DC was beautiful. First, people surrounded the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture - literally surrounded her, protected her, and honored the ancestors. Then lots (this isn't a precise number) came together at the Washington Memorial.
For sure! Over 5 million people who took the time to make signs and hit the streets mean business. He’s directly hitting our wallets so now it’s game on! 👊🏻🇺🇸🔥
It was a really great day, I’m glad I was able to go. It’s feeling like this is just the beginning. Check out @indivisible.org for events. I just saw one on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution 4/19. Looks like that needs to become a national event like today was. Lots of opportunities!
You can still participate! One Free Community will be holding a virtual protest and stream it live on their YouTube channel from 2pm - 4pm PST. Here’s the link:
It means that more people are getting angry over the tyranny. Until Americans get off their asses & actually FIGHT the oligarchy, nothing will change because protests alone won't FORCE change.
i’m thrilled af to see so much collective action happening. americans are finally realizing we the people have way more power than any fucking billionaire, when we stand together arm in arm
They are reclaiming and regaining power that had been stolen by fears.
They are shopping freedom! Like in a workshop. Are investing a little bit of time, effort and courage into an instant payback in more courage, time, energy and Freedom!
it’s a piece of the puzzle, an essential line in the conversation! electeds gotta see us out there to know we have their backs if they go harder. we each gotta know we have each other. it’s not the end of the work, but it’s much needed fuel in the tank.
I'm old enough to recall the last time he was president. We protested everything, every year, all year long...it accomplished nothing. No press coverage. He brought the military out vs BLM. Nothing changed. See 2 failed impeachments and the SC making him king. Until he protest like the French...
Especially while we still can. Trump wants to enact martial law so bad he can taste it. He thinks Americans protesting to save Democracy and their constitutional rights are 'radical left lunatics'.
Yes! It’s especially powerful, because it stands in contrast to all but a few politicians and business leaders who have stood by while democracy is being attacked. Keep going everyone!
Targetted action like Tesla Takedown and attending Town Halls work. Big marches make MAGA happy since they demonstrate how much they have owned the Libs by actually voting instead of marching.
Every person on this thread who can't stop themselves from saying some ridiculous thing about how this isn't significant, it's meaningless, it isn't enough, from the bottom of my heart, shut up. No really, just shut it. You wanna be a doomscrolling, cynical twit go make a post nobody will read on X
I have this argument w our local Dem state rep every season about signs. He says, “Signs don’t vote.” But when the other side puts out their signs super early (& LIES on doors, telling residents that HE’S the Dem candidate!) that should tell us: PERCEPTION MATTERS. For HOPE➕UNITY➕GOTV➕ours is REAL!!
it means something, which is why the vast majority who attend will a sense of catharsis and solidarity with other protestors and then go home and do nothing else for months
Ok healthy tim. Not convinced you’re not a bot, but in case you are a real boy: I saw lots of community movements/orgs start and strengthen with marches & action. From occupy to today. It depends on what you define as results I guess.
i suggest you study successful movements: the civil rights movement, cuban revolution, etc. not everything is useful but it makes clear that protests are really a waste of time
as a side note i’m struck by common leftwing disagreements like are protests successful? should i vote third party? devolve into calling the person with the more unorthodox position a bot. did not happen on twitter
Depends. Protests can involve crucial coalition building and networking. Also observed what you describe: catharsis with zero follow-up. Only now Americans are all suffering, as during Covid. No forgetting. Maybe the protest today was a rallying cry--in preparation for the work.
it’s possible though i doubt it. in that case you’d expect some follow up actions, but every protest since the WTO ones, iraq war, first trump term has ended with nothing. the iraq war one was the largest protest of a war up until that time
Are you defining success by grinding a war to halt or corporations to stop pillaging? Your complaint was about ppl not doing anything btw marches/rallies when that’s patently not true. Your experience is not indicative of everyone’s 🫶
the reason this is important is because when you concentrate so much protest it makes people feel like they are doing something, when they could actually be taking effective actions to save this country
ok so of the street protests we’ve had these last few decades, what has accomplished its original mission, or even led to a movement that accomplishes that mission? you only have to name one
Hard to answer your question because you fundamentally misunderstand the purpose of protests. You want someone to say "this protest changed that policy." That's rarely how it works. Why not just do some reading instead of telling strangers to educate you?
there is something called civil disobedience, which when well organized has proven many times to be an effective political tool. but instead we do these legal street celebrations and pretend like we accomplished something
Sorry Ashley, it means nothing. We are stuck with a dictator for 4 years. 8 billion can protest and march and it’s nothing more than just a gathering. It changes nothing.
