Editing Protests

== Index of related important pages ==

=== In Person Protests ===

==== For Activists attending ====

* [[Attendee Protest FAQ In Person|Quick Protest FAQ]] (draft page available)
* [[Attendee Should I Attend In Person|Answering "Should I attend this Protest?"]]  (draft page available)
* [[Attendee Pre Protest Prep In Person|Pre-Protest Prep]] (page not yet created)
* [[Attendee Protest Mindset In Person|Protest Mindset]] (page not yet created)
* [[Attendee Safety In Person|Safety]] (page not yet created)
* [[Attendee Pets And Children In Person|Protesting with Pets and Children]] (page not yet created)
* [[Attendee Post Protest|Post Protest Action]] (page not yet created)

==== For Organizers ====

* [[Organizer Should I Organize A Protest|Should You Organize A Protest?]]  (draft page available)
* [[Organizer Form And Location In Person|Deciding the form and location of protest]] (page not yet created)
* [[Protest Permits]] (page not yet created)
* [[Organizer Pre Protest Messaging|Pre Protest messaging]] (page not yet created)
* [[Organizer Setting The Tone In Person|Setting The Tone For the Protest]] (draft page available)
* [[Organizer Safety In Person|Safety]] (page not yet created)
* [[Organizer Protest Equipment In Person|Protest Equipment]] (page not yet created)
* [[Organizer Protest Speakers In Person|People Speaking At Protests]] (page not yet created)
* [[Organizer Handling Counter Protesters In Person|Handling Counter Protesters]] (page not yet created)
* [[Organizer Dealing With Police In Person|Dealing With Police]] (page not yet created)
* [[Organizer Accessibility Accommodations Inclusivity In Person|Accessibility Accommodations and Inclusivity]] (page not yet created)
* [[Organizer Mapping Your March Route|Mapping Your March Route]] (draft page available)
* [[Organizer Leading A Safe March|Leading a Safe March]] (page not yet created)
* [[Organizer Contingency Planning In Person|Contingency Planning]] (page not yet created)
* [[Organizer Post Protest Action In Person|Post Protest Action]] (page not yet created)
* [[Organizer Resolving Issues With Other Organizers|Resolving Issues With Other Organizers]] (draft page available)
* [[Organizer Organizer Self Care|Organizer Self Care]] (page not yet created)

== What is a protest? ==
A Protest is a demonstration of people through action or by refusing to take action ([[wikipedia:Boycott|boycotts]], [[wikipedia:Pacifism|pacifism]]. etc) against a person, decision or policy that they disagree with. 

Protests can occur spontaneously or be planned by organizers. Protests can be done by one person or [[wikipedia:Million_Man_March|a million people]]. The only limit is creativity in how someone can protest and there is nothing to stop you aside from your own creativity from finding a way you can express your dissent. 

== Protest Types ==

=== In Person Protests ===
The most common type of protest that the word evokes in the mind is the in person protest. Where people gather together and march, listen to speakers, or occupy a space and refuse to leave. 

In person protests are actually not the most effective form of activism, but they are an effective form of activism. When we look back at the Vietnam War and the [[wikipedia:Opposition_to_United_States_involvement_in_the_Vietnam_War|protests against it]]. It's easy to think that college students were against Nixon's policies. But the [https://news.gallup.com/vault/230501/gallup-vault-1969-college-students-resistance-vietnam.aspx majority of college students actually supported it.]. And even the majority of those who disapproved didn't protest.

However, when we look back we see not only the images of the protesters, but how their disapproval was so strong It helped create change. 

As humans, we are social creatures and often want to [https://youarenotsosmart.com/2024/10/15/yanss-298-why-one-psychologist-believes-the-tribal-instincts-that-divide-us-can-be-leveraged-to-help-bring-us-together/ follow what others in our society do]. By physically protesting we signal to others what a group wants, and by positive amplification of the protest online and through media we can be the loudest voice to inspire others to reconsider their current standing. 

We also send a message to leaders that there is strong visible opposition. An opposition that will actually show up and not just post memes to oppose their policy choices and actions.

In person protest is incredibly important but shouldn't be looked at as the only action we take and isn't our only action available if we can't attend in person. As much as we want them to, protests don't solve problems in a day. Civil rights wasn't solved with the [[wikipedia:March_on_Washington_for_Jobs_and_Freedom|March on Washington]]. It was a culmination of years of protests and effort both pushing from within policy and from outside. It is a tool in our toolbox but building a house requires more than one tool.