From the article: I've seen estimates that 5 million people turned out for the U.S. April 5 protests, and found the silence of major news outlets shocking. 15+% of the population of my small city...
From the article:
On Sunday morning around 8 a.m., I scanned the home pages of some of the most influential news organizations in the United States, looking for coverage of the mass protests on Saturday. And I asked friends and relatives in various locations to tell me what their print newspapers had done with the story.
Quick answer: Not close to what it deserved.
Here’s some of what I found:
In the Wall Street Journal, the story’s placement was the 20th most important. If you weren’t specifically looking for it, the coverage of 1,200 different protests in every state — and several in European cities — would not have caught your eye.
In the New York Times, the home page made it only the eighth most prominent. The main online photo was Trump at the White House with his fist raised. In the Times print edition, there was no article on Sunday front page; a smallish (two-column) photo, below the fold, carried a reference to a story inside the paper.
On the Fox News home page, I stopped counting after I scanned 40 articles and scrolled endlessly. I did see a video on Saturday, dismissively headlined, “Liberals rally against President Trump.”
The Washington Post and the Guardian found the story more important, as did CNN, which at one point on live TV had a banner headline: “MILLIONS OF PEOPLE PROTEST AGAINST TRUMP & MUSK.” They had live video from cities around the U.S.
The Washington Post didn’t put a story (only a teaser) on its Sunday front page in print. They placed it fourth on their Sunday morning home page — with a photo of big crowds in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Guardian US played it as their third most prominent article online. The Boston Globe and my hometown Buffalo News displayed their coverage inside the Sunday print paper, not on the front page. The Globe did give the story prominent display on the local section front, noting that 30,000 people had participated.
Organizers said that more than 100,000 demonstrators came to the protests in both New York and Washington DC. Crowd estimates are always tricky, but that certainly seems like a big story to me.
For weeks and months, I’ve been reading stories and analyses in major news organizations about how the public resistance to Trump is so much quieter now than in 2017.
But when the protests did happen, much of the media reaction was something between a yawn and a shrug. Or, in some outlets, a sneer.
I've seen estimates that 5 million people turned out for the U.S. April 5 protests, and found the silence of major news outlets shocking. 15+% of the population of my small city hit the streets, similar numbers turned out in major cities, and even there, the news coverage was local if at all.
I know there's a global belief that Americans are just passively accepting Trump's aggressive cruelties and mad whims, but this is comprehensively untrue. It's hard to accept that we are hidden behind a gauze curtain of media cowardice and compliance.
I kept searching on my phone that afternoon as well, and found very little coverage. That being said, These are rookie numbers. Come ON Americans your country has been taken over and this is your...
I kept searching on my phone that afternoon as well, and found very little coverage.
That being said,
Organizers said that more than 100,000 demonstrators came to the protests in both New York and Washington DC.
These are rookie numbers. Come ON Americans your country has been taken over and this is your response? Not even close to a million from New York? Why are people so disaffected?
Speaking strictly for myself, it's a combination of personal history and cultural norms. Primarily (IMO) it is the simple fact that I have no history of it. This weekend was literally the second...
Speaking strictly for myself, it's a combination of personal history and cultural norms.
Primarily (IMO) it is the simple fact that I have no history of it. This weekend was literally the second protest I have ever been to in my entire life. The other was the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in 2010. And that was honestly more "for the lulz" than out of any actual sense of "things need to change".
It's not part of my modus operandi to think about in the first place. "hey I don't like X, I should leave my house and go march and protest about it". I am unpracticed at it, so there is a large initial social/mental/emotional hurdle to overcome. Where do I start? What should I bring? Do I go to all of the protests? Some of them? What do I do if "things turn bad"? Does this actually accomplish anything?
And I exist in a pretty privileged space. I have a fairly secure job, own a house, have no dependents, and a series of other biographical labels lend me enormous privilege. So if I find it even mildly difficult to get out and protest, I can only imagine how difficult it is for people who have the stresses and logistical complications of being underemployed, overworked, childcare, eldercare, or being any minority.
And finally, there is still a large chunk of the population who are either by choice or by necessity (limited time, energy) mostly disengaged from the news cycles. They may be generally aware of "things seem bad", or that "people are upset at Trump, again", but they aren't aware of the specifics.
