Protests involve issues that draw passion, such as capital punishment.
Community and political groups of all kinds use marches, rallies, vigils and peaceful protest demonstrations to focus attention on causes they feel passionately about. Such events also allow like-minded people to take collective action to gain a sense of personal empowerment. Effective protests, however, require much planning, thought and organization. A protest that is sparsely attended and disorganized could backfire and draw ridicule.
Instructions
1. Choose a protest location and date. Organize your peaceful protest so that it takes place somewhere relevant to the message you are trying to share. Make sure it is easily accessible and that it's a legal place for people to gather.
2. Contact local, state or federal government officials, depending on the location of the planned protest, to determine what permits you need to file and any fees you must pay. You want to make sure the demonstration will be done by the book.
3. Make protest signs. Find some posterboard and permanent markers or paint and convey your message on a protest sign. Make sure the words are legible from a distance to gain maximum attention.
4. Create T-shirts that display your message in support of your cause. Such clothing can help unite all of the protesters, as well as raise a little extra cash for your cause if you decide to sell the T-shirts at the protest site.
5. Set ground rules to keep your peaceful protest peaceful. To keep a protest peaceful, there should be an understanding among all protesters that violence and belligerence are not to be tolerated. Keep the confrontation and swearing at a minimum by making sure that everyone at your protest understands that it is a civil, peaceful demonstration. Hold workshops for your group's members and do some role playing to show them what they can expect from onlookers and counter-protesters.
6. Market and spread the word of your peaceful protest. Using online networking, local media, email and Web pages, spread the word about your peaceful protest. Contacting well-developed groups that share the same base idea as your protest will ensure a better turnout at the protest.