Actually shut tf up if you’re going to do nothing but sow negativity when people are fighting. If you’re giving up, go give up somewhere else. Protests play a big part, it’s not everything but you need to study the history of successful movements. You would have been booing civil rights activists
Even if it doesn't mean anything to the orange cheeto, it makes a statement to your representatives. Very different than reading comments online. Congrats Americans for a great first big turnout!
Currently listening to my housemate, a queer Jewish woman, tell her friend on the phone that large protests don’t matter. Just a week ago when I invited her to a Tesla protest, she told me to let her know when the mass protests start because little protests don’t matter.
Because she’s in multiple marginalized groups with long histories of being oppressed. But then, she also grew up in a family that has voted for Trump because he’s “pro-Israel” so it’s possibly a learned behavior from a lifetime of being the only liberal in the family.
I haven't the transportation to go there nor the physical abilities to actively participate in person. But I send my proxy to support the peaceful "Hands Off" movement.
You can still participate! One Free Community will be holding a virtual protest which will stream live on their YouTube page from 2pm - 4pm PST. Here’s the link:
Ι've been arguing with friends who are like, "so what, it's a bunch of white people who feel entitled to protest", as if they didn't know that people of color are equally *entitled* to protest, they just don't feel able to as they are the targets.
It at least shows all the other people that feel the same way that they aren't alone. That helps do much more than a lot of these people want to admit.
We're so fired up. There were thousands on Fifth Ave in NYC. One of the largest (if not the largest) marches I've ever seen there and I covered several in my career.
You really have to be there to feel it yourself. There is something so magnificent about the United States reuniting. Claiming the flag -- and a lot of other flags as well. America IS "GREAT" ALREADY. Together, we are brave, caring, creative. We can do this.
When the people in charge take away your rights faster than you can fight for them you'll just be chasing your own tail forever. They'll do it fast while you pray for slow change. That's why America will forever have a mass shooting problem. Nothing ever really gets fixed unless you force it.
Oh ok. I lived in Nicaragua in the 90s and I’m pretty well aware of how shit works in the world and I’m gonna go ahead and mute your crusty grumble-ass now
I’m always dubious about people who post shit like the “person” you’re replying to.
There’s gonna be a concerted effort on SM to suppress mass protests; to make us feel like it’s all useless; to sow fear and hopelessness. We can’t fall for it.
Yeah. Some of these folks aren’t for real. Too many are real, though. I don’t think it makes sense to debate them at length but I think it does make sense to push back a little so that any real folks who are falling into doomerism can see another point of view.
@chrislhayes.bsky.social I see you reposted this. PLEASE tell me @msnbc.com will be covering these protests! I've popped in several times and haven't seen any coverage of this!
But they get the messaging through, & get information to the people. They bring awareness & they educate, & get people thinking differently, when they’re done properly. They bring the spark that encourages action. They help deprogram. That’s why the messaging is so important. People talk, & think.
Exactly! Trump likes to think that Americans love him. He needs to see the millions out there showing him they don't...but he's out golfing on our dime, while charging the SS thousands of dollars to stay at his resort...on our fucking dime.
Remember it's an escalation. We indicate to them we're not happy with what they're doing. If you make them think they're about to face a challenge for re-election, they'll get in line.
Except if the other side just ignores you, then what? They want violence. If they ignore and do what they want, we can’t really change anything. It’s not cynicism it’s the reality of how they treat opposition. If they can’t control it (courts) they ignore it.
I believe this! but I also was just going to post a question of like... how does it work/help. I decided against it bc ppl might take it wrong. Is it for our own morale? (Which is important) do the protests themselves impact anyone in power?
