David, thanks for the first-hand impression. You confirm my own impression, based on national/local news after making due allowance for artful camera angles, selective focus, etc. What is happening in LA can't really be described as a well-organized protest. It seems more ad hoc, spontaneous, and to use your word 'pluralistic'. The provocateurs seem to occupy offices in the WH and RWM which is making every effort to precipitate a 'cause of action' — just as it will be doing this coming Saturday.
Also distressing is a the absence of members of congress — particularly those who are veterans — speaking out in the face of what would seem to be clearly unconstitutional actions by the executive branch. But is that on them or on media executives/producers?
So true. Protests, as well as the responses to them, are totally multifaceted. That’s why we have to focus on the various narratives competing to define the situation and draw lessons from it.
Most of this is very insightful, but I take issue with some of you concluding summary. Specifically, you state:
"Maintaining law and order while allowing legitimate expression..." The problem is that any good protest is designed specifically NOT to maintain either law or order. Think about the famous protests in Birmingham, which set the stage for King's famous Letter from Birmingham Jail. Those protests were designed to sow disorder, and included intentionally violating the law. King's letter specifically criticizes those who insist that protesters not do these things, and he was absolutely right.
Actions like blocking traffic are clearly illegal and are designed to foster a degree of chaos, but are designed to ensure that the general public feels some of the pain felt every day by immigrants targeted by ICE (and Trump). Disorder and violating the law (a/k/a civil disobedience) are hallmarks of a successful protest. They are not things that should be condemned. To insist that protests are "legitimate" only if they maintain law and order is to insist that protests be ineffective.
David, thanks for the first-hand impression. You confirm my own impression, based on national/local news after making due allowance for artful camera angles, selective focus, etc. What is happening in LA can't really be described as a well-organized protest. It seems more ad hoc, spontaneous, and to use your word 'pluralistic'. The provocateurs seem to occupy offices in the WH and RWM which is making every effort to precipitate a 'cause of action' — just as it will be doing this coming Saturday.
Also distressing is a the absence of members of congress — particularly those who are veterans — speaking out in the face of what would seem to be clearly unconstitutional actions by the executive branch. But is that on them or on media executives/producers?
So true. Protests, as well as the responses to them, are totally multifaceted. That’s why we have to focus on the various narratives competing to define the situation and draw lessons from it.
Most of this is very insightful, but I take issue with some of you concluding summary. Specifically, you state:
"Maintaining law and order while allowing legitimate expression..." The problem is that any good protest is designed specifically NOT to maintain either law or order. Think about the famous protests in Birmingham, which set the stage for King's famous Letter from Birmingham Jail. Those protests were designed to sow disorder, and included intentionally violating the law. King's letter specifically criticizes those who insist that protesters not do these things, and he was absolutely right.
Actions like blocking traffic are clearly illegal and are designed to foster a degree of chaos, but are designed to ensure that the general public feels some of the pain felt every day by immigrants targeted by ICE (and Trump). Disorder and violating the law (a/k/a civil disobedience) are hallmarks of a successful protest. They are not things that should be condemned. To insist that protests are "legitimate" only if they maintain law and order is to insist that protests be ineffective.