Different Forms of Dissent in Anti-Deportation Activism in Finland: From Refugee Protests to Civil Disobedience

This chapter explores different phases and forms of anti-deportation activism in Finland since the beginning of the so-called European refugee crisis. In analysing various forms of dissent, it demonstrates that while anti-deportation activists have utilised a wide variety of methods in different phases very creatively, there have been only a few explicit cases of civil disobedience. This invites the question of why it has not featured as a more attractive form of dissent in Finnish anti-deportation activism, given that it is more commonly used elsewhere and by some other Finnish social movements. The chapter, therefore, also discusses the potential reasons behind the limited utilisation of civil disobedience, based on thematic interviews conducted with anti-deportation activists and solidarity actors. The analysis concludes that civil disobedience is not necessarily considered an efficient form of dissent in anti-deportation activism as it is not always practically possible to utilise it in stopping deportations; it may result in decreasing the already low public support for the anti-deportation cause through negative publicity; and, as a controversial method, it is considered risky also in terms of movement or organisational image, as well as individual safety and well-being of the disobedient subject, especially if a female activist.