There is no excuse in the United States - where our First Amendment guarantees ample means for the people to speak their minds and otherwise peacefully seek change - to resort to lawbreaking to try to bring about change.
But some seem to believe that breaking the law to "get their way" on a political matter is acceptable.
In Wisconsin, union members demonstrating against a sensible plan to limit government workers' collective-bargaining "rights" clogged the Capitol for weeks, often staying overnight in violation of administrative rules at the building. A judge finally had to order their expulsion.
Then, after the Wisconsin Senate approved the limits on collective bargaining, protesters massed at the Capitol and tried to block lawmakers in the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature from entering their chamber to vote on the bill.
That's government by mob force, not by rule of law!
People have differing views on the dispute in Wisconsin, and peaceful demonstrations are protected by the First Amendment, provided they adhere to reasonable time, place and manner restrictions. But state officials estimate that the protesters have done millions of dollars in damage inside and outside the building. That is not defensible, much less constitutionally protected.
An unrelated case in Utah also shows the contempt with which some view the rule of law. There, an environmentalist has been convicted of running up the bids at a federal auction for oil and gas leases. His goal was to prevent drilling by making the leases impossible to afford. But his $1.8 million bids were false because he did not have the money to cover them. So he appropriately faces possible prison time.
Speaking up in dissent is a cherished American liberty and tradition. Trying to bring about change through fraud or violation of legitimate laws is not.