Are Mass Protests Politically Effective?

[Mark E. Smith]

Poll question: Are Mass Protests Politically Effective?

[Christian30]

1. I voted yes

but they need to be partnered with much better/wider press coverage then we've seen and in numbers greater than we've seen in the last 5-10 years.

[Gatchaman]

2. They CAN be, but not this way

Where was the protest last week? Where is the protest NEXT week?

Having one protest won't change squat.

[BayCityProgressive]

3. I have been to 3 in DC.

If no one iwll come we cant do one every week. There arent enough lazy asses willing to get off their asses and do something.

[shadowknows69]

4. We shall see

In Conyers speech it definitely sounded like he wanted to "fire" Bush. Question is will he get the support. What we need to do is make a LOT of Republican Senators see the wisdom of making an example of this lunatic before he destroys their party for all time.

[BayCityProgressive]

5. We need a combination of things

of course internet lobbying, calling our reps, civil disobedience, marches, donating to peace groups and candidates and we really need a student strike or something. Any one of these things on it's own is ineffective.

[shadowknows69]

6. What we probably need is

A group of brave souls, say a million or so, to sign a pettition saying in effect, "Mr. President, if you continue to ignore the will of the people and congress and enter into a major conflict with Iran with no public discourse on the matter. Then you will face war at home as well because we the people will know we are living under a tyrannical, imperialistic regime and will act as the forefathers of this country did to win their freedom from The Monarchy

[BayCityProgressive]

7. I would put my name to that!

[Breeze54]

9. I was at a protest last week and there were over a thousand!

There were "No Escalation!" demonstrations all over the country!
Where were you? :shrug:

From: Matt Holland, TrueMajority
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 2:44 PM
To : Breeze54
Subject : You Rocked Last Night! Check It Out.


TrueMajority's America Says NO!

Events: Speaking out from Coast to Coast

Dear Breeze54;

Events happened across the country from coast to coast!

Follow up on last night's events by sending a message to
Congress urging them to block the President's escalation plan.

Can you help keep the anti-war momentum going with a contribution today?

Wow. You guys are amazing!
Thanks to you and the other volunteer activists from both the
America Says NO! project and our partners at MoveOn, there
were over 1,000 events nationwide protesting Asshole's escalation
plan. The message that Americans do NOT want more troops
was heard loud and clear in every state. And Congress has been
put on high alert to do their part to change the course in Iraq.

You can bet that we'll be watching.

You can read first hand reports and see photos
of last night's events and even post your own story at: http://www.truemajorityaction.org/SaidNo.

And scroll down to check out just some of the media
attention you stirred up with last night's events.

We'll be piling on the pressure in the coming weeks, so
stay tuned to your inbox for more ways you can make
a difference.

Thanks again for making this happen.

Ben H, Brian, Chris, Darcy and Matt
The TrueMajority Team

------------

News Stories highlighting just some of the America Says NO! events:

California
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/01/11/BAGNVNHDHF5.DTL

Kansas
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/jan/11/surge_protested_lawrence/?city_local

Iowa
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2007/01/12/news/top/ea2592a2a5b00e938625726100180d29.txt

New York
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--warprotests0111jan11,0,4975286.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork

Vermont
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070112/NEWS01/701120314/1009/NEWS05

--------

RIGHT ON!!! We done GOOD!! ;) It was on all my news
channels and on national morning shows today too!

Here's the link to the pics I took!
http://americasaysno.radicaldesigns.org/events/show/186

[fed-up]

10. Protest in the streets Feb 15th w/pots/pans in honor of Molly

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x63681

[stillcool]

8. I think it changes perception

both among those participating and those looking on. There is a synergy that happens when a group of people gather for a common cause, that takes on a life of it's own. There is a reason why leaders do not like to see mass gatherings, and try to prevent them from spreading. The effect may not match expectations, but change occurs.

[TheBaldyMan]

11. they are in a democracy

they are also fun

[rock]

12. If they weren't effective

the powers that be would not mind them, in fact, would encourage them!