But a genuine comment because people think I’m a big meanie:
It’s helpful to know that folks aren’t alone and also helpful for orgs who are already doing things to improve the material conditions of their community to get some publicity and maybe some new helping hands.
Maybe then america will realize they have power, and the revolution might not be exactly the same as their last one
I think you might be misunderstanding my comments or maybe I’m misunderstanding yours because I am very lost.
I added the “protests aren’t totally useless” thing as a way to combat defensiveness after I replied to the top level comment comparing recent US protests (such as No Kings) to the protests shown in the meme. It’s absurd to compare the two, and not because of the violence that occurs at them. The reason the type of action shown in the image can be impactful is because there have specific goals and targets in contrast to what amount to an awareness campaign or parade.
The goals are to put pressure on the government by causing disruption, which is not necessarily done with the matches/riots but with other acts.
Speaking in general, the french tend to do rallies and protests in combination with strikes. So the protest is to draw attention to the strike or is populated by the strikers and their supporters. It is the strike that applies pressure. Occupying some area that disrupts normal business is another common tactic.
The yellow vest movement blocked roads and fuel depots, which was a direct action to disrupt access to fuel and the movement of vehicles. Their (initial) grievance was high fuel costs. They also organized to block tollbooths on 20 roads and blocked airport runways, all disrupting commerce.
With the current student protests occupations (sit ins), walk outs and blockages are being used. These are paired with teach-ins and more theatrical type street demonstrations to raise awareness.
In contrast, a protest like the No Kings protests are (generally) not taking people away from their jobs and are in pre approved routes and locations which cause minimal disruption to the daily lives of others and the function of the state.
This is what I mean when I say it’s important to look closely at why these movements are successful. Rolling walkouts or strikes wouldn’t necessarily attract violence from the state but would disrupt the systems that allow the state to continue doing what they are doing.
Lol
But a genuine comment because people think I’m a big meanie:
It’s helpful to know that folks aren’t alone and also helpful for orgs who are already doing things to improve the material conditions of their community to get some publicity and maybe some new helping hands.
Maybe then america will realize they have power, and the revolution might not be exactly the same as their last one
it’s also helpful to fight against tyranny though
I mean this in the least antagonist way possible: I don’t think anything I said excludes fighting tyranny.
then… go fight tyranny then?
I think you might be misunderstanding my comments or maybe I’m misunderstanding yours because I am very lost.
I added the “protests aren’t totally useless” thing as a way to combat defensiveness after I replied to the top level comment comparing recent US protests (such as No Kings) to the protests shown in the meme. It’s absurd to compare the two, and not because of the violence that occurs at them. The reason the type of action shown in the image can be impactful is because there have specific goals and targets in contrast to what amount to an awareness campaign or parade.
what specific goals though?
The goals are to put pressure on the government by causing disruption, which is not necessarily done with the matches/riots but with other acts.
Speaking in general, the french tend to do rallies and protests in combination with strikes. So the protest is to draw attention to the strike or is populated by the strikers and their supporters. It is the strike that applies pressure. Occupying some area that disrupts normal business is another common tactic.
The yellow vest movement blocked roads and fuel depots, which was a direct action to disrupt access to fuel and the movement of vehicles. Their (initial) grievance was high fuel costs. They also organized to block tollbooths on 20 roads and blocked airport runways, all disrupting commerce.
With the current student protests occupations (sit ins), walk outs and blockages are being used. These are paired with teach-ins and more theatrical type street demonstrations to raise awareness.
In contrast, a protest like the No Kings protests are (generally) not taking people away from their jobs and are in pre approved routes and locations which cause minimal disruption to the daily lives of others and the function of the state.
This is what I mean when I say it’s important to look closely at why these movements are successful. Rolling walkouts or strikes wouldn’t necessarily attract violence from the state but would disrupt the systems that allow the state to continue doing what they are doing.