I know first hand that there's a critical difference there, because when I talk to family back home that is sometimes the focal point. Family will have heard of a news event filtered through second-hand from friends/family, but they didn't get the whole story (often because it was via conservative media in the first place). The critical information is often downplayed or omitted. And that critical information is often what outlines the long-ranging consequences of decisions and actions that are being taken now. Tariffs for instance, have zero impact on my day to day life for at least the next few weeks and maybe months. But they will affect me. But if the information about how is omitted or downplayed, by the time the consequences actually arrive it will be difficult for the same news-deficient people to connect it back to original cause.
This is rapidly changing though. Trump 2.0 is moving so quickly and the consequences are arriving so close to the action that more people are paying attention. Firing several thousand federal workers all at the same time was one such thing. Going after Social Security was another.
We can only hope that enough people start paying attention quickly enough, before we're left standing in a pile of rubble, wondering what just happened.
As an outside observer I don't understand why people aren't protesting day and night. You're right about it being weird and new and uncomfortable: hopefully folks will encourage one another and...
As an outside observer I don't understand why people aren't protesting day and night. You're right about it being weird and new and uncomfortable: hopefully folks will encourage one another and get used to it quickly.
But yeah, hopefully this isn't "it", hopefully enough people will keep going to gather people until critical mass.
Because if we don't keep working we lose everything, and when the protests aren't majority white like this past weekend they get police harassment. If I took a week off of work to sit in front of...
Because if we don't keep working we lose everything, and when the protests aren't majority white like this past weekend they get police harassment. If I took a week off of work to sit in front of my congressperson's office non-stop I might get a news story, I probably still wouldn't talk to that asshole, and, well, I might be ok at work because they can't legally punish me for my free speech but state employee privileges there.
I can't not go home to my partner though.
Many people just also don't know how to protest effectively. And so it's taking time for leaders there to train people and respond. And there are needs for people besides the protestors - people to feed the protest, organize transportation, provide childcare, etc. Especially if we progress to civil disobedience. I can't get arrested but I can help provide food to families whose members have chosen that route.
Also there are some smaller towns where 1/3 of their population showed up. We had over a thousand in our city alone, and that's not nothing. It should grow from here.
That's amazing that these smaller towns, especially in a sea of red, and people who aren't privileged, come out. I know one march doesn't change a regime (if only!!) but folks find each other this...
That's amazing that these smaller towns, especially in a sea of red, and people who aren't privileged, come out. I know one march doesn't change a regime (if only!!) but folks find each other this way and are strengthened for the long fight ahead.
They work hard to keep citizens on the brink precisely for this reason, I believe. What organized evil. I always think back to the protesting mother hens from Animal Farm, who were threatened and starved until they "willingly" came down from the rafters, to "agree" to sell their children to fatten the pigs.
One thing the organisers need to make use of: organise small teams that make use of our varying circumstances. "Brothers climbing the same mountain: different routes, same goal".
One kind I was a part of: postering team. Someone who can do graphics design make eye fetching media. Next, someone with home printer and can "watch" for jams/paper refill. Someone else can pay for page/ink subscription to the max, plus buy paper. The goal is to print off reams of pamphlets and label stickers. Another volunteer pick up the printouts. Another will organise small groups (for safety) to staple them all over town and sticker them everywhere. Community bulletins in cafes, bars, restaurants, groceries, lampposts etc. Any space with phamplets for folks to pick up: airport, train station, bus depot, hotels, library. For the gutsy: any available wall, subway train cars, inside elevators, business lobbies. Someone make an online map of all publicly available bulletin boards in town.
I ran out of time for my previous post, but wanted to mention that kind of thing is happening. My various circle(s) of friends have all been talking about what we can all DO. We've been talking...
hopefully folks will encourage one another and get used to it quickly
I ran out of time for my previous post, but wanted to mention that kind of thing is happening. My various circle(s) of friends have all been talking about what we can all DO. We've been talking since Nov. We're talking more and more about what protests to go to, how to get there, how to encourage and bring others, etc. It's happening, and it's happening much more slowly than it should, but it's happening.
This definitely won't be the last mass protest, and it also won't get smaller from here.
I'm super encouraged for you guys! Here's a subreddit with practical and safety tips for folks unused to non violent civil disobedience some tips copied: BEFORE YOU GO: – Tell someone where you’re...
I'm super encouraged for you guys!
