Does Activism Work?
Fishers Resists is deeply involved in public activism. We host weekly rallies in public places and on busy roadsides to make our voices heard. We participate in rallies large and small around the Indianapolis area to show our support for what similar organizations are doing.
Why do we do this? What’s the point? Does it do any good? Does it make a difference? These are questions many people ask about our activism. Let’s look at the reasons why we believe that nonviolent resistance and public activism are critical right now.
The most important aspect of local activism is that it forms a community of people that share the same goals. It gives us moral support. We recognize that we are not alone, that we are not the only ones who are affronted by what is happening. We form in-person relationships with others that can sustain us through difficult times. Activism gives us something positive to do, and gives us hope. This is particularly important when one of the primary tactics of the authoritarians is to separate us, to make us feel fearful and alone, to sow division, mistrust and hatred. They want us to be weak, silent, and out of their way.
Our community fosters education, communication, and solidarity. We form a network of trusted people that can keep each other informed. This is important when there is state control of media channels, rampant propaganda and disinformation, and state violence and crackdowns on opposition. People are already finding it difficult to determine what is happening in our country, given the falsehoods and misdirection from our leaders and the oligarch-controlled media outlets that parrot and validate their propaganda.
Public activism gives courage to others who are concerned, but fearful and uncertain what to do. They see us and think: I should do that too. It encourages those on the fence to make their voices heard.
At a political level, activism sends a message to our elected representatives that people are concerned about what’s going on. It gives politicians support to act morally and oppose unjust actions by the government. Even politicians that disagree personally with some position will support it if enough of their constituents demand it. We are beginning to see some Republicans in Congress voting against MAGA plans because of public outrage. Calling their offices may seem trivial, but when hundreds or thousands of people do it with the same message, it moves votes.
Mass rallies send a message to the dictator class, as well. They see the protests. They hear the message. No matter what they say about it in public, they feel the heat. It can change their behavior and calculations. Over time, this is a powerful constraint on their plans.
Researchers in democracy and authoritarianism have shown that nonviolent resistance is the only viable path against dictatorial regimes (see links below.) It is the only way to accomplish a change of government without massive military action. Local activism, over time, builds the groundswell of support that is required to ultimately defeat the regime. It is the grass roots engagement of millions of citizens that leads to change. Our votes and our voices, united for nonviolent change, will eventually overcome oppression. Sovereignty ultimately belongs to the people.
The King Center (link below) is a good resource to understand nonviolent civil action more deeply. Growing out of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, the King Center has expanded on Dr. King’s vision of justice and peace and the methods to achieve it.
In Fishers Resists, we know that our activism is making a difference. We know that politicians and others in our community are hearing our voices. We see the successes. We are growing as more people make the choice to speak up. Many of us never thought we would be activists, but the times have demanded it of us. If things get worse here in Indianapolis, we will have friends to help us work for justice.
Notes
https://thekingcenter.org/
