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Forum Post: when we protest.... does it do any good?

Posted 12 years ago on March 2, 2012, 4:40 p.m. EST by bobjr508atyahoocom (22) from Nantucket, MA
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

ive been reading a lot about the vietnam war protests, occupy, corraling, kettling and black bloc, etc. can someone let me in on if it does us any good to do this? wouldnt we be better off just having silent marches, silent protests and general assemblies? you know the pig nazis love using riot gear. please fire me a response or email....thanks

26 Comments

26 Comments


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[-] 6 points by jart (1186) from New York, NY 12 years ago

When the government fights back, it's because they're afraid of you. If you don't don't make the people in power scared of losing their power, you're doing it wrong.

[-] 1 points by BlackSun (275) from Agua León, BC 12 years ago

So if protesters occupy a building that doensn't belong to them (trespassing ) to include trashing a city hall and the police react that means they are afraid?

[-] 3 points by frogmanofborneo (602) from New York, NY 12 years ago

Yes, they are afraid when the masses lose their fear and awe.

[-] 1 points by alexrai (851) 12 years ago

Terrified actually. This entire system of haves and have notes is predicated on the right of exclusion, it really strikes close to the core.

[-] 1 points by GypsyKing (8708) 12 years ago

Protest has been at the heart of every successful movement for change. The reasons seem so clear to me that I won't even bother ennumerating them here.

[-] 1 points by thejuice (7) 12 years ago

Has it ever worked in our favor? It makes people look like fools in a way. Just don't know how you can do it day in and day out and come out with nothing accomplished. I understand its "freedom of speech" or what you want to call it but really who is listening

[-] 1 points by thejuice (7) 12 years ago

To my older comment it was sour and I apologize. I for one will stand!

[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 12 years ago

We protest because we have a voice, because we have the first amendment where others don't, we protest because need to be the voice and forum that others do not have. From the wealthiest country to the poorest corners of the earth we refuse to participate in doing this to people. We stand with people like these and have an obligation as a citizen run democracy to not allow our companies or countries to cause or participate in things like this...

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eqW7qwY1lR4/TqA6G1BwbyI/AAAAAAAADC0/sJEZYmIOAs8/s1600/starving-child-sudan.jpg we are the 99 percent we will fight the one percent from hording the planets abundance from people like these... We refuse to be bystanders to this... http://lboudouani.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/starvation3.jpg the earth had plenty - Wall Street has it now and they decide who gets the scraps ... but not for long

[-] 1 points by demarquis (15) 12 years ago

It's already made a difference. But what you are alluding to is actually a division within the movement, between what you might call the "reformers" who want to improve the system, and the "revolutionaries" who want to replace the system.

"Silent Protests" are how the Egyptian revolution got started, but not how it ended. The rule general rule is to stick to non-confrontational non-violence except in self-defense.

Most recently Cris Hedges started a minor controversy and debate when he spoke out publically against black bloc tactices. Here is a relatively sophisticated analysis: http://open.salon.com/blog/addisonpg/2012/02/28/opeds_debate_over_occupy_tactics_an_invented_controversy

From the article: "Instead, it is better to view Occupy as part of a resurgent fight-back movement, which has the potential to inspire action and confrontation against capitalism on many different fronts, and ultimately aim for its overthrow. We are still a long way from there. That will require taking on the hard strategic questions: how to revive a fighting labor movement of organized and unorganized workers; how to build organization and leadership in the most oppressed communities; and how to take the “occupy” idea into the struggles at the workplace and against evictions and foreclosures, budget cuts and school closures."

[-] 1 points by Underdog (2971) from Clermont, FL 12 years ago

Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

The status quo cannot go on forever.

Change is the fundamental constant of the universe.

Protest movements can and do change the world. Occupy is among noble historical company.

[-] 1 points by bobjr508atyahoocom (22) from Nantucket, MA 12 years ago

THERISING........didnt gandhi admit nonviolence wouldnt have worked against brits if they werent so concerned about how the rest of the world sees them?

[-] 1 points by doitagain (234) from Brooklyn, NY 12 years ago

everybody understand that nonviolent movement cannot change anything in the current situation. But could bring media attention as result of violent actions. Many countries abroad sees Us like an example of democracy. this is how the rest of the world will flipped out in flame of cataclysis

[-] 1 points by therising (6643) 12 years ago

Both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi along with their followers helped make major changes through protests. Martin Luther King, Jr. said this about creating tension. "Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks to so dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored. My citing the creation of tension as part of the work of the nonviolent-resister may sound rather shocking. But I must confess that I am not afraid of the word "tension." I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth. Just as Socrates felt that it was necessary to create a tension in the mind so that individuals could rise from the bondage of myths and half-truths to the unfettered realm of creative analysis and objective appraisal, we must we see the need for nonviolent gadflies to create the kind of tension in society that will help men rise from the dark depths of prejudice and racism to the majestic heights of understanding and brotherhood."