Here's a subreddit with practical and safety tips for folks unused to non violent civil disobedience
some tips copied:
BEFORE YOU GO:
– Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll check in
– Full phone charge, backup charger, and no, a cracked screen doesn’t make you invincible
– Comfortable shoes. Closed toe. You’re walking, not modeling.
– Dress in layers, no flashy logos unless you want to be easy to track
– Mask up: not just for germs, but because cops have facial recognition and zero chill
– Bring a sign if you want. Just don’t bring one so big you can’t drop it and run
PHONE SAFETY:
– Use a passcode, not your face
– Airplane mode = peace of mind when you’re not filming
– Location OFF
– Back that phone up like your dignity depends on it
– Do not livestream unless you know what you’re doing. You're not Spielberg.
MENTAL PREP:
– Breathe. Not because yoga’s going to stop a flashbang, but because panic gets you arrested faster than rage
– Know why you’re there. And no, “for the vibes” isn’t enough
– Stay chill. The guy frothing at the mouth next to you is probably a fed
DURING THE PROTEST:
– Stay with your crew
– Know your exits
– Don’t talk to provocateurs. Don’t film them. Don’t fucking engage
– If you’re filming, you better be documenting—not clout-chasing
Off top of my head: Bring basic antibacterial gel and a few bandaids. Bring an offline map of closest restaurants/spaces with public washrooms (in case a lot of running water is needed). Bring masks for fellow protestors.
Volunteer for your local red cross to access free training.
I think you're very right: The turnout isn't where it would be for this to be huge news. This isn't some Occupy Wall Street moment. This isn't some "it's not in the interests of the media" moment....
I think you're very right: The turnout isn't where it would be for this to be huge news.
This isn't some Occupy Wall Street moment.
This isn't some "it's not in the interests of the media" moment.
It isn't a moment where protests are being suppressed for some agenda.
It just wasn't a big deal. The turnout means coverage seems appropriate to me. Maybe it even got too much coverage considering all the actually important things happening that engage a much larger proportion of the country or influence many more lives.
People are tired. People have given up. People support Trump or they don't care. There is no protesting movement right now. If there were, the numbers would lead to this being a much bigger deal. To political reactions, to setting the agenda. None of that has happened (yet?)
I mean, I'm not saying the media isn't somehow biased into not reporting this. BUt the turnout is worrying to say the least. "People are tired" - yes, from precarious employment and being on the...
I mean, I'm not saying the media isn't somehow biased into not reporting this.
BUt the turnout is worrying to say the least.
"People are tired" - yes, from precarious employment and being on the brink of poverty, homelessness, hunger and dying from lack of healthcare.
"People have given up." - I do think that Americans are.....coddled? is that offensive? That Americans are so used to feeling like they're on top of the world and best at everything and just generally blind to forces bigger than them that could upend their lives. Does it come from being on a new continent with no meaningful modern wars? Like, Americans didn't really seem to super care even after 911: we'll bomb some rando brown people, yay, mission accomplished. It's so weird. It's such a weird mix of "they have it so good they don't want to stand out" + "they're so exhausted they can't stand out".
"There is no protesting movement right now" -- hopefully this is just getting started. Hopefully Bernie's Fight Oligarchy Tour get enough people to keep going: keep going to the primaries, to every by-election, every town hall, every thing. Posters on every wall in every town kind of thing.
As said before, we are spread out AF. 5 million is a lot nationwide, but we are scattered across a continent. it's not going to look as impressive as even 50k people in a small country. It's a...
As said before, we are spread out AF. 5 million is a lot nationwide, but we are scattered across a continent. it's not going to look as impressive as even 50k people in a small country.
It's a good sign, though. There will be another protest next weekend and "critical mass" for such demonstrations to enact change starts around 3%. Or around 10 million in this case.
by the same metric, 8m live in NY state, so that number would need to be around 240k.
fwiw, Trump did try to deflect his about face on "people being yippy". Now lets try to be twice as yippy next week.
To be honest, that doesn’t seem like a whole lot. Given all the other news happening, I can hardly blame the NYT for putting it 8th - there are definitely at least 7 stories more important that day.
Organizers said that more than 100,000 demonstrators came to the protests in both New York and Washington DC.
To be honest, that doesn’t seem like a whole lot. Given all the other news happening, I can hardly blame the NYT for putting it 8th - there are definitely at least 7 stories more important that day.
I don't think it's entirely surprising that the protests don't get nearly enough attention. Encouraging protests would certainly not be in the interest of those who own the media at this juncture....
