Current Events > Your opinion of protests shutting down major traffic ways

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QueenCarly posted...

Paragon21XX posted...

ThyCorndog posted...

strikes, protests, etc all work best when they inconvenience as many people as possible. if they're easy to ignore, then they're pointless

I wouldn't call blocking traffic an inconvenience. Blocking traffic on a freeway without the approval of the proper authorities could possibly be considered false imprisonment as the only methods available for the occupants of a vehicle to leave the scene is to break the law whether it be attempting to slowly drive vehicle through the crowd blocking traffic risking vehicular assault charges or abandoning vehicle in the middle of the road.

Lmao

Muh authorities didn't give yuh purhmisshun to do day

That point tends to be that those with authority are the problem and need to be challenged

Going by what they dictate defeats the purpose of protest

Maybe gather around EPA headquarters or the congressional building rather than challenging random John trying to drive to work if you're so interested in fighting the power.
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Friendly reminder that people also thought MLKs protests would do more harm than good for the cause due to ruffled feathers.

https://www.crmvet.org/docs/60s_crm_public-opinion.pdf
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IronChef_Kirby posted...

Friendly reminder that people also thought MLKs protests would do more harm than good for the cause due to ruffled feathers.

https://www.crmvet.org/docs/60s_crm_public-opinion.pdf

yeah they should've just protested somewhere that didn't get in anyone's way instead. it totally would have had the same effect
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I understand why they do it but I wouldn't be happy about it.
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Hmmmmm i wonder if this thread and poll was created, because of this thread i made today?

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/261-politics/78034958

I wont say my views here on said subject, as i have already done so in the linked thread.

When those protesters on bikes protested and wouldnt move and the red car came in and gave no shits and sent that guy flying, I lost my shit. It was HILARIOUS. Thats what they get for hitting the car repeatedly for trying to get through. This was also after they tried smashing out the windows of a police cruiser.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l-0MnuutvA" data-time="

Introducing inconveniences is a great way to make me not care about your cause (at best) or actively despise it (at worst).

Philip027 posted...

Introducing inconveniences is a great way to make me not care about your cause (at best) or actively despise it (at worst).

Do you see anything wrong with that train of thought?
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Obviously not, because it's mine.

It's criminal, ineffective, and puts live in danger.
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Protests are useless if they are convenient
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Civilization will likely end in your lifetime because of climate change and all you care about is getting to work on time

hockeybub89 posted...

Protests are useless if they are convenient

That's not true at all.
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hockeybub89 posted...

Protests are useless if they are convenient

That doesn't mean the freeway is your only or best option of disruption.

Rexdragon125 posted...

Civilization will likely end in your lifetime because of climate change and all you care about is getting to work on time

So what did you do today?

Play video games?
Sleep in?

Shutting down a freeway is a lot more than a mere inconvenience.
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Yeah, IMO, there's a pretty clear difference between a protest being inconvenient and a protest that blocks the highway.

There's inconveniencing people and then there's putting lives at risk as a result of your protest.
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CableZL posted...

Yeah, IMO, there's a pretty clear difference between a protest being inconvenient and a protest that blocks the highway.

There's inconveniencing people and then there's putting lives at risk as a result of your protest.

Might be worth it depending on what they are protesting. Not all causes are equal.
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hockeybub89 posted...

Might be worth it depending on what they are protesting. Not all causes are equal.

Regardless of the perceived value of the protest, part of what a protest needs to accomplish is getting public opinion on its side. Blocking the highway does exactly the opposite of that.
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Hop103 posted...

It's criminal, ineffective, and puts live in danger.

Protests are protected by the 1st amendment.
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No one gives a fuck about the protest that stays out of everyone's way. To get people to care, you need to make them.

That said, fuck anyone who blocks off emergency services. They don't have the time, let them through.

If you're letting those people through, then I have no problem with the protest bring inconvenient to anyone else. If they don't like it, they can do something about it. Or get over it. This is America, freedom of speech yo.
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Tmaster148 posted...

Hop103 posted...

It's criminal, ineffective, and puts live in danger.

Protests are protected by the 1st amendment.

Yeah but blocking a freeway isn't.
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Member that one video of students blocking a pedestrian bridge at a college campus to protest white students or something like that?
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ThyCorndog posted...

IronChef_Kirby posted...

Friendly reminder that people also thought MLKs protests would do more harm than good for the cause due to ruffled feathers.

https://www.crmvet.org/docs/60s_crm_public-opinion.pdf

yeah they should've just protested somewhere that didn't get in anyone's way instead. it totally would have had the same effect

Is this about the freedom riders? Didn't they just ride buses and sit in diners and stuff?
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spanky1 posted...

ThyCorndog posted...

IronChef_Kirby posted...

Friendly reminder that people also thought MLKs protests would do more harm than good for the cause due to ruffled feathers.

https://www.crmvet.org/docs/60s_crm_public-opinion.pdf

yeah they should've just protested somewhere that didn't get in anyone's way instead. it totally would have had the same effect

Is this about the freedom riders? Didn't they just ride buses and sit in diners and stuff?

No, that was not the extent of their protests.
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Its counterproductive because it does nothing to win over the hearts and minds of the general public. Time would be much better spent trying to talk to people and get your message out as opposed to trying to fuck up their logistics.

The appeal of these protests is understandable though, theyre easy. You dont need to be capable of convincing or engaging someone. You dont even need to know why you are there in order to be part of a protest. You can still feel like you are part of something even though you are incapable of explaining what that something is.

The idea that disruption is the way forward is ridiculously shortsighted. It comes off as them saying were going to keep fucking things up until our demands are met. Not always the best way forward, but as stated above, its easy.

Standing in traffic. For fucks sake, people.

If protestors are blocking traffic, just start moving forward slowly and do your best to get through. If they start banging on your car and threatening you, gun it. Your outrage doesn't give you the right to impede my or anyone else's progress from point a to point b.
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People looking to get run over

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Tmaster148 posted...

Protests are meaningless if they aren't an inconvenience to somebody.

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"Protest" doesn't mean you should get a free pass to do anything you want.

Blocking a store or a company is one thing

An entire highway should not be allowed.
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I cant believe that a few people in this thread have defended the idea of blocking off roads/freeways to protest, by quoting in the First Amendment. These people demonstrate that they truly dont have a decent grasp of what freedom of speech means.

Ive said this before and I'll say it again, the First Amendment gives you the right to voice/speak your views. It does not however give you the right to be listened to. Putting others in a position where they are not given the choice to not listen to you (i.e. blocking off highways) voilates that. The first amendment does not protect you there.

If your protesting causes suffering, are you truly rightous? No.