:: Running from the Thought Police ::

:: Friday, May 07, 2004 ::

For All You Whiny Conservatives

...Who think that protesting doesn't work, here are some recent examples that it has.

Demian Kogan, PRC member, said they have been more active because of the lack of actions from the Board of Trustees on the Chief issue.

"Because they don't listen to our voices, we are forced to escalate our tactics," Kogan, senior in LAS, said.

Such escalation has allowed PRC to make progress.

"Victories of sit-ins have pushed the issue forward — we have received international media attention and meetings with key political leaders," Kogan said.

Kogan stressed the importance of group activism and explained why PRC protests.

"It makes people listen and forces accountability (on decision makers' parts)," Kogan said.

For other groups, like the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO), it has paid off to protest.

Matthew McClain, grievance officer for GEO, said they have had one protest this year, whereas a year and a half ago they held many more.

"All we had to have administration hear our concerns were rallies and protests," McClain said. "But now that we're officially recognized as a union, legally, the University must negotiate a contract."

For those that, amazingly, haven't noticed, protests (including civil disobedience) force those in power to deal with a problem they otherwise condone or would rather not deal with. If no one in power knows about an issue, does it matter at all? Didn't think so. Protesting makes things matter - that's the point.

:: The Squire 2:29 AM :: email this post :: ::
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