Protesting: Why Bother?

Yesterday, American Street's eRobin proposed the following: We need a march on Washington against the Bush Agenda. I’m suggesting August 14, the day that FDR signed Social Security into law or August 28, the anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington. It's a good post which emphasizes the importance of activism on the ground. She closes with the following questions: "What in the name of Heaven is stopping us? Are our hobbies interfering with our chores?"


I wanted to wait a while before responding because when people are implored to act - at least act in a way that doesn't involve something like "contact your representatives" or "sign this petition" - the usual suspects who usually have much to say become eerily silent. Sure enough, 24 hours later, not a single response. I'm reposting my reply here to preserve it and, hopefully, provide a little food for thought.

1. Arvin Says:
March 24th, 2005 at 9:32 am
No responses yet? Funny how even the loudest liberal blogophiles get conspicuously quiet as soon as the discussion turns to non-keyboard related action. It’s also why we get our asses stomped every day by the Fascist Right.

The short of it is that too many of us doubt our ability to impact politics by mobilizing on the ground. And it’s not without reason.

Personally, a blurb in the NYT or a 10-second spot on the network news (and that’s if you’re really “successful”) just doesn’t do it for me. That’s not the kind of result worth time off work and loss of income and a long trip.

A little story: In the Spring of 2001, I participated in VoterMarch to protest Bush v. Gore and voter disenfranchisment. I took time off work and spent more than a little money getting to D.C.. I marched. I stood at The Capitol with my "Consent of the Governed DENIED" sign and listened to speakers all day. Nobody gave a shit. The sad fact was that most people didn’t care about widespread voter disenfranchisement in Florida and the very foundation of democracy being shattered by the United States Supreme Court. We had just entered the era of post-Constitutionalism and nobody cared. I went home exhausted and dead broke, congratulating myself for having participated. VoterMarch organizers declared it a success. It didn’t change one goddamn thing.

The Powers That Be don’t give a damn if you demonstrate, marching here or there with your indignant little signs and silly street theater and rowdy chants — as long as you play by their rules. In fact, it’s safe to assume the Bush Crowd actually gets off on this kind of thing. It gives them something to ridicule and reinforces their sense of superiority and authority.

Here’s the deal: State-sanctioned protest is nothing more than role-playing.

Conversely, thousands of people camping out - basically taking over a city - and saying “We’re gonna shut this fucking place down until we get what we want,” - that’s something. If you’re going to demonstrate, you have to be a problem for somebody. Infuriate them. Embarass them. Humiliate them. Interfere with commerce. To do these things, rules must be broken. In a demonstration, provoke a response or go home; otherwise, the only thing it’s good for is an ego massage, and most of us can do that at home just fine. Ask any blogger.

Americans have forgotten how important it is to break rules; how to stick our necks out together in solidarity; how to demand change. We’re a nation of slaves and robots conditioned to obey authority.

“Ten thousand people marched on the nation’s capitol today and then they all went home. And now, the weather…” Big. Fucking. Deal.

Do you - my dear carnival marks - have any thoughts on the subject? Don't be shy. I am genuinely interested in hearing your opinion.