In sufficient num to disrupt the normal flow of economic life it definitely affects people in power, but even before that the visibility encourages people to speak up themselves. And the morale boost makes it easier to stay engaged. You might find this interesting
It helps show people in power exactly how unpopular their policies/opinions are. It might not prevent them from implementing those policies, but it may cause them to slow down on the implementation path.
It helps show our communities/neighbours we are not alone. 1/2
Protests also help build a sense of safety and express community values (if we're protesting against this government it would be EXTREMELY unpopular for someone in this community to call ICE on another community member) 2/2
There seems to be multiple groups in charge, and each with their own incompatible end goals. Fascism needs a strong central government to enforce its rule. That's the same central government the "privatize everything to get richer" group is tearing apart stone by stone.
I bring educational leaflets about Elon Musk and Tesla
I think shaping awareness of “oh a lot of people are against this” and “People are protesting, why?” Or “what org should I comment with to engage more”
So it’s an entry point to sustained action & a recruiting event
(I have actually had conversations with strangers about my sign and if there are orgs they can join, I also have an interview to a reporter and then she published it and now people are reading my message about why they should boycott Tesla)
Protesting at a Tesla can reduce sales at that store
I think these protests are great in terms of building solidarity b/c one person is there to protect the VA, another about ICE, a 3rd for Medicaid, a 4th for tariffs but now we are seeing each other engaging as allies w/ same enemy
In addition ... it doesn't do any more than annoy the Trump regime, but it makes a statement to elected representatives, and gives a platform for them to step out.
They also can raise awareness in witnesses who have been keeping their heads in the sand, as well as all the other answers. I know even for lesser protests if I've seen a rally around here I check the signs for the cause and look it up if I've never heard of it.
When the opposition (like the dude did in my state house district) is LYING to people with busy road frontage, telling them that they’re the Dem candidate so that they’ll host a yard sign, that should tell us that signs—particularly in The People’s hands out in the streets—MATTER.
Similarly, pay attention to empty lots on busy corners. Republicans buy them up & let them sit empty (especially in my small community) until election season comes & they put out huge GQP signs. So we drive past them every day & feel small & like voting, protesting, calling doesn’t matter. IT DOES.
Strength in numbers. Reminding us all that we're not alone, we're not crazy, we're not imagining the harm or just being hysterical. And it pokes the Democrats to remember we exist. They have to stand up for us.
It's good for morale; it normalizes speaking out against the govt (which is important when fascists are trying to criminalize dissent); and it can provide opportunities to invite people into other, more direct forms of action.
It is an extreme example but the civil organizing for the pope's visit to to Poland was the foundation of the civil infrastructure that eventually drove out the communists.
And practice matters. Big protests teach people how to move at a big action. If your end game is people coming out and truly shutting it down, you need people to have experience and confidence and a sense that they can do this because it’s a small step up not a big one.
The people in the UK who have filled the streets and stopped deportations didn’t start out saying “I’m just going to go out there and face down the cops in a fast-moving situation with a life at stake”, you know? They knew each other, they’d done this before.
Oh also, another positive thing about big rallies is that, since they tend to be lower-risk, a lot of people bring kids to them, which helps raise kids with the values of standing up against injustice.
I have no problem speaking out but I'm terrified of "vandalism" or whatever it would be so I'm currently trying to figure out baby steps to get us to put up posters or flyers or something
Going into 2026 campaigns,it can definitely influence lawmakers (all 435 in House of Reps, 33 Senate).Some assume their constituents really don't care; these protests may convince them otherwise. More importantly, it lets people know there are like -minded people who care about the things they do.
Are you young enough not to remember how it was massive protests in the streets that ended US participation in the Vietnam war? No one protest got any politician thrown out of office. The collective momentum of many protests changed their votes.
In rural communities, it helps show neighbors that it isn’t an elite coastal thing, that it’s people the see around town or do business with. And it helps those rural organizations grow, meaning more people to do the grassroots work or even run for local office.
