Civil disobedience refers to the active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, or commands of a government or occupying international power, often as a peaceful form of protest. It is a method used by individuals or groups seeking to bring about social or political change, grounded in the belief that laws are unjust. Typically, civil disobedience aims to highlight moral issues or injustices and create public awareness. Notable figures in this movement include Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi, who used nonviolent resistance to challenge oppressive systems and advocate for civil rights and independence.