Imagine that you are a striking worker in 1905 who is being tried in court for your act of rebellion. Draft the speech you would make in your defence. Act out your speech for your class.

Honorable Judge, Esteemed Members of the Court, and Fellow Citizens,

I stand before you today, not as a criminal, but as a voice—a voice of the oppressed, the weary, and the downtrodden. I am but a humble worker, a cog in the vast machinery of labour, and yet my actions have brought me to this solemn chamber.

Allow me to address the charges against me—the charge of rebellion. Yes, I admit it—I rebelled. But let us delve deeper into the roots of this rebellion, for it is not born of malice or anarchy. It is born of desperation, of hunger, and of the relentless grind that crushes our bones and spirits. Yes, I stand accused, but what of the price we pay daily? The price of broken bodies, shattered dreams, and families torn apart. Our rebellion is not a crime; it is a testament to our resilience, our unwavering belief that a better world is possible.