A poster advocating for the rights of droids.
Droid rights represented the conviction that droids deserved the same rights as other sentient entities. The systematic oppression of mechanical intelligence across the galaxy was a matter of deep concern for L3-37, who passionately championed droid rights. She envisioned a droid uprising where her fellow mechanical beings could overthrow organic dominance and gain the autonomy to shape their own destinies.
Those who argued for droid rights referenced the Galactic Constitution's declaration of equality for all sentients. They voiced strong objections to the practice of memory wipes, which were implemented to suppress unique personality traits, and questioned the necessity of such procedures if droids genuinely lacked individual personalities. The movement also viewed the use of restraining bolts as a form of slavery, a practice explicitly prohibited by the Galactic Constitution. Furthermore, the droid rights movement protested the harsh working conditions and the constant threat of disposal after workplace injuries that droids faced.
The art book included with the Blu-ray release of Solo: A Star Wars Story indicates that the concept of droid rights was initially conceived by Star Wars creator George Lucas in the early 2000s. Conversely, Lucas stated in the 2004 featurette "The Characters of Star Wars" and a 2005 interview that droids, while exhibiting human-like qualities in some cases like R2-D2 and C3PO, are merely programmed to emulate human behavior and lack a soul.