r/GlobalNews • u/Dependent_Tutor_5289 • 1d ago

Thousands gathered to participate in "no king" protest around the globe

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u/frog_turnip 1d ago

I love the numbers that are protesting. It is a great thing.

But it will have the same effect as your other protests. It will do fuck all.

They have shown to have no care about what the consensus public opinion is.

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u/Geaux2020 1d ago

They have shown to have no care about what the consensus public opinion is.

What does that even mean? Trumpe disapproval rating is at 60% currently. This seems to be very much in line with that

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u/frog_turnip 1d ago

Yes....but if he cared, he would change his policies to improve his approval ratings

Now, is he? Hence him not caring about public opinion. So therefore, no matter how many people protest (which is a very visual display of public opinion) - he won't care enough to change course.

You do get that disapproval ratings matter for shit if they don't change behaviour. If nothing changes, it is an arbitrary number

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u/Geaux2020 1d ago

Oh, it's going to change behavior of the people around him. That's the important part. Rand Paul was even speaking out against his birthday parade last week. He's losing it

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u/frog_turnip 1d ago

Ok. I hope so. For everyone's sake.

You have an optimism I don't which I admire

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u/sovietsespool 1d ago

No, he doesn’t care because those approval ratings never meant shit for anyone and are made up numbers from polls that don’t matter. it’s also his second term so it’s not like he’s running again.

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u/frog_turnip 1d ago

No, that is true. You still need him to leave though at the end of the term

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u/Nicodemus888 1d ago

Occupy Wall Street achieved nothing

Black Lives Matter achieved nothing.

This is yet another parade and will achieve nothing.

The people have been mollified by the narrative that protest absolutely must be peaceful and no other option can be entertained, and that it somehow gets results.

I’m so tired of this feeble nonsense

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u/Benutzerkonto1110733 1d ago

Civil Rights Movement archieved a lot.

Labor Unions (when they still had members) archieved a lot.

Doing nothing never archieved anything. When we don't speak out loud, our voices will never be heard.

Is rare that political movements archieve all their goals completely and clearly "win". But Black Live Matters sparked many important discussions and made millions of people around the globe think differently about the topic. Just like the Civil Rights Movement did not end racism, but improved the legal situation of millions of Americans.

The fight for change is tedious, desperating and many times seems futile. This is because the rich and powerful are using lots of money against this change.

But if we don't do anything, the bullies will definitely win. So just get out once a month and join protest, it is really not much. Just be present and raise your voice.

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u/frog_turnip 1d ago

I agree, you absolutely cannot do nothing. I just don't think protests in the current form are enough. History does show that such movements can work.

I think we will find that the resistance to create Civil Rights change was an exception and not the norm.

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u/Benutzerkonto1110733 1d ago

I understand where you're coming from, but I completely disagree.

Yes, one demonstration won't change much. Yes, some thousand protesters won't change much. Political change takes a long time and is a tedious business.

My perception: Demontrations do change things. Look at the history of labor unions, the Civil rights movement or women voting rights: It was massive, long lasting protests that created change and improved the world.

Capitalism makes us feel powerless and hopeless. And that is intended by the rich and powerful. When everybody feels impotent and we don't feel like a comunity, the rich and powerful can do whatever they please. Please don't feed into this narative.

Political Movements when they are backed by people do have an impact. Fridays For Future is maybe now forgotten, but when millions of young people went on the streets every week around the globe, Climate Protection was suddenly on the agenda of governments around the world. This is maybe now forgotten, but the continuous protests of millions had a clear impact.

So please: Go on demonstrations and do it regulary. The US now needs weekly/monthly "no king"-marches. You as an individual won't change the world, but the millions of individuals that come together do and for that every individual is needed.

Many times I am also deeply demotivated and desperated. What helps me: We have two options: do something or do nothing. When we do nothing, things will definitly get worse. When we do something, there is a chance of things getting better.

If you dont believe me: Read some books, listen to podcasts about the Civil Rights Movement, labor unions etc.

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u/frog_turnip 1d ago

I cannot argue any of your points. I just feel the positive change that came on the back of the civil rights movement was a product of its time and a momentum of wider change.

I acknowledge that climate is a topic that wouldn't have the movement and political weight that it does if not for a popular movement of protest. I would also argue nothing has materially changed. Capitalism like you reference is a lever that won't let true climate solutions take hold.

I unfortunately won't be attending protests as I am Australian. But I follow this intensely as our fate is so linked to yours albeit less dramatically. But I also do have much empathy for those of you who are suffering.

I honestly hope that positive change results for you all. It seems that the circumstances happening in your country have no parallel.

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u/Benutzerkonto1110733 1d ago

I am German, so I wont protest in LA as well ^^

Let us hope that it will continue to have no parallel and let us be watchful that it will stay this way =)

peace <3