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I'm an idiot, I just realized what the point of protests is (hexbear.net)

submitted 1 month ago by CommunistCuddlefish@hexbear.net to c/chapotraphouse@hexbear.net

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Protests aren't about sending a message to the government. The government doesn't give a shit and will not listen. Protests are about sending a message to the people, about signaling what should be accepted and what should not. Protests are about spreading an idea, about leading by example, about signalling to others "hey, you're not alone in your discontent!"

I think the very word "protest" is wrong. They aren't protests. They're demonstrations.

The anti-ICE demonstrations will not convince an evil government to stop abducting people. But they do send the message to everyone else that we don't have to and in fact should not let ICE abduct our neighbors. The anti-genocide demonstrations were never going to stop genocidal western governments from helping Israel slaughter civilians, but they did help spread a message around the world that people need to do something to try to stop it.

I feel like I should have known this already.

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[-] tocopherol@hexbear.net 27 points 1 month ago

If only so many people saying to wave US flags or make sure to be extra extra peaceful and be good compliant citizens so the fascists treat us nicely could understand that. This shit is wrong so we have to stand up and say we see it and we have the numbers to stop it. It's a step on the path, it's not the solution itself.

I remember an older mom saying to me in 2020 something like, "it's making me cry seeing all you people out here, it gives me hope that someone will stand up for my children if they're in trouble, that there are people who can see that this is wrong." It's people like that who it's for to me. I don't want the victims of imperialism, racism and other forms of violence to feel alone or like the masses of the world are ignorant to what's going on. And maybe some pigs will recognize the sincerity and strength of the people and doubt their mission. It builds solidarity, hope, and activates something indescribable when you are marching with crowds of people ready to stand firm against state violence.