How to fuel your protest
Protests have become a big part of our daily life. For 2020 alone, there are 87 protest movements with a specific page on Wikipedia, from global movements like the school strike for climate action to national protests like the “gilets jaunes” against the President of France Emmanuel Macron. Why were some more impactful than others?
Before we consider what the ingredients of their success are, let us look at the different terms. A protest means an act of opposition against an idea or a political decision. It is a different structure than a campaign. Sometimes a protest starts from an individual action and can end up in mass demonstrations. Demonstrations, also known as marches, are planned and organised marches. However, not every demonstrations is a protest. Demonstrations usually aim to be peaceful and involve authorities. Finally, there is the strike. In a strike, workers temporarily stop working either to gain a concession from an employer or in support of a broader movement.
How is a protest different from a campaign?
A campaign covers a range of activities intended to change a policy or behaviour: from signing a petition to an uprising with built-in civil disobedience. The term protest can describe any form of legal, illegal or civil revolts. For instance, a crowd can gather to oppose certain legislation without necessarily demanding change.
The way campaigns and protests are carried out differs:
Campaigns are a series of activities to achieve a specific goal through a planned process. They (should) happen within a specific time frame and follow performance indicators. Conversely, a protest is often improvised and does not necessarily include any advance steps, process planning or a timeline.
Protests can be legal or illegal. A protest may at times be the target of a counter-protest. In that sense, protests are considered an action of popular self-expression. Individual means of expression are authentic and so unique that they can drive division. That is why protesters and counter-protesters sometimes violently clash. Campaigns, in contrast, are more self-inclusive aiming to achieve a commonly defined goal.
Campaigners need training to make an impact. Campaign training improves activists' skills in communication, fundraising, project management and more, which is essential tosucceed. A good course should also teach you how to facilitate relations between participants across barriers of class, gender, race, and status. Many campaigns target new participants to reach more segments of society.
Protests are not structured in the same way. Participants get and give little feedback on how they are doing and what they are doing. Finding indicators that guide a protest is tricky because it might only happen once and may not work under other circumstances.
Both campaigns and protests are self-conscious activities. They are, however, different forms of how to use individual voices to put pressure on authority, shift the balance of power, challenge subordination or promote new values.
Engage in urgent matters
Each of the initiatives described below created large-scale participation in different parts of the world. One thing they have in common is that they called for immediate social change. If the matter is urgent, chances are higher that the protest succeeds. Understanding what makes matters urgent will make it easier to assess the chances of success.
Invading Iraq
On 12 September 2002, US President George W. Bush warned of Iraq’s being a threat at the UN General Assembly. Almost two weeks later, Prime Minister Tony Blair announced the UK’s support. Within 72 hours, 150,000 people joined an anti-war rally that grew to 10 million people demonstrating worldwide in opposition to the U.S. invasion of Iraq by February 2003.
Invite protesters to join
Is the goal of our protest to vent frustration or to solve problems? Remember that improving a situation or fending off a problem requires patience and stamina. If you want to engaged protestors, keep them in the loop and offer opportunities to act.
Marching with women
He “just starts kissing them” or even “grab them by the p***”. Donald Trump has offended numerous women throughout his life. State-wide protests emerged the day after his inauguration. In March 2017, an estimated ten million people marched to voice their support for human rights. They included women and reproductive rights, criminal justice, rights of immigrants, and rights of people with disabilities and transgender people.
Violent actions can occur. Sometimes supporters clash with the police or a counter-protest. If our aim is to be heard, violence will not get us closer to the goal. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind." Peaceful resistance helps you earn respect and make an impact.
Link it to a global concern
One local protest can get attention. A global movement can lead to action. Protests related to a universal theme attract more participation. If your initiative taps into widespread concern, you have better chances to turn it into a great movement.
Striking for the climate
In August 2015, a teenager started protesting in front of the Swedish Parliament calling for climate action. Greta Thunberg inspired young people and students across the world to take to the streets. The biggest demonstration took place in September 2019. An estimated six million people marched against governments that would not reduce CO2 emissions drastically to stop climate change.
Black Lives Matter
Trayvon Benjamin Martin was shot dead in Florida before he turned 18. His murderer, a neighbourhood watch coordinator, claimed self-defence and was acquitted. Protests started in different States bringing diverse groups together. In May 2020, an estimated 26 million people participated in demonstrations against the killing of George Floyd and police brutality. The protesters asked for justice and an end to institutional racism.
https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/black-lives-matter-makes-history/
Public polls show that equality, sustainability and fighting class privileges are issues of widespread concern. This means many segments of the population will be interested in the protest. Advocating for inclusion has advantages but make sure that the organisers reflect the diversity of the issue.
Three tips to make your protests more visible
Demonstrate why it is a matter of urgency.
Invite supporters to join a movement.
Link your local protest to a global campaign.
- written by Elif Akyüz, elif[at]thedandeliongroup.eu
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