Social issues buttons can help promote solidarity among demonstrators.
The Constitution guarantees Americans the right to peaceably assemble and protest. Peaceful demonstrations include sit-ins, marches, vigils and street theater. For a successful march, you'll need to communicate a sympathetic message, turn out an impressive number of people and make sure local news media will cover your event.
Instructions
1. Make sure the cause you are protesting is worth the effort. There is a big difference between fighting for a just cause and simply being a rabble-rouser.
2. Know your limits as well as your rights. Be responsible and do your research. Different communities and cities have different standards as to what is legal when protesting. You may have to obtain a "permit to protest" from your local city hall. If so, be sure to bring it with you on demonstration day.
3. Train those who take part in the demonstration about the nature of nonviolence and the need not to get into verbal or physical confrontations with counter-protesters.
4. Define your message. Like advertising, your message must be succinct and easy to read and understand. Familiar chants are "No Blood For Oil" or "Hell No, We Won't Go!" If it's too complicated, you'll lose your audience.
5. Release a well-written press release. Your message and presentation are just as important as content. It needs to be neatly presented, spell-checked and factual. Release it to the proper media outlets well before the event.
Also, develop a website. This not only legitimizes your cause but provides a source of information long after your physical protest has ended.
6. Launch your protest around a significant date. If it's about a company's policy, launch the protest when there is a shareholders' meeting scheduled. Basically, time your event for maximum impact.
7. Make sure everyone in your protest agrees with the cause as well as the means to accomplish the protest. It only takes a few bad apples to hide in your otherwise peaceful protest and turn it into a riot. You can prevent this "hijacking" if everyone is on board with a peaceful plan.
8. Contact the police. This will increase your legitimacy and help reduce potential misunderstandings. The police will be obliged to protect your right to protest.
