11 Times the Public Forced a Law to Be Repealed
These are real moments when everyday people pushed back against bad laws — and won.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Laws are not set in stone, especially when they face public backlash. In these 11 cases, pressure from protests, petitions, legal action, and sustained outrage led to laws being repealed, rewritten, or abandoned. These examples prove that when people organize and speak up, change really can happen — even at the highest levels of government.
1. Prohibition (U.S., 1920–1933)
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The 18th Amendment banned alcohol in the United States, but enforcement failed, and crime rose sharply. Ordinary people kept drinking in secret, and bootlegging became a major criminal enterprise. Public opinion turned against the law as people grew tired of the violence and hypocrisy. It was repealed by the 21st Amendment in 1933 — the only time a constitutional amendment has been undone by another.
2. Poll Tax (U.K., 1990)
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The Community Charge, known as the poll tax, was introduced in the U.K. under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. It placed a flat tax on every adult regardless of income, hitting low earners the hardest. Massive protests and riots broke out across the country. The government repealed it, and the public backlash contributed to Thatcher’s resignation.
3. SOPA and PIPA (U.S., 2012)
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The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) aimed to block access to websites accused of copyright violations. Critics said the laws threatened internet freedom and could be abused. Massive online protests, including blackouts by major websites like Wikipedia and Reddit, forced lawmakers to back down. The bills were shelved after widespread public opposition.
4. Article 24 of Spain’s Gag Law (2015–2022)
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Spain passed a law that fined citizens for recording police officers on duty. Activists argued it limited press freedom and public accountability. After years of pressure from journalists, rights groups, and international watchdogs, the law was revised in 2022. Public pushback forced the government to protect the right to record authorities in public.
5. Section 28 (U.K., 1988–2003)
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Section 28 was a British law that banned the “promotion” of homosexuality in schools. It caused fear among teachers and isolated LGBTQ+ students. Public protests, celebrity campaigns, and shifting public opinion led to its repeal in Scotland in 2000 and in England and Wales by 2003. It remains a key example of a grassroots fight for equality.
6. Net Neutrality Rollback (U.S., 2017–present)
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When the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) repealed net neutrality rules in 2017, millions of Americans responded with protests, lawsuits, and online campaigns. Though the repeal went through, public pressure has kept the issue alive. Several states passed their own net neutrality laws, and there’s an ongoing movement to restore federal protections. It’s one of the most active digital rights campaigns today.
7. Anti-Mask Law (Hong Kong, 2019)
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Hong Kong’s government passed a law banning masks during protests to identify demonstrators. Protesters continued wearing masks in defiance, and legal groups challenged the ban. The court eventually ruled parts of the law unconstitutional. Public resistance and legal action forced the government to scale it back.
8. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (U.S., 1993–2011)
Nate Gowdy Photography on Wikimedia Commons
This U.S. military policy banned openly gay and lesbian service members from serving. It forced people to hide who they were or risk being discharged. Activists, veterans, and the public pushed for change over many years. In 2011, the law was repealed after sustained advocacy and changing public attitudes.
9. Delhi’s Anti-Begging Law (India, 2018)
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India’s capital had a colonial-era law that criminalized begging, punishing the poor instead of helping them. In 2018, the Delhi High Court ruled the law unconstitutional after growing criticism from rights groups and public interest litigation. The ruling argued that poverty isn’t a crime. The government was forced to drop the law.
10. 3 Strikes Law (California, U.S., 1994–2012 revision)
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California’s “Three Strikes” law gave long sentences to repeat offenders, including nonviolent ones. Over time, it led to overcrowded prisons and harsh punishments for minor crimes. Voters supported reform after years of advocacy and personal stories highlighting injustice. In 2012, the law was amended to focus only on violent offenses.
11. Bathroom Bill (North Carolina, U.S., 2016–2017)
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North Carolina passed a law requiring people to use public bathrooms based on the gender listed on their birth certificate. The law sparked national protests, business boycotts, and criticism from civil rights groups. The backlash caused major economic losses and damaged the state’s reputation. In 2017, the bill was partially repealed under public and political pressure.