The American system of government grants citizens the right to protest for change.
The right to protest is a fundamental part of our American society. Literally enshrined into our very constitution, civil protest is a potent means of advocating for chance. If you want to voice your disagreement with issues, you have many means to do so at your disposal. Organization and research will help make sure your thoughts are heard in the halls of power.
Instructions
1. Define the issues you are protesting. Be as specific as possible. A topic, such as the need for more funding for arts education for high school students, is better than a more general subject, such as the need for more education funding.
2. Research the problem. An effective protest relies on arguments based on facts. Before you begin any protest, you should gather as much information as you can. Read books on the topic. Look up Web sites devoted to the issue. Carefully consider all sides of the issues in question. You should understand the argument that you are making and the details of the argument the opposing side asserts. You should be able to fully counter all assertions about your stance.
3. Investigate who is in charge of the issues. Some people and organizations can directly affect how an issue is governed. For example, a coal mining company may have enormous input on the way strip mining is regulated. A senator who is on a specific committee, such as the finance committee, has more say about fiscal regulations governing mortgages than a freshman senator in his/her term in office.
4. Map out a plan for protesting. The plan should include the change you hope to see, who to contact and increase awareness of the issues. Ask for volunteers who can set up a Web site or Web page that outlines you and your organization's views. Include contact names for people to donate to your cause and get in touch with you.
5. Prepare your arguments. When protesting, you should have supporting documentation to back up your assertions. When protesting in the streets at an informal rally, create fliers that outline your stance on the issues. The flier should be easy to read, ideally no more than a page in length and geared toward those unfamiliar with the issues at hand. Underline and embold important points that you think the passerby should note. Prepare a more detailed article for direct release to reporters and other members of the press. The article should contain quotes from sources, present the facts and provide the reporter with contact information for additional sources.