I know there's a global belief that Americans are just passively accepting Trump's aggressive cruelties and mad whims, but this is comprehensively untrue. It's hard to accept that we are hidden behind a gauze curtain of media cowardice and compliance.
I don't think it's entirely surprising that the protests don't get nearly enough attention. Encouraging protests would certainly not be in the interest of those who own the media at this juncture. And for them, it would probably be dangerous.
Because if civil unrest keeps on going, with the current resentment towards the upper-upper class, and how Luigi is considered a hero by many. Yeah...
Incidentally, I've seen mentions of it in the Dutch news cycles. We're of course busy with vaguely gestures at the world on fire, but we're definitely aware of the (growing) resistance.
I see people commenting here that the numbers for places like DC and New York are disappointing. But people should remember that these states/area are overwhelmingly blue states. While it makes...
I see people commenting here that the numbers for places like DC and New York are disappointing. But people should remember that these states/area are overwhelmingly blue states. While it makes sense to think larger population/larger population of those willing to protest means there should be more people, I don’t think people understand how tired and exhausted some people are, and thus can’t or won’t go out to protest in a state that already declared(through voting) they don’t like what the current admin is doing. It’s also fair that at this point in the timeline certain groups of people feel enough fear to even show up, if you are BIPOC, disabled, etc. showing up to these protests can be dangerous. I agree with many people that it’s high time people with privilege actually used that privilege to affect change and stop putting the beast of burden on the disenfranchised.
What I wish the MSM would focus on is that states like: Idaho, Wisconsin, Ohio, etc. SHOWED UP. Tons of small towns or rural towns also performed protests. This is huge. This is big. While we can say we wish more had happened, 5million people showed up and a non negligible number were from places we didn’t expect.
Lastly, these protests seemed to transcend age. I went and saw lots of older folks and even children. Families. It helped me realize I was perhaps being persuaded too deeply by the “boomers ruin everything” messaging. I’d say a large majority were people in the boomer+ category.
I do wish we saw more support from veterans. That group seems…oddly quiet.
For real lastly, it is an accomplishment for anything to happen in the USA across 50 states at the same times. We have been fractured and disorganized for a long time now, and I hope this peak or sliver of unity can stoke our fires.
That’s a fair point. I suppose visibility through organizations or overt signs ? I would feel more solidarity if our military showed any opposition to the current admin, but I know that active...
That’s a fair point. I suppose visibility through organizations or overt signs ?
I would feel more solidarity if our military showed any opposition to the current admin, but I know that active duty is limited in its ability to do that, so unfortunately the burden would be on veterans/non-active duty.
I would say we are in a weird timeline since parody is hard to tell and those being parodied take it as a compliment for all the wrong reasons. But it goes to show you we cannot “go high” and that...
I would say we are in a weird timeline since parody is hard to tell and those being parodied take it as a compliment for all the wrong reasons.
But it goes to show you we cannot “go high” and that subtlety and nuance, or anything remotely beyond the literal - is dead.
We can only have signs like, “your dad is a drunk” or “you are a coward” (though even that one is not literal enough).
I'd like to point out that we're less than 90 days into the Trump presidency. The enormous Washington, DC Women's March of 2018 happened with 18 months to organize. The "Hands Off" events were...
I'd like to point out that we're less than 90 days into the Trump presidency. The enormous Washington, DC Women's March of 2018 happened with 18 months to organize.
The "Hands Off" events were specifically directed at local activism, to initiate the protest organization at a manageable scale, and let people join with members of their immediate communities. Traveling across the country for a mass D.C. protest is logistically challenging for most of the U.S. population, let alone on short notice.
I've been to D.C. marches, and it's a rough 12-hour car journey each way for me from the middle of the U.S. I can't imagine the challenges for people who don't have reliable transport, child care, time off work, etc. Even so, the D.C. Hands Off organizers had six times the expected, RSVP'ed attendees arrive, and had to coordinate quickly with the National Park Service for expanded protest space.
I'd also like consideration for the people who showed up in supposedly "deep red" places. As /u/Carrie pointed out, it's a big deal to expose yourself to the possibility of community condemnation. As anecdata, there were exactly two counter-protestors with Trump signs at my home town's event; imagine yourself surrounded by potentially armed MAGA vigilantes. And yet there were zero reported incidents of violence at 1,300 protest sites around the country.
