Democratic theory has undergone a much discussed “deliberative turn” in recent years, according to which “the essence of democracy itself is now widely taken to be deliberation, as opposed to voting, interest aggregation, constitutional rights, or even self-government.”1 Deliberative democrats place mutual respect, epistemic reason-giving, and inclusive dialogue at the center of public life.2 The philosophical study of civil disobedience has simultaneously undergone a notable “communicative turn,” such that theorists increasingly define this form of protest as “a way of engaging in dialogue.”3 The legitimacy of civil disobedience is related to its role as an unconventional but essentially respectful means of conveying oppositional arguments to publics and authorities.