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Year 11

What is the right to protest within a democracy with the rule of law?

I can describe what the right to protest is and explain how it links to our other rights in a democratic society.

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Year 11

What is the right to protest within a democracy with the rule of law?

I can describe what the right to protest is and explain how it links to our other rights in a democratic society.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The right to protest is a fundamental aspect of democratic participation.
  2. Protests can take many forms, including marches, sit-ins, and online activism.
  3. In a democracy, peaceful protest is an important mechanism to hold those in power accountable.
  4. Legal frameworks, such as public order laws, ensure protests remain peaceful and within the bounds of the law.

Keywords

  • Protest - a public demonstration or action expressing disapproval or objection to a policy, decision, or situation, often aimed at raising awareness or demanding change

  • Public order - the state of peace and security, where laws and regulations are followed to maintain the safety and functioning of communities without disruption or disorder

  • Citizen - a person who was born in a particular country and has certain rights or has been given certain rights because of having lived there

Common misconception

People can protest anytime and anywhere without any restrictions.

While the right to protest is fundamental in a democracy, it is subject to certain limitations. Protests must comply with laws regarding public safety and order, and respect the rights of others.


To help you plan your year 11 citizenship lesson on: What is the right to protest within a democracy with the rule of law?, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Ask pupils to reflect on any local or global protests they’ve heard about or come across in the media, and relate these examples to the lesson’s content on legal frameworks and peaceful demonstrations.
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Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
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Adult supervision recommended

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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does the rule of law ensure?
that only elected officials must follow the law
Correct answer: that everyone, including those in power, is subject to the same laws
that leaders can create their own rules when necessary
that only serious crimes are subject to legal consequences
Q2.
Which of the following was a purpose of Magna Carta?
to give the king total control over his subjects
to ensure the monarchy remained above the law
Correct answer: to establish that no one, not even the king, was above the law
to abolish the monarchy and create a democracy
Q3.
Match the terms with the correct definitions.
Correct Answer:rights,fundamental freedoms and protections guaranteed to all individuals
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fundamental freedoms and protections guaranteed to all individuals

Correct Answer:legislation,laws created by elected representatives
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laws created by elected representatives

Correct Answer:democracy,a system of government where citizens vote for their representatives
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a system of government where citizens vote for their representatives

Q4.
Which act was passed in 1998 to ensure citizens rights were protected?
Correct Answer: Human Rights, The Human Rights Act, Human Rights Act
Q5.
Which of the following is a key characteristic of democratic governance?
Laws are created by a single leader without input from citizens.
Citizens can be exempt from laws if they disagree with them.
Correct answer: Citizens elect representatives to create and enforce laws.
Only government officials are subject to the law.
Q6.
What is a key feature of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)?
It legally binds all governments to follow its principles.
Correct answer: It sets a global standard for human rights, though it is not legally binding.
It only applies to democratic countries.
It focuses solely on economic rights.

Exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
Name the type of protest which involves citizens occupying an area, often by refusing to move.
Correct Answer: sit-in, sit in
Q2.
Which of the following statements is true about the right to protest in the UK?
Correct answer: Citizens have the right to protest, but the Government can impose restrictions.
Protests are always allowed, even if they block emergency services.
Protests are banned if they cause any inconvenience to public life.
Citizens can protest at any time, anywhere, without restrictions.
Q3.
Match the term with its correct definition.
Correct Answer:protest,a public action expressing disapproval, aimed at raising awareness
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a public action expressing disapproval, aimed at raising awareness

Correct Answer:public order,the state of peace and security maintained by laws
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the state of peace and security maintained by laws

Correct Answer:citizen,a recognised member of a community with rights and responsibilities
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a recognised member of a community with rights and responsibilities

Q4.
Which of the following best explains why the right to protest is important in a democracy?
It allows people to break laws when they disagree with the Government.
It ensures that protests always result in immediate political change.
Correct answer: It enables citizens to hold the Government accountable and demand change.
It allows people to cause serious disruption to services to raise awareness.
Q5.
Which of the following situations would likely result in a lawful restriction on a protest in the UK?
Correct answer: A protest that blocks emergency services and threatens public safety.
A protest that gathers in a public park with prior permission.
A peaceful protest that does not block roads or disrupt public services.
A peaceful march with advance notice given to the police.