As Canada watches protests, blockades, and other actions from Wet'suwet'en land defenders and their allies, we are reminded that protest and civil disobedience are essential to a free and democratic society.

What purpose does direct action serve? For whom? Why not try other means to achieve your ends? In other words: Why protest?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks about protest, civil disobedience, revolt, and revolution with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, curation editor at Buzzfeed News and co-host of the CBC podcast Party Lines.