Learning Center

We keep you up-to-date on the latest tax changes and news in the industry.

Unforgettable Tax Protests Over the Last Century

Taxes are typically mundane, yet occasionally they ignite bizarre responses, ranging from performance art to digital resistance and even tractor blockades. Here's a look at five tax protests that defied norms over the past century.

1. Cranford, New Jersey's Break-dancer Protest – 2025

During a routine town hall in Cranford, New Jersey, one resident transformed a mundane property tax discussion into an extraordinary spectacle. Unexpectedly, a man dressed in business casual began executing break-dance moves, including spins and moonwalks. His protest was a reaction to his property taxes soaring beyond the projected hike, with a $400 estimated increase escalating to almost $900, according to the local ABC affiliate. Using his performance to capture media attention, he reframed typical tax protests into a statement of absurdity, drawing attention to the discontent surrounding unchecked taxation.

2. Uganda's Social Media 'Gossip Tax' Revolt – 2018

In July 2018, Uganda's government imposed a daily tax of 200 shillings (about US $0.05) on social media users accessing platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. This unusual tax, termed a “gossip tax” by President Museveni, aimed at suppressing frivolous online discussions, instead sparked protests as many viewed it as an attack on free speech, especially among the youth. A protest involving 200 marchers in Kampala led by Bobi Wine highlighted the unrest. Studies showed social media engagement dropped by 13%, yet organized resistance increased by 47%. This demonstrates how taxation targeting communication platforms can trigger an activist response.

3. France's 'Bonnets Rouges' in Brittany – 2013

In 2013, the rugged region of Brittany, France, witnessed the rise of the "Bonnets Rouges" movement against a truck "écotaxe." Protesters in Brittany burned toll-gantries and orchestrated widespread disruptions, inspired by 17th-century revolutionary symbols, the red caps. Amid an economically trying time, the tax posed a significant burden on local transport, heightening regional tensions. The French government ultimately suspended the tax, albeit with significant financial repercussions, showcasing the power of symbolic protest when economic strain is at a tipping point.

4. Egba Women's Tax Revolt in Nigeria – Late 1940s

In the late 1940s, Abeokuta, Nigeria, then under British colonial rule, became the scene of the Egba Women's Tax Revolt. The flat-rate tax on women, lacking fair representation, was resisted by the women through protests and trading stalls strikes. This conflict intertwined economic, gender, and cultural issues, reflecting deeper grievances than mere taxation. The revolt highlighted how taxation policies can incite substantial protest when imposed upon marginalized communities without representation.

Bonus: The Whiskey Rebellion in Pennsylvania, USA – 1791-94

The Whiskey Rebellion represents an early American uprising against federal excise taxes on distilled spirits. Small frontier farmers, needing whiskey for economic livelihood, violently resisted the tax, leading to a federal military response. This set a historical precedent for how governments address tax-related revolts.The Whiskey Rebellion underscores how taxes deeply tied to cultural identity can erupt into large-scale conflicts.

Why This Matters

These cases reveal that tax issues transcend financial concerns—they intersect with identity, representation, and fairness. When taxes are symbolic, new, or seen as inequitable, unconventional protests often emerge. Whether through performance, destruction, or civil disobedience, individuals use imaginative methods to vocalize frustration, highlighting how tax policies resonate beyond mere regulation into the realm of personal impact.

Share this article...

Want our best tax and accounting tips and insights delivered to your inbox?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .