The protests must be done right…
Posted on 19 January 2010
I am no expert on protests, but I definitely know when a protest is going to make no point to the public. This is when they get out of hand and try to push ridiculous spin points only the most indoctrinated actually believe.
Unfortunately this is my fear for the protests across Canada protesting Harper’s prorogation of Parliament. Not because the leaders of the rallies and the participants aren’t very well intentioned, but because large angry groups can get off track.
So simply put here are my simple hopes for the protests:
- Stay peaceful. There is no reason to not be peaceful. As a matter of fact any violence will destroy the legitimate message.
- Keep the message simple and factual. We are against the Prime Minister abusing their powers to avoid legitimate questioning. We want our MP’s to actually be doing their job. Things like this.
- Don’t BS the public. We know what is wrong. Don’t push the message too far. Stick to the simple points.
- Have fun. Your simple presence proves the point. Enjoy it, and you will get your point across.
That is really it. I hope people get out and show their support for the movement. We need significant democratic reform in Canada to avoid these abuses in the future and hopefully these rallies will be the first step to showing out political leaders that we are fed up with their antics. Hopefully they will take us seriously though…
Well, we can hope, right?
2 responses to The protests must be done right…
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Great points. At the rally in Windsor )http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=257142152929&ref=mf), there will be an open mic on a first come basis and everyone will have up to 3 minutes to express their thoughts on the suspension of Parliament. It will be MC’d and all will be encouraged to keep it respectful and dignified. There are no keynote speakers, and any leaders who attend will have the same chance to speak as everyone else.
Thanks for posting this Colin. I am in complete agreement with all of your statements. As one of the planners from our group, I will share this info and encourage the sentiment here. We held a pre-rally in Windsor when Mr. Flaherty was here for the Con Fund raising dinner. We were more respectful than some of the attendees who yelled at us and angrily scorned our efforts. They did look rather foolish as we smiled politely, offered them a pamphlet and told them to have a nice dinner.
Cheers and thanks again,
Michelle