What Makes a Protest Effective?
A protest is when individuals or groups demonstrate or express their opposition to a specific issue or policy. Protests can come in many different forms, such as marches, rallies, sit-ins, and strikes. Throughout history, we have seen protests result in tangible and lasting change. When considering how to make a protest effective, it is important to consider the power of collective action, the goals and message of the protest, and the impact of nonviolent tactics, among other factors. Below, we look at several historic protests, examining what made them successful.
Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement, which occurred in the United States from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s, was one of the most famous protest movements of all time. This powerful movement was made up of disparate groups of people coming together to challenge the widespread racism and injustice that existed in the US at the time. In addition to the prominent figures of the movement, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., there were thousands of people engaging in civil disobedience, such as sit-ins, boycotts, and marches.
The Power of Collective Action
The success of the civil rights movement highlights the importance of collective action. This is often seen in protests that create a moral force for change. In the case of the civil rights movement, having larger numbers of individuals participating also meant that there was less chance of individuals suffering serious consequences for their involvement.
Furthermore, the ability of collective action to create public opinion and government pressure is essential to effective protests. Public opinion can be a powerful incentive for governments and corporations to change their policies and practices, as they are incentivized to appear socially conscious and responsible of public sentiment.
Clarity of Goals and Messages
Clarity is key for a successful protest. The civil rights movement was successful because there was clarity about the goals and overall message, for example, the ending of racism and segregation in the US and equal rights for black people.
Rather than having a wide range of topics, it can be helpful for protests to focus on a couple of specific goals and maintain a clear, unified message. That way, it can be easier to rally people around a clear message and maintain the momentum of the protest as it continues.
Utilization of Nonviolent Tactics
In the case of the civil rights movement, nonviolent tactics played a key role in its success. These tactics included sit-ins and boycotts, which allowed protesters to demonstrate their opposition without resorting to violence. Furthermore, these tactics garnered more public and media attention, creating support and pressure for change.
The Women’s Suffrage Movement
The Women’s Suffrage Movement, which occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was a massive effort to gain women’s right to vote in the US and other countries. This wide-reaching movement was propelled by individuals such as Susan B. Anthony, who championed the cause for over 50 years.
The Power of Collective Action
As with the civil rights movement, the power of collective action was key to the success of the women’s suffrage movement. It was important for women to organize and unite in their goal of gaining the right to vote as many believed that their efforts were unlikely to succeed alone.
Furthermore, collective action created a moral pressure on governments and corporations to change their policies, as individuals were able to generate support for their cause and bring wider attention to the issue.
Clarity of Goals and Messages
Similar to the civil rights movement, a unified goal and message allowed the women’s suffrage movement to gain momentum. Having a single, focused message was essential in rallying people around the cause, creating public sentiment and goal-oriented energy.
Utilization of Nonviolent Tactics
Nonviolent tactics were also utilized in the women’s suffrage movement. This included rallies, sit-ins, parades, and hunger strikes. These acts of civil disobedience were used to draw attention to their cause, creating sympathy and support within the wider public.
The Occupy Movement
The Occupy Movement, which began in 2011, was a campaign of civil disobedience and direct action against corporate greed and economic inequality. It was an international movement in which individuals occupied public spaces as an act of protest.
The Power of Collective Action
As with the previous protests, this movement was driven by the power of collective action. Having a great number of individuals engaging in the protests meant that the movement was more likely to be successful, as well as to create a powerful source of public pressure.
Furthermore, the ability of collective action to generate public opinion was key in the Occupy Movement, as it highlighted the underlying cause of economic inequality and put public pressure on governments and corporations to take action.
Clarity of Goals and Messages
The Occupy Movement was successful because there was a clear goal and message which every individual could easily identify. The message was “equality for all.” There were also specific goals, such as curbing corporate greed, creating job opportunities, and ending economic inequality, which allowed the movement to generate greater public support and pressure.
Utilization of Nonviolent Tactics
Nonviolent tactics were also an important factor in the success of the Occupy Movement. This included occupations, rallies, and marches. These tactics allowed the protesters to demonstrate their opposition to the system without resorting to violence, which also made it easier to gain public support and sympathy.
Making a protest effective is a complex process that takes time and effort. This article has taken a look at three significant and successful protests, examining what made them successful. We have seen that the power of collective action, clarity of goals and messages, and the utilization of nonviolent tactics were all essential factors in their success. We have also seen that, while every protest is unique and there is no one-size-fits-all approach, there are certain principles which can help make protests successful.
