The colonists reacted to the Stamp Act with widespread outrage and organized protest. They viewed the act as a violation of their rights because it imposed direct taxation without their consent or representation in the British Parliament. This led to the slogan "no taxation without representation." The reaction included public protests, boycotts of British goods, attacks on tax collectors, and the formation of secret organizations like the Sons of Liberty. The Stamp Act Congress convened in 1765 to draft the Declaration of Rights and Grievances, asserting that only colonial assemblies had the legal authority to tax the colonists and that they were entitled to the same rights as British citizens living in Britain. The intense opposition eventually caused all stamp agents to resign before the act took effect and resulted in strong political resistance throughout the colonies.