Methods of Protest
Form of Protest: BOYCOTT
Description: An economic activity in which protesters refuse to buy a product or use a service Pros: Economic - hit where it hurts the most - the wallet, non-violent, doesn't look bad in the press Cons : Involves a sacrifice, especially if product or service is a necessity (like busses)may take a long time to really have an impact and succeed Examples from the CRM: Montgomery Bus Boycott Chicago School Boycott Examples Today: A recent proposed boycott of Florida because of the Trayvon Martin case Form of Protest: Violence Description: the use of physical force to harm someone, to damage property, etc. A riot is a form of civil disorder commonly characterized by a group lashing out in a violent public disturbance against authority, property, or people. Riots typically involve vandalism and the destruction of property, public or private. Pros: Makes a statement, gets people to listen to you. Cons: Often illegal, dangerous and costly. Examples from the CRM: NYRR: http://crdl.usg.edu/events/ny_race_riots/?Welcome Watts Riots: http://crdl.usg.edu/events/watts_riots/ Images From the CRM: Examples Today: Riots in Baltimore: http://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/article20208564.html Form of Protest: CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE Description: Civil disobedience is the active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, or commands of a government, or of an occupying international power. Pros: Gets your point across, people know immediately, media coverage Cons: It's illegal, it's dangerous Examples from the CRM: http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/the-greensboro-sit-in Examples Today: http://www.cnn.com/specials/baltimore-riots Form of Protest: PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION Description: A demonstration or street protest is action by a mass group or collection of groups of people in favor of a political or other cause; it normally consists of walking in a mass march formation and either beginning with or meeting at a designated endpoint, or rally, to hear speakers. Pros: It's legal, mostly peaceful, draws attention Cons: Police could get involved, threatening (during the civil rights movement) Examples from the CRM: http://crdl.usg.edu/events/birmingham_demonstrations Examples Today: https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tunisian-towns-call-strike-over-economy-jobs-090537757.html#zW5uR34 (Not US) Form of Protest: LEGAL PETITION (Court cases, pushing for laws) Description: A written application from a person or persons to some governing body or public official asking that some authority be exercised to grant relief, favors, or privileges. Pros: It's safe, anyone can sign Cons: Can be ignored for a long time Examples from the CRM: http://www.blackpast.org/we-charge-genocide-historic-petition-united-nations-relief-crime-united-states-government-against Examples Today: http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/davidbadash/leelah_s_law_to_ban_conversion_therapy_has_just_days_left_to_qualify_for_white_house_response Form of Protest: ORGANIZATIONS Description: A formal declaration of disapproval or objection issued by a concerned person, group,or organization. Pros: Power in numbers! Cons: Could be disagreement of ideas between people in the same organization Examples from the CRM: the NAACP Examples Today: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/ Form of Protest: THE MEDIA Description: Using the radio, tv, internet to protest something Pros: Can be spread to a lot of people Cons: Could get you in trouble if you said the wrong thing to so many people Examples from the CRM: http://newswise.com/articles/black-radio-played-strong-role-in-shaping-civil-rights Examples Today: http://carnegie.org/publications/carnegie-reporter/single/view/article/item/335/ |