"The purpose of our direct-action program is to create a situation so crisis-packed that it will inevitably open the door to negotiation. I therefore concur with you in your call for negotiation."

Here's the entire "Letter from the Birmingham Jail": http://abacus.bates.edu/admin/offices/dos/mlk/letter.html . It's a treasure and is as timely as ever.

Direct action with large numbers of people can make a real difference. Consider this other quote from Martin Luther King, Jr., an occupier from back in the day: "A delegation of poor people can walk into a high official’s office with a carefully, collectively prepared list of demands. (If you’re poor, if you’re unemployed anyway, you can choose to stay in Washington as long as the struggle needs you.) And if that official says, ‘But Congress would have to approve this,’ or, ‘But the President would have to be consulted on that,’ you can say, ‘All right, we’ll wait.’ And you can settle down in his office for as long a stay as necessary."

What we're talking about here is forcing the hand of congress nonviolently as has been done before. Gandhi and King's tactics work. Let's use them.

[-] 1 points by badlimey (48) 12 years ago

The answer is no in the long run, you can only beat the system by utilizing the system. It would be a simple strategy to plant agitators in an otherwise peaceful protest so they can enact Homeland Security rules and crush the movement with violence.

Beat them at their own game through the wonderful world of PR and Super Pacs.

[-] 1 points by Riley2011 (110) from New Britain, CT 12 years ago

I think that it does make a difference...look at UC Santa Cruz. I don't mean to be "preachy" but seeing those kids (damn aging myself) out there fighting gives you hope. We can't stand still. Hey, the cops are struggling to feed their families too and soon will realize that we are in this together. More and more people are falling below the debt ceiling...and for the rest of us, well i can't speak for everyone, but there is a fight to stay above water. We can't be silent. How many more people have to lose their homes?
Who is going to pay for all of these trillions spent... Some on, do the math- even if you have all of the rich people paying 70% , we would still be in big trouble. D you know who is going to get hit? The middle class American. You see, the "other side" will come silently and will hide behind boardrooms to make sure that we are taxed more, spending more, etc... They will make money and we will be fighting for basics.

[-] 1 points by badlimey (48) 12 years ago

The cops in Houston are not struggling to feed their families. The average rate of overtime is in the region of $34.00 an hour and many of them make well over 6 figures.

[-] 1 points by jph (2652) 12 years ago

the big pay off,. .

[-] 1 points by ChemLady (576) 12 years ago

Protest alone only indicates a problem to the public. Sometimes the public gets behind you, in the case of the Viet Nam war and civil rights over reaction by the authorities drew public support. That translated into political support over time and things changed.

Meeting quietly in some obscure location debating and voting of things is useless in itself. If Occupy stays hidden it becomes a fringe movement. Groups need some exposure. To accomplish anything they need to develop support beyond simple awareness of a problem.

[-] 1 points by badlimey (48) 12 years ago

Thank you for your eloquent comment. This Sunday I will attend my first GA meeting in Houston and I will do everything I possibly can to make this a mainstream movement, with leadership, and with balls, great big ones.

PS Dear Homeland Security,

I know you monitor this forum and I am not advocating violence of any sort so kiss my white ass.

[-] 1 points by ChemLady (576) 12 years ago

Well good luck with whatever it is you intend to do. The non-leaders seem to be of the opinion that protest alone is enough and that the system is beyond hope.

[-] 1 points by DayumShame (148) 12 years ago

"F**k Tha Police"

[-] 1 points by newbornsheep (3) 12 years ago

since you people throw smoke bombs at the white house, tell me are you?

[-] 0 points by badlimey (48) 12 years ago

Who are "You People"? Sounds very much like a statement that would come from the mouth of a Republican, evangelical Christian.

I am a member of this movement and I haven't thrown anything at anyone with the exception of the truth!

[-] 0 points by BlackSun (275) from Agua León, BC 12 years ago

Interesting label. How do you do that?

[-] 1 points by badlimey (48) 12 years ago

I don't like hypocrisy, plain and simple.

[-] 1 points by BlackSun (275) from Agua León, BC 12 years ago

But how do you know he's a republican evangelical Christian etc..?

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