Comment 42642

By Borrelli (registered) | Posted June 30, 2010 at 14:47:08

Interesting comments posted above. I am working with some colleagues of mine involved in social justice groups and labour unions to try to talk to social movement org's and a few labour unions about looking at alternative models of mobilization, so I appreciate any comments or criticism. A few comments in response:

Kiely: "But the real problem is the people." --> Agreed, but that's sort of what I'm trying to draw attention to here. Democracy requires some mass agreement around issues, and clearly there is no sound consensus around many of the issues discussed at the G20, hence protesting. However, the goal of protesting can't simply be an expression of frustration, anger, and grievances. People don't change their opinions in response to those emotions--they are more likely to stand firm with those opinions. Protest has to constructively bring more people onside in an effort to secure a majority opinion. What we have seen since Seattle is that public images of violence alienate the massive chunk of the public who abhor violence (even violence to property). That's why I think constructive coalition/community building is of more importance than symbolic protests that feature violence, even tangentially.

Undustrial: "There is a fundamental unwillingness to cover radical issues or perspectives within the media, no matter how they're being brought up, or how much evidence they have." --> Good point, but I don't see that as a justification to continue with business-as-usual. Media are MORE than willing to cover blood-soaked stories involving conflict, and one story like that goes a lot further to colour public perceptions of social justice activists than 10 stories about successful fundraisers for Africa. Consider: Sunday night after a weekend of coverage, 60% of readers on the Toronto Star's website, a liberal bastion if there was one, believed the police response to protesters on Sunday was appropriate. Only ~40% were convinced it was heavy handed, with 14,000 or so votes cast. That's shocking to me, and I think that says a lot. Worse still, it goes some way to legitimize state violence against citizens with alternative ideas.

Mike: "Of course people should be discussing real issues socially. This is (at least partially) what living in a society is about. But an alternative to protests or assembly? I don't think so." --> Not an alternative to those, Mike, an alternative to mega-protests in the Seattle model. Those have become, at best, violent stalemates. What I'm arguing is that more good can be accomplished by 10 or 100 small protests that bring together communities, than mega-protests that have turned into adrenaline-fueled, set-piece battles with security forces. Do you know what I think was the most successful protest/assembly all weekend long, from both a moral AND public relations standpoint? The semi-spontaneous one (abetted by Twitter) the next day in front of Police HQ. After all the stormtroopers went home, the eyes and ears of the City were finally on real citizens who had their civil liberties violated during the summit, not burning cop cars and broken windows.

Thanks again for the input--I'm happy to receive it--it is great food for thought.

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