Sure, here's an AP Gov exam question on the topic of protest and civil disobedience:
Question: What are the fundamental differences between protest and civil disobedience in the context of exercising the right to free speech and assembly?
Answer: Protest and civil disobedience are both forms of expressing dissent or dissatisfaction, but they differ in their methods and goals.
Protest: Protest refers to the act of expressing strong disapproval or objection to a particular policy, action, or situation, often through organized public demonstrations, marches, rallies, or gatherings. It is a constitutionally protected form of free speech and assembly under the First Amendment. The primary goal of protest is to raise awareness, mobilize public opinion, and influence policy or decision-making through non-violent means.
Civil Disobedience: Civil disobedience involves the deliberate violation of a specific law or regulation as a form of peaceful resistance to perceived injustice. It is a deliberate and public act of disobedience that typically involves non-violent lawbreaking, such as sit-ins, boycotts, or other forms of passive resistance. Civil disobedience is based on the idea that individuals have a moral obligation to resist unjust laws or policies. Its goal is to bring attention to an unjust law or practice, prompt change, and appeal to the conscience of the public or government officials.
In summary, while both protest and civil disobedience are forms of expressing dissent, protest involves nonviolent public demonstrations to influence public opinion and policy, while civil disobedience involves intentional nonviolent violation of specific laws or regulations to challenge perceived injustice.