Doesn't mean it shouldn't be done though. People need to see and feel they are not alone, and that there is a movement. And people in positions to do things, like AOC and Bernie and hopefully others, can feel supported and emboldened.
I went in Milwaukee and the part that meant the most to me was finally seeing real evidence of not being alone. Being, even for just a little while, in a crowd of people you could trust was an immense mental relief.
That really has been missing from our communities for a while, and was made much worse with social media and pandemic and the Trump first term and the ptsd of all of that. We stopped feeling like we could trust anyone. We’re finally rediscovering our new safe people along this journey back to US.
We have a solidarity coalition in Syracuse. Our meetings have grown each month and we can no longer fit in our old space. We estimated 1,200 people for the protest and 4,000 showed up. It was joyful.
Honestly, I am blocking a LOT of those people, depending on how they phrase it. I figure most of them are probably Russian agents, and the rest need to go touch grass.
You are looking for an immediate action. Yesterday was about keeping the pressure on Capitol Hill and SCOTUS. Every time we show the people are furious, we change the discourse at the legislative and judicial tables. You stay home and throw up your hands. We will drive the change.
One more thing - it MATTERS to show the enlisted military the will of the people. They all took an oath to defend the Constitution, but that may mean defying orders. It becomes easier to defy orders when they visually see the people are peacefully rejecting everything from the Executive branch.
Comments
Not sure it's ever done anything. I was in the biggest ever march in the UK and we still went to war in Iraq.
Handful of dorks blocking traffic and throwing soup in museums got the government to stop new oil drilling though, so....direct action?
https://youtube.com/@onefreecommunity?si=ftjwUtp9EeT1oVtD
They were some of my favorites.
If only we could use social media to organize to actually do something.
They are shopping freedom! Like in a workshop. Are investing a little bit of time, effort and courage into an instant payback in more courage, time, energy and Freedom!
(well said) —
#WeThePeople
do you know what its like right now to try and mobilize people using other channels?
Yeah. SOMEONE really should, eh??
I assume they meant to insinuate that their roommate *should* know the power of protest given they're in these groups.
@lakauffman.bsky.social shared this directory of mutual aid societies and other efforts across the country
https://youtube.com/@onefreecommunity?si=ftjwUtp9EeT1oVtD
Greetings and supports from Belgium 🙂
そもそも、一体何で意見を述べたんだ?
誰も君なんぞの意見を求めなかったはずだが
It’s hard to fathom from the standpoint of a human life, but real change takes a long damn time and it’s not a straight line.
Society will not be fixed in a few years. You keep fighting and don’t give up because you put in one day’s work and didn’t fix it.
There’s gonna be a concerted effort on SM to suppress mass protests; to make us feel like it’s all useless; to sow fear and hopelessness. We can’t fall for it.
It matters.
It matters.
It matters.
It matters.
And if not, well, then We the People....
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190513-it-only-takes-35-of-people-to-change-the-world
It helps show our communities/neighbours we are not alone. 1/2
Which is not an argument against protests. I just assume ultimately their purpose is something for/about the people not Trump
I think shaping awareness of “oh a lot of people are against this” and “People are protesting, why?” Or “what org should I comment with to engage more”
So it’s an entry point to sustained action & a recruiting event
I think these protests are great in terms of building solidarity b/c one person is there to protect the VA, another about ICE, a 3rd for Medicaid, a 4th for tariffs but now we are seeing each other engaging as allies w/ same enemy
It’s about a show of solidarity and a not so quiet reminder that the People are the ones to whom government is beholden, not billionaires.
Oh also, another positive thing about big rallies is that, since they tend to be lower-risk, a lot of people bring kids to them, which helps raise kids with the values of standing up against injustice.
To the people currently in power, it means nothing, they just ignore it.
I love to see more white folks out there protesting, I don’t think I saw any 🐖 either. So there’s that.
That has to be a good sign, I’m taking it 🤷🏽♀️
I know I speak for all black eomen when I say, WE ARE TIRED!!!
Keep supporting 🤲🏿👇🏾
BLM did actually begin to change things in places, which is why people fought so hard against it
and its wild to say the womens rights movement won nothing