standing up for
- defendingProtecting against harm
- advocatingPublicly supporting a cause
- protectingKeeping from harm
- courageFortitude facing danger
- backboneVertebral column, or courage
speaking out · fighting for · championing · supporting · brave · confronting · assertive · loyalty · justice · voice · rallying · shield · bold · principle · honor · defiant · resistance · solidarity
defense/advocacy vs. opposition
standing up forstanding up against
Actively opposing or resisting
opposing · attacking · denouncing · undermining · turning against
courage/action vs. passivity
standing up forlooking the other way
Deliberately ignoring wrongdoing
doing nothing · standing by · keeping quiet · turning a blind eye · biting one's tongue
loyalty/solidarity vs. betrayal
standing up forbetraying
Breaking trust or loyalty
abandoning · selling out · deserting · backstabbing · forsaking