Retaliatory arrest and prosecution

Retaliatory arrest and prosecution is when someone in power, like a police officer or a government official, punishes someone for speaking out or exercising their rights. So, just like when mommy or daddy gets upset when you tell them something they don't like, sometimes people in power can get upset when adults express their opinions or do something they don't like.

For example, let's say that you and your friend are playing outside and a police officer comes by and asks you what you're doing. If you say something they don't like, like maybe you firmly disagree with the police officer, sometimes they might get angry and punish you by arresting you or charging you with a crime.

This is very wrong and unfair, just like how it's not right for mommy or daddy to punish you just because you don't agree with them. Good people in power should always respect people's rights and not use their position to punish others.