Civil disobedience is an illegal act committed openly. The illegal act is an attempt to change a law or political decision. These protests are shaped by the activists’ moral convictions that they are doing the right thing. The illegal acts are non-violent. They must also be limited to a specific case. Those who commit civil disobedience must conform to all other laws and regulations.

Punishment
If you break the law, for example by not following police instructions, thereaction can be serious. If the protest devolves into vandalism or violence it is no longer considered civil disobedience. These actions are punished much more harshly.

The Alta controversy’s reprecussions
More than a thousand Alta activists received more than 5 million NOK in fines. Four of the leaders for the People’s Campaign were convicted of sedition, receiving suspended sentences or high fines. Per Flatberg was one of them. In 2008 Per Flatberg was awarded the King’s Medal of Merit in gold. The medal is awarded for meritorious achievements.