This week: Taking to the Streets

Driving through Bennington, VT this weekend, we saw anti-abortion protesters march down the main boulevard waving signs, chanting slogans, and halting traffic. Grassroots political protest has become far less visible in America in the last 20 years. Have you ever protested in support of a cause? What political issues really matter to you? What government actions would spur you to engage in civil disobedience?

See what Tripod members had to say about drugs as a campaign issue in the last survey. For other past survey results, check our survey archive.

A new Politics & Community survey is published each Thursday.

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rjnerd: I have marched for AIDS. I have stood on a corner promoting the election of a political candidate. (I now think "campagain organization" is an oxymoron)

I was planning to participate in the "million geek march" but that seems to have fizzled.

jrjones: I haven't marched before - but I am so appalled by President Clinton's veto of the partial birth abortion ban that I am really tempted now. Especially since the Senate lacked the guts to override it.

Kimmy: I have marched in support of/against many issues. Protesting nuclear plants, giving out free condoms to raise AIDS awareness, candle-light vigils to promote human rights awareness, marching to show disapproval of a women's studies position being cut at my university, yelling angry words at the Chinese embassy on the weekend of the Tianenmen Square massacre, etc. I am now less inclined to protest because I try hard to find positive ways to effect change, rather than protesting all the time. I still believe that marches and protests are valuable in terms of consciousness raising for the general public and for creating a sense of solidarity among groups, but most of the time, I stay away from "No {fill in the blank}"- type protests now. I prefer to lean toward the solution-oriented side of things.

ernstr: I will protest any TAX HIKE that further dips into my pocketbook for any more social entitlements. Enough is enough. Remember 1993?

Earthchild: I am an extremly involved activist in Child Advocacy legislation. From letter writing and emailing legislators, I've now progressed to taking trips to the state capitol to meet with them in person, and I am currently planning to host a public "meet the candidates" forum for my community. I address almost any issues affecting the health, safety and education of children.

hbowen: The only time I would engage in any sort of a public demonstration would be one that would call for a ban on blaming the SYMPTOMS of the various social ills and a requirement to look at and find solutions to the CAUSES of these ills. Too many spout this or that just in order to gain money from the gullible or bring attention to themselves. Then that would call for a very close inspection of our current values, wouldn't it?

Lelacargill: I would like to protest the gradual erosion of privacy rights. Someone needs to take notice. Drug testing in the workplace (who granted employers the right to snoop in our bodily fluids?), surveillance cameras everywhere (some of them can hear you too), censorship, no private E-mail, etc. Can you sheep not see the forest for the trees?

naving: I believe that the most common protest (one in which I took part) in the internet world was the blue ribbon campain for free speech

smouer: I would like to protest one-dimensional thinking in the liberal media, such as Tripod. You are undisciplined, only live for today, want instant ratification, attack politicians who would end your parasitic welfare state, live a drugged existences, remain in a general stupor, encourage women to kill their unborn (so there is more for you?), and you hate fathers and anyone who stands for discipline. Your parasitic existence on the more industrious members of our culture will probably bring you to a violent end, despite, or perhaps because of, your efforts to disarm them. And finally, you don't have the courage to publish opposeing views, such as this.

Dictator: I would protest if Clinton is re-elected, Dole doesn't win, Dole loses, or Clinton doesn't lose. I really hope we keep our conservative to give ourselves the opportunity to have both a conservative legislative branch along with a conserative president. This is the one combination we haven't had in over forty years.

TriMe: I am currently planning a protest! Our local garbage company (City Garbage Company) has just stopped taking recyclables. I hope that by making an issue out of this change, and bringing in media coverage, that the company will change its mind. Protesting can make a difference!

andreamer: I participate in all sorts of gay rights activism -- chalking slogans on the sidewalk, Pride Week, and the like. I have participated in the Take Back The Night rally to help stop domestic violence and violence against women and children in general. I have protested against erosion of freedom of speech by turning our school's home page black for the blue ribbon campaign's main weekend (this was unauthorized but I didn't get in TOO much trouble) and by helping to translate into English a book banned in France. I picketed Phil Gramm when he came to our school -- the main issue behind that one was his support of cuts in student financial aid. And I am often moved to write letters to elected officials.

rgrover: I have protested the lack of handicapped access to business and government buildings and the lack of concern for handicapped issues during legislative sessions. I did not knowingly break any laws and do not feel that law-breaking is neccessary or productive in this country.

cylee: Protesting is a freedom we should utilize. I protest and boycott whenever an injustice occurs, even if it is just a local food store that treats its customers crappy. I am still a child of the 60's and look at what we protested then. May we never give up expressing our thoughts and ideas.

DEGE: I really have not protested for a cause. I have signed numerous petitions. Like the one for the CDA. See my home page about this. The political issues that matter the most to me are the ones that will effect the future of this planet. I want my children (when I have them) to be able to live in a safe world. If there was ever any civil unrest, such as that in L.A. many years ago, I would not under any circumstances take part.

rdrake: I've been active in a few protests: against unreasonable searches, for legislation proptecting choice, for legislation easing the adoption process, and for open information. There are a lot of issues I'd be willing to march for, but the marches and protests need to meet basic requirements: a critical mass of people, an easy to understand, short message, and a willingness by organizers to cooperate with those trying to protect marchers.

Lelacargill: I would like to respond to "smouer". Boy, is he the big black pot calling the kettle black too! One dimensional thinking? It looks like he invented it! I've never seen a paragraph so narrow minded. Must be another one of those "ditto heads" that can't think for himself. He needs the "Moral, right wing, controlling, don't care about the poor, overpopulating right to lifers, dictators" to tell him how to think. And I guess Tripod proved him wrong about being courageous enough to print his diatribe. That's because the liberals know how to support Freedom of Speech, Women's rights to control their own bodies, and all those other "Constitutional" rights.

AHJAZZ: The last time I protested was in 1970, against the Vietnam war. I didn't think at the time that it meant anything or would change anything. I did miss a half day of high school, however. By the time I was eighteen,in 1972, the draft was over. The war was over in the next few years. Who knows if the marching helped? Perhaps it did. I would like to think the next time I march for an issue, it would be an issue I feel strongly about. Right now I just don't have the time and I have more responsibilities. Also, I'm apathetic.

jmd: I've marched many times for reproductive health rights, and walked to raise money to bring an end to domestic violence. I marched and held signs to protest the nomination of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, before it was in vogue to believe Anita Hill. I've participated in teach-ins at my alma mater regarding racism and anti-semitism. And in every place, in nearly every instance, one found both kindred spirits and opposition.

smouer, Tripod is a "liberal" media agent -- as "liberal" means open, expansive, and "directed toward a greater broadening of the mind." Some survey comments are anything but, and yet are still printed, like this particular missive of yours.

crooner: I'm sick of marches. In Australia all they ever do is bloody protest. Lock the bastards up I say!