From the article:
I've seen estimates that 5 million people turned out for the U.S. April 5 protests, and found the silence of major news outlets shocking. 15+% of the population of my small city hit the streets, similar numbers turned out in major cities, and even there, the news coverage was local if at all.
I know there's a global belief that Americans are just passively accepting Trump's aggressive cruelties and mad whims, but this is comprehensively untrue. It's hard to accept that we are hidden behind a gauze curtain of media cowardice and compliance.
For those not familiar with Margaret Sullivan, she's a consummate journalism insider who's been writing for years about the conjunction between U.S. democratic decline and the loss of newspapers, as well as the insider's view of what does and doesn't get published.
I kept searching on my phone that afternoon as well, and found very little coverage.
That being said,
These are rookie numbers. Come ON Americans your country has been taken over and this is your response? Not even close to a million from New York? Why are people so disaffected?
Speaking strictly for myself, it's a combination of personal history and cultural norms.
Primarily (IMO) it is the simple fact that I have no history of it. This weekend was literally the second protest I have ever been to in my entire life. The other was the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in 2010. And that was honestly more "for the lulz" than out of any actual sense of "things need to change".
It's not part of my modus operandi to think about in the first place. "hey I don't like X, I should leave my house and go march and protest about it". I am unpracticed at it, so there is a large initial social/mental/emotional hurdle to overcome. Where do I start? What should I bring? Do I go to all of the protests? Some of them? What do I do if "things turn bad"? Does this actually accomplish anything?
And I exist in a pretty privileged space. I have a fairly secure job, own a house, have no dependents, and a series of other biographical labels lend me enormous privilege. So if I find it even mildly difficult to get out and protest, I can only imagine how difficult it is for people who have the stresses and logistical complications of being underemployed, overworked, childcare, eldercare, or being any minority.
And finally, there is still a large chunk of the population who are either by choice or by necessity (limited time, energy) mostly disengaged from the news cycles. They may be generally aware of "things seem bad", or that "people are upset at Trump, again", but they aren't aware of the specifics.
I know first hand that there's a critical difference there, because when I talk to family back home that is sometimes the focal point. Family will have heard of a news event filtered through second-hand from friends/family, but they didn't get the whole story (often because it was via conservative media in the first place). The critical information is often downplayed or omitted. And that critical information is often what outlines the long-ranging consequences of decisions and actions that are being taken now. Tariffs for instance, have zero impact on my day to day life for at least the next few weeks and maybe months. But they will affect me. But if the information about how is omitted or downplayed, by the time the consequences actually arrive it will be difficult for the same news-deficient people to connect it back to original cause.
This is rapidly changing though. Trump 2.0 is moving so quickly and the consequences are arriving so close to the action that more people are paying attention. Firing several thousand federal workers all at the same time was one such thing. Going after Social Security was another.
We can only hope that enough people start paying attention quickly enough, before we're left standing in a pile of rubble, wondering what just happened.
As an outside observer I don't understand why people aren't protesting day and night. You're right about it being weird and new and uncomfortable: hopefully folks will encourage one another and get used to it quickly.
But yeah, hopefully this isn't "it", hopefully enough people will keep going to gather people until critical mass.
Because if we don't keep working we lose everything, and when the protests aren't majority white like this past weekend they get police harassment. If I took a week off of work to sit in front of my congressperson's office non-stop I might get a news story, I probably still wouldn't talk to that asshole, and, well, I might be ok at work because they can't legally punish me for my free speech but state employee privileges there.
I can't not go home to my partner though.
Many people just also don't know how to protest effectively. And so it's taking time for leaders there to train people and respond. And there are needs for people besides the protestors - people to feed the protest, organize transportation, provide childcare, etc. Especially if we progress to civil disobedience. I can't get arrested but I can help provide food to families whose members have chosen that route.
Also there are some smaller towns where 1/3 of their population showed up. We had over a thousand in our city alone, and that's not nothing. It should grow from here.
That's amazing that these smaller towns, especially in a sea of red, and people who aren't privileged, come out. I know one march doesn't change a regime (if only!!) but folks find each other this way and are strengthened for the long fight ahead.
They work hard to keep citizens on the brink precisely for this reason, I believe. What organized evil. I always think back to the protesting mother hens from Animal Farm, who were threatened and starved until they "willingly" came down from the rafters, to "agree" to sell their children to fatten the pigs.
