The Importance of Demonstrations

Recently I’ve been in some political demonstrations here in Phoenix, not hard to do while the weather is quite nice. The April 5 “Hands Off” protests were not only near the AZ Capitol, but also in other places in the Valley and throughout the state, and my wife and I went to one quite close to our home. The spirit and comradery made the experience quite uplifting. So, I’m glad I went – but it’s not what I usually do. I do try to help in my own little political world, partly by functioning as a Precinct Committeeperson in my area (especially in my condo complex), but also by helping a candidate or two. And I’m working with others to begin to prepare for the next census and redistricting (time flies, 2030 is closer than you think). Most of these things can be done at my desk. But it was nice to get out and physically be with others.

Still, it feels important to ask: what is the point of these protests? Do they really help?

A long time ago (relatively speaking)

This year’s demonstrations were not exactly “my first rodeo.” In the late 60s I was going to the University of Chicago and was curious about a Vietnam War protest downtown. I had no intention of joining the protest, but I was curious enough to want to watch it. But when I got there, the protestors were on one side of the street, some counter-protestors were yelling from across the street, and in between was a steady stream of cars. It would have been impossible to stand in the middle.

I literally had to choose which side I was on. I chose the side opposing harm to human beings, a side I’ve been on ever since.But being “on a side” doesn’t mean that you have impact. What makes me think that our demonstrations matter?

Do demonstrations matter?

It may be true that massive public response can affect people who want to get elected or stay in office, though it’s hard to quantify the effect; but I suggest this video for a conversation with the Indivisible founders for their views on the concrete effects on legislators. It’s also true that it can often look like there is NO effect. For example, demonstrations against the war in Vietnam went on for years, and the war itself didn’t end until 9 years after our efforts, even after Nixon left the White House in disgrace. But back then we were a small minority, and the political environment is quite different now – many of the protestors now are older.

While I do think that the cumulative effect of many public outcries has been instrumental to progress, I don’t know how you could prove it. But here’s what I think is self-evident: doing nothing in the face of injustice is very, very bad. It encourages the bullies. 

If we don’t react in strength to Trump’s ignoring of due process, his calumnies will be even more widespread. If we proactively suspended all mention of discrimination vs equity, the thought police would be further encouraged. If we ignored the attacks on our universities, they would be reduced to factories producing cult robots. We all need to stand up for our rights in some way, and it doesn’t need to be demonstrating on the streets – many people make phone calls, text, write post cards, etc. These actions can be important too.

We need to remember: our public actions are not just there to make us feel better, though that is important too in such disquieting times. Protests are also there to dispel any notion that we are just acquiescing to autocracy. And as the Indivisible founders remind us, when they are large enough, they can affect the decisions of politicians who want to be reelected.

Visible resistance is critical

We are resisting, opposing, and ultimately defeating the forces that are trying to take us back to when America was certainly not Great for every group – or to move us to a Handmaid’s Tale society. 

As Arizona’s great AG has said, we must use courts, crowds, and courage. The crowds are a key part.

If we just grumble to ourselves and go about our business, it will be apparent to the media that the population doesn’t mind what the administration is doing. That would kill any chance of defeating the autocratic takeover. It is mandatory that we make ourselves heard.

 And public demonstrations are a key part of that.