Is political protest rude? Should we care?

[LissaR1]

I can remember two protests I've had huge issues with.

One was up at my undergrad school.  Aside from me not remotely agreeing with the issue (irrelevent to this conversation), the protesters (led by my ex) were hurling (publicly) some very intense language at the people they felt were responsible for their issue.  No profanities or anything, but some pretty harsh words (like "racist").  The problem?  These people were most definitely not responsible for the supposed offense.  If you're going to protest, make sure you're protesting the right people. 

The other was when I was in grad school.  A pro-life group had set up some extremely graphic pictures on a very public street.  I honestly have no idea where I truly fall on the abortion issue, but I was offended because these pictures were out where it was pretty impossible to avoid them.  There was no warning or anything, and no way to turn around on that street if you were driving.  (And it was at a stoplight during lunch hour.)  It bothered me especially because I'm sure there were a lot of mothers who didn't want their small children seeing these pictures (or heck, anyone who didn't want to see them- they were really truly disturbing pictures), and these pictures were pretty much unavoidable if you were on that road.  I could also only imagine how anyone who's undergone an abortion or miscarriage must have felt at seeing those pictures.  I'm not saying they should have prettied it up any, but they should have found a better location or posted people to warn passerbys that there were disturbing images ahead or something.

[goblue2539]

I could also only imagine how anyone who's undergone an abortion or miscarriage must have felt at seeing those pictures. 

And how likely were the pro-choice people going to be to change sides by being nauseated (did I get it right from the Higgins thread?) in their cars? 

[kingsrings]

I had a pretty scary run-in with a extremist pro-life group once. They were protesting outside my friend's father's house (he was a OBGYN), but I didn't know that. So I went up to her door, only to hear a bunch of people yelling, "She's walking to the door! Do it!!" and they filmed me, my car, took down my license plate, etc. A bunch more of what they did goes along with that, but they absolutely scared the bejesus out of my friend and I that weekend. I was on edge constantly for a month after this incident happened. I have every ounce of respect for the movement, but have zero respect for anti-abortion groups that engage in those kinds of tactics.

[HogwartsAlum]

I had a pretty scary run-in with a extremist pro-life group once. They were protesting outside my friend's father's house (he was a OBGYN), but I didn't know that. So I went up to her door, only to hear a bunch of people yelling, "She's walking to the door! Do it!!" and they filmed me, my car, took down my license plate, etc. A bunch more of what they did goes along with that, but they absolutely scared the bejesus out of my friend and I that weekend. I was on edge constantly for a month after this incident happened. I have every ounce of respect for the movement, but have zero respect for anti-abortion groups that engage in those kinds of tactics.

That's scary.  They could follow you home.   

I have heard of some people doing that outside Planned Parenthood clinics.  I used to go to PP when I didn't have a regular doctor, and I always worried that I'd have to run the gauntlet to get in for a checkup. 

[Twik]

The rudeness of political protestors I've noticed is that they believe the point is not "let the authorities know we disagree with them, and persuade others to join our cause". Instead, it's become "Let's force the authorities and/or innocent bystanders to do what we want".

For example, it is not rude to picket a movie if you feel it is racist/harmful to public morals/an environmentally-detrimental waste of celluloid. It is not acceptable to attack those who wish to enter the theater anyway.

As for the "well-behaved women rarely make history", I don't see history paying much attention to the anti-G8 protestors who trashed Seattle, except as the most minor of footnotes. Margaret Thatcher, on the other hand....

[Slartibartfast]

The other was when I was in grad school.  A pro-life group had set up some extremely graphic pictures on a very public street.  I honestly have no idea where I truly fall on the abortion issue, but I was offended because these pictures were out where it was pretty impossible to avoid them.  There was no warning or anything, and no way to turn around on that street if you were driving.  (And it was at a stoplight during lunch hour.)  It bothered me especially because I'm sure there were a lot of mothers who didn't want their small children seeing these pictures (or heck, anyone who didn't want to see them- they were really truly disturbing pictures), and these pictures were pretty much unavoidable if you were on that road.  I could also only imagine how anyone who's undergone an abortion or miscarriage must have felt at seeing those pictures.  I'm not saying they should have prettied it up any, but they should have found a better location or posted people to warn passerbys that there were disturbing images ahead or something.

When I was five or six, my mother was taking me, my siblings, and my cousins (all 6 years old and younger) through Washington DC to see the sights while my father was at a conference.  We apparently came across a large anti-abortion protest group, displaying signs saying "STOP KILLING BABIES" and graphic pictures.  I was old enough to read and understood the "Stop killing babies" thing - "Who's killing babies, mom?  Why is someone killing babies?  What did the babies do?"