One thing the organisers need to make use of: organise small teams that make use of our varying circumstances. "Brothers climbing the same mountain: different routes, same goal".
One kind I was a part of: postering team. Someone who can do graphics design make eye fetching media. Next, someone with home printer and can "watch" for jams/paper refill. Someone else can pay for page/ink subscription to the max, plus buy paper. The goal is to print off reams of pamphlets and label stickers. Another volunteer pick up the printouts. Another will organise small groups (for safety) to staple them all over town and sticker them everywhere. Community bulletins in cafes, bars, restaurants, groceries, lampposts etc. Any space with phamplets for folks to pick up: airport, train station, bus depot, hotels, library. For the gutsy: any available wall, subway train cars, inside elevators, business lobbies. Someone make an online map of all publicly available bulletin boards in town.
I ran out of time for my previous post, but wanted to mention that kind of thing is happening. My various circle(s) of friends have all been talking about what we can all DO. We've been talking since Nov. We're talking more and more about what protests to go to, how to get there, how to encourage and bring others, etc. It's happening, and it's happening much more slowly than it should, but it's happening.
This definitely won't be the last mass protest, and it also won't get smaller from here.
I'm super encouraged for you guys!
Here's a subreddit with practical and safety tips for folks unused to non violent civil disobedience
some tips copied:
BEFORE YOU GO:
– Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll check in
– Full phone charge, backup charger, and no, a cracked screen doesn’t make you invincible
– Comfortable shoes. Closed toe. You’re walking, not modeling.
– Dress in layers, no flashy logos unless you want to be easy to track
– Mask up: not just for germs, but because cops have facial recognition and zero chill
– Bring a sign if you want. Just don’t bring one so big you can’t drop it and run
PHONE SAFETY:
– Use a passcode, not your face
– Airplane mode = peace of mind when you’re not filming
– Location OFF
– Back that phone up like your dignity depends on it
– Do not livestream unless you know what you’re doing. You're not Spielberg.
MENTAL PREP:
– Breathe. Not because yoga’s going to stop a flashbang, but because panic gets you arrested faster than rage
– Know why you’re there. And no, “for the vibes” isn’t enough
– Stay chill. The guy frothing at the mouth next to you is probably a fed
DURING THE PROTEST:
– Stay with your crew
– Know your exits
– Don’t talk to provocateurs. Don’t film them. Don’t fucking engage
– If you’re filming, you better be documenting—not clout-chasing
Off top of my head: Bring basic antibacterial gel and a few bandaids. Bring an offline map of closest restaurants/spaces with public washrooms (in case a lot of running water is needed). Bring masks for fellow protestors.
Volunteer for your local red cross to access free training.
I think you're very right: The turnout isn't where it would be for this to be huge news.
This isn't some Occupy Wall Street moment.
This isn't some "it's not in the interests of the media" moment.
It isn't a moment where protests are being suppressed for some agenda.
It just wasn't a big deal. The turnout means coverage seems appropriate to me. Maybe it even got too much coverage considering all the actually important things happening that engage a much larger proportion of the country or influence many more lives.
People are tired. People have given up. People support Trump or they don't care. There is no protesting movement right now. If there were, the numbers would lead to this being a much bigger deal. To political reactions, to setting the agenda. None of that has happened (yet?)
I mean, I'm not saying the media isn't somehow biased into not reporting this.
BUt the turnout is worrying to say the least.
"People are tired" - yes, from precarious employment and being on the brink of poverty, homelessness, hunger and dying from lack of healthcare.
"People have given up." - I do think that Americans are.....coddled? is that offensive? That Americans are so used to feeling like they're on top of the world and best at everything and just generally blind to forces bigger than them that could upend their lives. Does it come from being on a new continent with no meaningful modern wars? Like, Americans didn't really seem to super care even after 911: we'll bomb some rando brown people, yay, mission accomplished. It's so weird. It's such a weird mix of "they have it so good they don't want to stand out" + "they're so exhausted they can't stand out".
"There is no protesting movement right now" -- hopefully this is just getting started. Hopefully Bernie's Fight Oligarchy Tour get enough people to keep going: keep going to the primaries, to every by-election, every town hall, every thing. Posters on every wall in every town kind of thing.
As said before, we are spread out AF. 5 million is a lot nationwide, but we are scattered across a continent. it's not going to look as impressive as even 50k people in a small country.
