Local: Saturday: Proposition 8 Protest
Event Details: Saturday: Proposition 8 Protest - :
Throughout the past week, I’ve had a variety of emotions and conversations with friends about the passing of Proposition 8 in California. I’ve been following the discussion of Prop. 8 on TNG, and it’s clear that many of you want to do something to help the fight for equality. However, it can be difficult to figure out the best course of action.
On Saturday, there will be a nationwide Prop. 8 protest. In DC, participants will meet at 1:30 p.m. on the steps of the Capitol and march down the National Mall to the White House. (Note: There has been some disagreement about the meeting spot, but we will keep you posted.)
Look below the fold for more information.
From the DC event’s Facebook page:
This is not a California issue. This is an issue of equality across America. Stand up and make your voice heard. Join us in DC on November 15 to unite our voices against H8 and other recent legislation that seeks to make second-class citizens of LGBTQ Americans!This is a nationwide event. Every major city in America (and some around the world) will be protesting on 11/15 10:30 PST (or 1:30 EST). Regardless of what city you are in or near, there will be a protest near you. Please join a protest near you.
Let us know if you plan on joining Saturday’s protest in the comments. I’m going to remain mum on the issue, but I want to know if you think protesting is effective? What’s the next step? What would you like to see happen as we continue to push for equal rights?
Details: Saturday, November 15, U.S. Capitol, 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. For more information about the protest in DC and in other cities, check out the Join the Impact website.
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Protests do not change the hearts and minds of the opposition (or even the undecideds) by themselves. They are just the most visible aspect of what needs to be a coordinated effort.
Protesting, done well, accomplishes several things. First, it increases the visibility of an issue by capturing the attention of the media. Second, it shows broad support behind an issue (or lack thereof, if nobody shows up). Third, it energizes and unifies the people who do show up and the people who helped get them there, making those people more likely to commit further energy to the cause.
So, yes. Protests are important. They can also be awesome things to experience, especially the large ones like the 2004 March for Women’s Lives. Many times newly minted activists emerge and reinvigorate campaigns after a powerful protest. But if you march and then go home and consider your job well done, well, you’ve kind of missed the point.
I agree with muddiboots, protests can definitely be effective depending on how they are organized, what messaging they use, how they utilize the strength of your base and focus on your target, etc. And of course mass mobilizations are just one tactic that can be used in a broader campaign and movement-building effort, just as muddiboots wrote.
On another note, it’s disappointing that this protest is planned at the exact time of another major mobilization planned in DC — a people’s summit in response to the G20 meeting Bush is hosting in DC on Saturday to discuss responses to the financial crisis. More info is online here: http://globaljusticeaction.wordpress.com/. Because of this meeting which is being billed as a “new Bretton Woods,” organizations around the world are using this Saturday as a global day of action and there is talk among some folks in DC about organizing a queer contingent at the DC people’s summit.
The mobilization is planned at the same time at every location around the country so it isn’t just DC, FYI :) So it wasn’t on purpose.
Ok, but this is an ongoing issue whereas the global economic summit is happening on one day: Nov. 15th, thus making it a really important single day for anyone concerned about global economic justice. And events related to this economic summit are planned in many countries all around the world.
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