A huge variety of events is occurring these days to address the injustices and damage caused by the MAGA authoritarian regime. As summer approaches and more people are out of work from Trump’s policies, we expect increasing participation in these events. We refer to such activity as “Mobilization.”
The great diversity of events sparks numerous questions. Are the protests too close together to be practical? Is it more impactful to have a huge number of people in one place or fewer people in many places? What should happen at the event? How do you choose which event to attend?
Most protests, regardless of type, effectively grow our movement against authoritarianism. When planning or attending a protest, it’s helpful to think about the different tactics available. An event may include one or more of these tactics. In all types of protest, the goal is not to push people away, it’s to win hearts and minds with your own dedication and passion.
Keeping in mind that there is a lot of overlap, here are some loose definitions to help you know what to expect.
Protest: a usually organized public demonstration of disapproval of some law, policy, idea, or state of affairs. There may be speakers, music or other entertainment. This is usually a larger event.
March: a type of protest or demonstration where a group of people walk in an organized manner from one location to another, often culminating in a rally or other event. It’s a common way for people to express their views on political or social issues and to bring attention to their cause.
Rally: a group of people who assemble together in a fixed location for a specific purpose and common aim – with an intent to send a message to a specific group of people, a government or a single individual. More informal events, although they sometimes have a speaker.
Standout: no speakers, often recurring in the same location, where people show signs to bring attention to important issues. Usually a shorter time frame. Popular places are along busy roads, town commons, or freeway overpasses.
Vigil: similar to a standout and is often silent. Demonstrators generally gather to call attention or bear witness to an event or situation, to remember or honor an individual and her ideas, and/or to gain strength and moral force from one another. They may engage in some activity–lighting candles, holding portraits of people jailed for political crimes. Vigils are most frequently employed when the issue is seen as a moral one.
Picketing: a group of people carrying signs expressing their concerns and, often, identifying their allies and antagonists, stands or walks in front of a building or facility that is the target of their demonstration. A consumer group may picket a store in an effort to persuade potential customers that they’re better off shopping elsewhere.
Boycott: a form of protest where individuals refuse to purchase, use, or engage with a product, company, or organization to express disapproval or force a change. It can be an effective tool, especially when a large portion of a population participates, but its success depends on several factors, including the strength of the protest, the vulnerability of the target, and the overall context.
General Strike: a widespread work stoppage, often involving multiple industries and communities, aiming to halt economic activity and exert pressure on employers or governments to achieve specific goals. It’s a powerful tool used to demonstrate solidarity and demand change, but it can also disrupt vital services and have broader economic consequences. General strikes need to be well planned and include large numbers to make change.
Sit in: a form of protest where people gather conspicuously in a space or building, refusing to move unless their demands are met. The often clearly visible demonstrations are intended to spread awareness among the public, or disrupt the goings-on of the protested organization. Sometimes, a sit-in is accompanied by speeches or other activities; sometimes it is silent. It may involve trespassing, and thus be illegal, it may simply be a statement of people’s right to be in a particular place, or it may be meant as a moral statement.
Riot: an unorganized disturbance of the peace created by an assemblage of usually three or more people acting with a common purpose and in a violent and tumultuous manner to the terror of the public. Usually associated with property damage and physical violence. January 6, 2021 is an example of a riot. It can be confusing when outside actors or police incite violence that was not intended by the protesters, as in some of the George Floyd protests.