Velshi: This is how single, small acts of courage become many, and many become unstoppable

Historical Context & Social Impact - The 1952 Defiance Campaign in South Africa was a pivotal organized effort against apartheid, challenging segregation laws head-on [4][5] - Volunteers deliberately violated segregation laws, choosing jail over fines to delegitimize the unjust laws [5][6] - The campaign transformed resistance from scattered protests into a nationwide act of conscience, influencing later civil rights movements [10][11][12] Strategic & Ethical Considerations - The core strategy of nonviolent defiance was to expose the government's injustice by overwhelming the system with peaceful protesters [8][9] - The movement emphasized moral and physical endurance, preparing activists for the hardships of civil disobedience [6][7] - The campaign highlighted the government's moral failing when it resorts to jailing citizens for exercising basic rights [8][9] Quantitative Impact & Government Response - Within 6 months, over 8,000 people were arrested, demonstrating the scale of the defiance [8] - The government responded with new laws that expanded police powers and lengthened sentences, indicating the campaign's impact [8] - A five pound fine was roughly a month's wages for a working person, illustrating the economic sacrifice made by volunteers [5]