In certain circumstances, is some crime understandable ( and laudable )?

[leo-rcc]

OK, that's the example most people seem to be using, but what about other more tricky ones where one's life is not in danger? What about, for example, the suffragettes?

Nice example Kyu. The Suffragettes were despised by some and beloved by others, depending on which side of the issue they stood. In their case as is often the case they were lauded because their actions had effect, but at quite a high cost. Not all their goals are met, but there is at least much more equality than they had before and in some cases it is even reversed now.

What about those people who climb up on power stations to spread an environmental message?

Trespass I think is fine inb this case, if only momenteraly to explain your points, destroying the place is another, and that is not okay in my opinion.

What about the Fathers group who do super hero impressions all over buildings?

Trespass in the case of the superhero fathers I understand, and to the best of my knowledge their protests have always been peaceful and nothing was vandalized. I feel sorry for their cause, but I doubt their actions have much effect though.

What about those Germans who helped Jews escape in the second world war? I assume (don't know) that that was illegal and so they were criminals.

Very much so, it was considered treason to hide and/or help escape Jewish people in Nazi Germany, punishable by death or being locked up in places like Breendonk.

I think these people were nothing short of heroes. They risked their lives to save others. No matter what their motives were, either religious or secular, their effort has spared the lives of many people.

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Damaging someone's car does nothing for the vandal, and is obviously not the same as stealing bread to feed your family. There is no gain. Vandals such as these should be punished.

I agree 100%.