most people are new to public demonstration. it feels as if this will be a long ordeal. the minority stance will have to develop, if it’s going to be effective, seems like.
today i found this, from a seasoned veteran, it seems, an older woman from washington state, and i sort of wish everyone had it in their pockets. it’s re-affirmed some of my feelings.
basically, if the war protests resemble some of those WTO protests, it’s going to be difficult to be taken seriously by the majority. from what little i did observe of those, they seemed WAY unfocused. with lots of WAY ignorant people becoming liabilities to their cause.
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I began to participate in protest demonstrations in high school….first in support of environmental concerns and then against the war in Viet Nam (remember that I’m old). My softened memory of those events is that protesters, some holding signs, some chanting, some marching quietly, shared a common cause and intent. The demonstrations in which I participated, were serious occasions and with the exception of the birth of Earth Day and celebratory causes like that, there was a sense that we were engaged in serious business.
Things seemed to have changed.
Here in Olympia, we have an obnoxious day of protest, and I use that term lightly and most likely incorrectly, called May Day. It is held on May 1st here in Olympia it’s pretty much a goon fest. The participants dance in the street to somebody’s idea of a protest drum, many women go bare-chested and there are as many causes supported as there are participants. They are noisy, disruptive and all for nothing more than what appears to be a street festival. The common shared idea seems to be the ability to block traffic and walk on the yellow lines. I don’t know who they believe is actually listening to them and I think they do damage to other demonstration/protest efforts.
I mention this stupid event only because it is an glaring example of the turn that protesting in the US has taken. There is a certain expectation by most participants that a protest has to be “fun” and that they are somehow immune to consequences of such an effort. A ready and serious protester should know her/his cause, arrive prepared and be ready for the consequences of such an effort.
My suggestions:
First, realize that protesting is largely an event of speaking to the converted, but as a protester, you are putting a face to an issue. Make it a worthy effort and act respectfully.
Don’t hijack the crowd. If you throw a protest, then stick to the cause you advertise. Don’t introduce speakers who promote other issues. It will piss off your supporters. It’s like throwing a Tupperware party and selling Mary Kay. It’s dishonest.
Don’t diminish other efforts by linking your cause, especially if the efforts are not remotely connected. At one time, I worked at a college where the students were having a little sit-in to protest the firing of a staff member. They actually had the gall to hang a banner linking their issue to the 1989 tragedies in Tiananmen Square. That did it for me. I was against them from that point on.
If you are not serious about your cause, then go home. If you are, then carry your sign, be seen and stop expecting a street party. Protests are an important and valued right. Don’t screw it up by expecting to get away with breaking windows and throwing rocks. That is not how public opinion is swayed to your side. Protesting is serious business, treat it that way.
If you do manage to get arrested, then drop your expectation that your incarceration has to be comfortable. You have the right to representation, safe and ethical treatment and that’s pretty much it. If you don’t get take out while sitting in the cell, well, honey, that’s a consequence.
Protests are not the place for a family picnic. I cannot believe the number of people I see who bring their little children. I cannot for the life of me, understand why any sound-minded parent would put their babies and toddlers in a situation where they may face tear gas or mobs of people. When there are large groups of people and a pissed off law enforcement, things can get ugly. Children belong in a safer environment.
Don’t mingle your causes. The World Trade Organization protest in Seattle was the biggest mish mash of causes that I’ve ever seen. Although the WTO is a complicated organization affecting many different issues, I doubt that there were very many conversions of thought as a result of the 30,000 people speaking with 10,000 voices. It was also a shining example of why your kids need to be elsewhere. This protest was the first one that actually frightened me.
If you engage in a protest, you might not be treated with kid gloves. Of course you have the right to protest in safety….but you must exercise the maturity to make sure that your message actually gets heard and that you don’t co-opt your cause with childish whining and behavior.
These thoughts are thrown down without a great deal of thought and I know that I sound like an old woman, but I can only think that the antics that have taken face at most of the current demonstrations/protests are not a healthy sign for the preservation of this right. Take it seriously and make yourself heard and respected.
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A protester/demonstrator must have a goal in mind….just what is it you wish to accomplish? Why are you protesting? What are you protesting? Do you have a clear understanding of your issue? Can you clearly state your case? How are you going to protest? Why the heck are you doing this? And, do you understand your opposition?
It’s not enough to just say that those who disagree with you are stupid. You need to comprehend that which drives their passion, just as you must understand what drives your own. If you do not make this connection, both your own and theirs, you will never find common ground that can lead to mutual understanding.
The street march is a valuable tool. The value is in the numbers. Large numbers of people can be seen and see each other. It is highly empowering to the protester. It is also a way to garner publicity for your cause. There is nothing like 10,000 warm bodies marching down the middle of the street to bring a TV camera or two. However, you are at the mercy of the observer’s interpretation of what is going on as well and you risk guilt by association if something negative happens.
I very rarely march in protest. The last time was in opposition to a proposed nuclear power plant near where I lived. Most of the reasons I moved away from this kind of participation are for exactly the reasons outlined yesterday. I don’t find that it is a very effective or satisfying effort for me.
Instead, I write letters, lots of letters. Letter writing is a good way to stay in contact with those who are policy makers. There is a certain skill to this method that requires you to not only have the ability to clearly and concisely state your cause, but to do it in a way that will not alienate the reader. I use a number of different “voices” when I write, friendly cheeriness, angry defiance, fact filled, and personal stories.
Because letter writing actually leaves evidence of your stance, there are certain kinds of language to avoid in letter writing. For example, when writing to the POTUS (that would be President of the United States), it’s important that you refrain from threats. Even a nicely worded threat may get you a visit from the FBI or at the very least, get you on THE LIST. This is not a good place to be. Depending on who sits as POTUS, and what my issue happens to be, I usually write letters that tell personal stories and lately, in an effort to make my letters float to the surface, I write with a effort toward satire. It may not get the attention I hope for, but it makes me feel a lot better having had my say.
Another way I use my voice is in casting my ballot. My grandpa used to say that we don’t vote for a candidate, we vote against another. This is a rather dim view of the electoral process, but on occasion it is true and despite the oddity of the last presidential selection (see I won’t use the word election), I do have faith that it is an effective way to be heard.
During some elections, I am a campaigner. I pass out brochures and knock on doors and make phone calls. I stuff envelopes, I sport campaign buttons and bumper stickers, I carry signs in support of my candidate. SOME of my friends and family hate me during an election.
No matter where you stand on an issue, it is important to support the rights of others to state theirs. You don’t have to like or agree with those who do but honoring and respecting this right is an important way to be an American.
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okay, i’m ready.
