I live in a red state, and I plan to be at my local protest. But I take offense to the idea that protests in blue states are somehow too “safe” or not worth the time. The shit that has gone down at protests in Los Angeles should counter that notion pretty handily.
Honestly, the protests I’ve been to in my red state were way safer than the ones in LA, with way less push back from law enforcement. Probably helps that ICE isn’t operating in my city either.
If you’re offended by this, and you really should be, the Powers That Be in California cannot change it. The protest needs to impact those making these decisions and right now it absolutely is not.
The representatives in Red states are in control in the house and senate. If it becomes clear they are acting against the will of the people they represent, that could actually change policy.
Right now, blue state reps have zero power, protesting to get their attention literally has no impact because they can’t do anything even if they wanted to.
That’s silly. There are a bunch of ways to effect change other than begging 535 assholes in Washington to do it for you.
These protests can also reach state and local officials like mayors and governors, who can effectively resist and repel federal incursions like Pritzker and Johnson just did in Chicago. They can drive awareness by getting the attention of people unfamiliar with or apathetic to the issues at hand. They can enable people to network and lay the groundwork for future actions. Hell, at their most basic level, they remind those of us fighting this fight that we are still sane and we are not alone.
If you’re going to just sit and wait for Congress to change things, good fucking luck with that, no matter which party holds your seats.
I live in a red state, and I plan to be at my local protest. But I take offense to the idea that protests in blue states are somehow too “safe” or not worth the time. The shit that has gone down at protests in Los Angeles should counter that notion pretty handily.
Honestly, the protests I’ve been to in my red state were way safer than the ones in LA, with way less push back from law enforcement. Probably helps that ICE isn’t operating in my city either.
Let me phrase it like this then… what have the protests in LA accomplished?
ICE is still operating with impunity, if anything they have accelerated.
Trump has increased military presence in places like D.C. and is threatening other cities.
The Supreme Court ruled it’s A-OK to detain people who look hispanic or are caught “speaking Spanish in public”.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c784697j2v8o
Soo… good jorb?
If you’re offended by this, and you really should be, the Powers That Be in California cannot change it. The protest needs to impact those making these decisions and right now it absolutely is not.
So how is that different for red states?
The representatives in Red states are in control in the house and senate. If it becomes clear they are acting against the will of the people they represent, that could actually change policy.
Right now, blue state reps have zero power, protesting to get their attention literally has no impact because they can’t do anything even if they wanted to.
Who said these protests were to get the attention of House and Senate reps?
I mean, that’s definitely a useful thing, but it’s certainly not the only goal of a protest.
It’s the only goal if your intent is to effect change.
Unfortunately, most people’s intent is “Look at meeeee!”
That’s silly. There are a bunch of ways to effect change other than begging 535 assholes in Washington to do it for you.
These protests can also reach state and local officials like mayors and governors, who can effectively resist and repel federal incursions like Pritzker and Johnson just did in Chicago. They can drive awareness by getting the attention of people unfamiliar with or apathetic to the issues at hand. They can enable people to network and lay the groundwork for future actions. Hell, at their most basic level, they remind those of us fighting this fight that we are still sane and we are not alone.
If you’re going to just sit and wait for Congress to change things, good fucking luck with that, no matter which party holds your seats.
State and local officals have no control over Ice or federal policy which is what is being protested.
Again, tell that to JB Pritzker.