The protesters were ready to answer my questions (according to their point of view, I guess), but my mom gave them the glare o' death and ushered the six of us children - all scared and confused at that point - away from the group.  She told me about this a few years ago, adding "I was not about to discuss the pros and cons of abortion with ANY small children, much less in front of a bunch of protesters!"

Some people just have no class.

[kingsrings]

As for the "well-behaved women rarely make history", I don't see history paying much attention to the anti-G8 protestors who trashed Seattle, except as the most minor of footnotes. Margaret Thatcher, on the other hand....

That's the most eloquent point made yet on this thread.

[Brentwood]

The rudeness of political protestors I've noticed is that they believe the point is not "let the authorities know we disagree with them, and persuade others to join our cause". Instead, it's become "Let's force the authorities and/or innocent bystanders to do what we want".

For example, it is not rude to picket a movie if you feel it is racist/harmful to public morals/an environmentally-detrimental waste of celluloid. It is not acceptable to attack those who wish to enter the theater anyway.

As for the "well-behaved women rarely make history", I don't see history paying much attention to the anti-G8 protestors who trashed Seattle, except as the most minor of footnotes. Margaret Thatcher, on the other hand....

But history did pay attention to women like Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Burns, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and other suffargists who led the fight for women to vote (and other women's rights), who weren't necessarily always "well-behaved."

[Twik]

It depends on your definition of "well-behaved". "Assertive" is not synonymous with poorly-behaved, any more that "spineless" equates well-behaved.

[MineralDiva]

I too think that there are polite and acceptable means of protest, as well as rude and unacceptable means.

[MadMadge43]

Unfortunatley protest that are peaceful and well organized will many times go unnoticed, the press is looking for a story.

Case in point: In a small fishing town in Mexico that is now a tourist haven for Arizonans that want to go to the beach, yes that's right the beach is only 1 hour away from the AZ border had two protests. One involved fishing rights for natives (Japan owns all of Mexicos fishing rights and had decided to impose a ban on the locals to let the fish replenish taking away the locals only livelihood)

They decided to protest and block the only road out of town on the last day of a popular 3 day weekend. Thousands of American Citizens were trapped for an extra two days in Mexico. The town though had plenty of food and drink specials and reduced housing rates making sure they at least enjoyed their time while there. This got tons of exposure and Mexico & Japan changed its policy.

The next protest and I don't even know what it was about, decided they didn't want to inconvenience people who really had to get home, so they let everyone know that they were going to protest on the last day of another popular 3 day weekend. Well, everyone just left a day early and only because my family was there do I know anything about it.

Civil unrest is not for the weak at heart, and while I do not ever think it's appropriate to harrass and threaten people, inconveniencing them is the only way to get the publicity you need.

[Pixie]

I believe in peaceful, respectful, protesting. I do NOT believe in violent or abusive protesting.

  I remember hearing about (from several sources)  a protest in Germany outside an Air Force base where the elementary school was just inside the fence. Protesters threw rocks and broken bottles at children on the playground because those children had one or both parents who were military members.
I do not think its cool to endanger children to make a political statement.  Frankly, I have no time for anyone who does.





 

[kingsrings]

Agree, Pixie. A year or so ago our governor spoke at an elementary school function. A political group who disagreed with him staged a big, loud, disruptive, protest right at the school. I can't imagine how scary and disturbing that must of been for the children to hear and see that going on, not to mention that these people were trying to ruin these children's fun and happy time that they had prepared for. Don't these people have anything better to do than mess with children?

[Brentwood]

It depends on your definition of "well-behaved". "Assertive" is not synonymous with poorly-behaved, any more that "spineless" equates well-behaved.

The early fighters for women's rights did not conform to the typically expected behaviors of the women of their time - thus, they were not "well-behaved." They were out in the world fighting for their rights and the rights of others - what they did may (or may not) be considered  acceptable behavior now, but think of it in the context of the times in which they lived.

[goblue2539]

The early fighters for women's rights did not conform to the typically expected behaviors of the women of their time - thus, they were not "well-behaved." They were out in the world fighting for their rights and the rights of others - what they did may (or may not) be considered  acceptable behavior now, but think of it in the context of the times in which they lived.

I'm quite sure they were justified in being "ill-mannered" due to the circumstances.  One of my personal guidelines for a good protest is whether it is a person or a system that's being attacked and asked to change.  Attacking people, not ok.  Attacking a system, ok.  Even if the protestors are well-behaved, I try to figure out what they are trying to accomplish and if there's any chance of success.  Marching outside of a campaign center makes a lot more sense and is more likely to produce results than marching outside of a school.