It's a good sign, though. There will be another protest next weekend and "critical mass" for such demonstrations to enact change starts around 3%. Or around 10 million in this case.
by the same metric, 8m live in NY state, so that number would need to be around 240k.
fwiw, Trump did try to deflect his about face on "people being yippy". Now lets try to be twice as yippy next week.
Nice! I will be watching for news coverage and cheering for y'all
To be honest, that doesn’t seem like a whole lot. Given all the other news happening, I can hardly blame the NYT for putting it 8th - there are definitely at least 7 stories more important that day.
I don't think it's entirely surprising that the protests don't get nearly enough attention. Encouraging protests would certainly not be in the interest of those who own the media at this juncture. And for them, it would probably be dangerous.
Because if civil unrest keeps on going, with the current resentment towards the upper-upper class, and how Luigi is considered a hero by many. Yeah...
Incidentally, I've seen mentions of it in the Dutch news cycles. We're of course busy with vaguely gestures at the world on fire, but we're definitely aware of the (growing) resistance.
I see people commenting here that the numbers for places like DC and New York are disappointing. But people should remember that these states/area are overwhelmingly blue states. While it makes sense to think larger population/larger population of those willing to protest means there should be more people, I don’t think people understand how tired and exhausted some people are, and thus can’t or won’t go out to protest in a state that already declared(through voting) they don’t like what the current admin is doing. It’s also fair that at this point in the timeline certain groups of people feel enough fear to even show up, if you are BIPOC, disabled, etc. showing up to these protests can be dangerous. I agree with many people that it’s high time people with privilege actually used that privilege to affect change and stop putting the beast of burden on the disenfranchised.
What I wish the MSM would focus on is that states like: Idaho, Wisconsin, Ohio, etc. SHOWED UP. Tons of small towns or rural towns also performed protests. This is huge. This is big. While we can say we wish more had happened, 5million people showed up and a non negligible number were from places we didn’t expect.
Lastly, these protests seemed to transcend age. I went and saw lots of older folks and even children. Families. It helped me realize I was perhaps being persuaded too deeply by the “boomers ruin everything” messaging. I’d say a large majority were people in the boomer+ category.
I do wish we saw more support from veterans. That group seems…oddly quiet.
For real lastly, it is an accomplishment for anything to happen in the USA across 50 states at the same times. We have been fractured and disorganized for a long time now, and I hope this peak or sliver of unity can stoke our fires.
Do you mean veteran organizations? You can't tell someone is a veteran by looking at them.
That’s a fair point. I suppose visibility through organizations or overt signs ?
I would feel more solidarity if our military showed any opposition to the current admin, but I know that active duty is limited in its ability to do that, so unfortunately the burden would be on veterans/non-active duty.
How about a military choir singing a protest song from Les Mis?
I would say we are in a weird timeline since parody is hard to tell and those being parodied take it as a compliment for all the wrong reasons.
But it goes to show you we cannot “go high” and that subtlety and nuance, or anything remotely beyond the literal - is dead.
We can only have signs like, “your dad is a drunk” or “you are a coward” (though even that one is not literal enough).
I'd like to point out that we're less than 90 days into the Trump presidency. The enormous Washington, DC Women's March of 2018 happened with 18 months to organize.
The "Hands Off" events were specifically directed at local activism, to initiate the protest organization at a manageable scale, and let people join with members of their immediate communities. Traveling across the country for a mass D.C. protest is logistically challenging for most of the U.S. population, let alone on short notice.
I've been to D.C. marches, and it's a rough 12-hour car journey each way for me from the middle of the U.S. I can't imagine the challenges for people who don't have reliable transport, child care, time off work, etc. Even so, the D.C. Hands Off organizers had six times the expected, RSVP'ed attendees arrive, and had to coordinate quickly with the National Park Service for expanded protest space.
I'd also like consideration for the people who showed up in supposedly "deep red" places. As /u/Carrie pointed out, it's a big deal to expose yourself to the possibility of community condemnation. As anecdata, there were exactly two counter-protestors with Trump signs at my home town's event; imagine yourself surrounded by potentially armed MAGA vigilantes. And yet there were zero reported incidents of violence at 1,300 protest sites around the country.
Here's some coverage by Rachel Maddow on MSNBC, emphasizing the size of crowds and the number of cities.
https://youtu.be/pr4YwdXtnnA