Civil violence

Groups of citizens, armed or unarmed, may initiate violent actions with the intent to demonstrate their opinion or position, to destroy or sequester property, to prevent the actions of certain persons, or to injure or kill others. Included in civil violence, therefore are: civil disobedience of certain types such as illegal sit-ins; certain kinds of actions which are illegal in labour disputes (on both sides), as well as in labour disputes with government; riots; organized terrorism; insurrection; and (taking citizenry not to exclude illegal militia) and vigilantism. The objectives of civil violence are frequently economic and political change, but may also be focused on religious, minority or other issues. The term 'civil violence' may be loosely applied to wartime conditions in a country not officially at war, where both legal and illegal militia are engaged.