Theories on no mass demonstrations yet?

[cilla4progress]

I believe once, and only once, the American people mobilize - like we did against the Vietnam Nam war and for civil rights - will we see the systemic change we are seeking, namely getting rid of this foul lawless administration.

Why hasn't it happened yet? Will it happen? What will it take?

[unblock]

1. mass shooters will be attracted to such crowds.

we need to find distributed/local ways to fight back.

boycotts, strikes, online protests, etc.

[matt819]

3. I don't think that's the reason

Sure, there have been some very nasty mass shootings since 2017. But there have been mass shootings for decades.

I don't think that's the reason. Just a gut feel.

I think there's a sense that even a mass demonstration or a nationwide strike will make no difference. It won't budge the Dems in Congress. It won't make Republicans see the light.

If that sounds hopeless, well, maybe I am. But there is also a sense of utter exhaustion. After all, nothing has budged anyone since Jan 2017. Not the women's march. Not the Mueller report. Not the multiple resignations from the WH. Not mass shootings. Not the assault on women's reproductive rights. Not police murders of people of color. Nothing. I'm stumped.

[hurple]

2. I want to demonstrate

But I might miss the next episode of American Idol

(That was sarcasm, BTW)

[Lulu KC]

4. Good question--I see SOS on Twitter

saying that they are organizing something next weekend, but haven't delved below the surface to find out who they are.

My impression is that the evil geniuses behind what we are experiencing have created so many crises going on at once that we're too distracted trying to keep up to get organized. Plus, there is a theme of nomenclature debate during our debate season, and "they" are loving it.

It all feels like a collective ADD episode. Where is the medicine? We're trying to keep ourselves sane while our country is actually occupied by enemies who didn't ride in on tanks like they do in the movies.

[CrispyQ]

5. The first women's march in 2017 was the biggest march ever in the US.

It's been smaller every year. And we haven't even had a march for the kids in cages.

I'm not sure marches work. Maybe in conjunction with other resistance action, but marches alone don't happen often enough & the media always under-reports turnout.

I would rather see a campaign encouraging people to call our Members of Congress every week. It only takes 15 minutes to call your two senators & your rep.

> 5 minutes to investigate what they are voting on, if anything.

> 5 minutes to write up a brief message. If you get vmail, you don't get much time so keep it short. If they aren't voting on anything, leave a generic message about an issue that's important to you.

> 5 minutes to make your calls. Put your MOCs in your contacts. Leave your name & zip code, too.

Done.

If we filled up Congress' vmail/email they might take We the People more seriously. They might think we're actually paying attention & care. The last time we over-flowed their mailboxes was the financial crisis of 2008. Are we there yet?


Senate directory

House directory

[Bonx]

6. I live in a rural area and the roads are too dangerous for demonstrations

I've tried, but don't feel safe. Also there isn't much traffic to see the demonstration.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

7. I think people will if Impeachment flops and no

Articles are recommended. Twitter way ahead on this. Read hundreds of replies to house judiciary committee last night. Almost every single one was near patience breaking point.

[cbdo2007]

8. Overall, things for most people are still pretty good.

Sure there is a lot of shit going on but it is outside of the daily realities of most of the public, so we just wait it out and hope for the best.

[unblock]

10. that does have a lot to do with it. if there were a recession going on, things would be different.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

11. There are protests almost everywhere Trump appears; and they will increase

[Nitram]

12. I went to DC and marched for science.

[maxsolomon]

13. There is no urgent crisis. We're numb to Trump's corruption.

Frog, boiling water, etc.

What type of protests would you propose? What would force action in DC?