What's important to remember in mass organizing?

[struggle4progress]

Suppose (just for the sake of discussion, of course) that people got really tired of some bad situation or abuse -- for example, stolen elections, government spying, political corruption, attacks on habeas corpus or the right to a trial, unnecessary wars intended to profit corporations with friends in high office, federal indifference to major natural disasters, or high gas prices, if such thing were ever to occur.

Perhaps it might cross someone's mind that thousands of people taking to the streets would be fun and relaxing.

But just HOW does one get thousands of people into the streets?

[napi21]

1. You have to find an issue that enrages a LOT of people!

That's why you saw so many in the illegal immigrant protests. It involved the lives of a LOT of people!!!!

There are other issues that COULD get a similar response...some I don't want to even think about.

Shrub decides to nuke Iran based on his OWN authority.

Out of control gas prices coupled with stations running out of gas. (This did happen i several States. There's a post on D tonight about it. PA, VA, and Del. I think.


I'm sure there are some other issues that could do it, but it takes something that affects a lot of people very personally!

[struggle4progress]

2. Or a collection of related issues that together enrage a lot of people

[napi21]

3. Of course. The key is rage and personally affected by a lot of

people.

I think that's why we haven't seen people taking to the streets already. There are sooo many different issues, and all of them affect everyone, but not personally! At least they don't recognize it yet.

I was freaking out about the line in the new Patriot act that authorized a "Uniformed division of the Secret Service" to set security zones at THEIR discression, at campaign rallies, and any other place THEY determined necessary! I go maybe 10 responses HERE ON DU! Wait until the first Pub rally a group of protesters are banished to an area 10 blocks away, and see what happens.

People have to feel a threat to themselves before they really respond.

[struggle4progress]

6. Moving people on ONE issue frequently moves them on others.

Gas prices being what they are, & heading up up up, a lot of people might be responsive to the Gas-Oil-Petroleum party angle, which offers an opportunity to talk about W & Rice & Dick & Iraq=oil & Dick=Halliburton & "WTF are we doing?" &c &c.

I guessing there's a LOT of rage out there & a lot of people do feel personally affected.

But Americans have largely lost the art of political action. Partly this is because the media are in the hands of advertisers, who are not terribly interested in telling people how to address their real problems: it's potentially more profitable to convince folk that they'll feel better after drinking a cola and buying a chicken fillet sandwich ...

[lvx35]

4. The tao of peace is honesty.

Organize around an honest clearly stated goal, including non-violence. (so the guy who wants to blow up whatever is by DEFINITION not a member) Be open about it to everybody, direct love at all, including people you think are spying on you (they are often the most important to convert) judge each member by their actions and whether they are in with the stated goal. (Whether somebody is an idiot or an agitator is irrelevant at the end of the day) Seize the moral high ground, and have LOTS of cameras around at the protest.

[struggle4progress]

5. Bringing cameras is a very good idea

[struggle4progress]

7. "Have a clearly stated goal" is good advice, too

[Toucano]

8. I'm not sure I understand the choices, but the most important thing

to MOTIVATE people to take to the streets is to convince them that IT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

People today think it's useless. They have to be reminded of the lengthy history of successful, meaningful demonstrations that produced so much of what they now take for granted. Television makes people feel like they're participants, without being participants. We have to overcome that.

The most important things for a successful demonstration, after the people are inspired:

1. Qualified, energetic leadership. People who are committed to the cause of change and have a true WAR PLAN.

2. A clearly stated, realistic goal. The withdrawal of troops from Iraq isn't likely to happen as the result of a single demonstration. Neither is Bush's resignation. However, a goal such as "Congress must hold hearings into warrentless wiretapping" can be accomplished. Or better yet, DEMAND TROOPS HAVE PROPER ARMOR. The opposition can give into that without feeling like they've really given anything. But they'd be giving us a VICTORY that would further motivate the supporters for the next grievence. This could build and build until we can finally accomplish more.

3. We cannot comply COMPLETELY with the terms of set by the government. We MUST produce SOME inconvenience and be prepared to suffer some negative consequences. This means we don't demonstrate on Saturday in the free speech zone with a parade permit. It's not a parade, it's a DEMONSTRATION. We don't have to destroy property or physically threaten or harm anyone, but we do have to be inconvenient enough that they're forced to DEAL WITH US.

[Asgaya Dihi]

9. An issue

An issue that might have some hope is the drug war, it could connect a lot of disassociated groups. There's no doubt that our current methods just finance terrorism and organized crime so if handled right we could get interest there, then there's the fact that we're now the most imprisoned nation in the world and it's racially imbalanced. Lots of single mothers caused by that prison growth with associated poverty and problems, and to cap it all off death rates have actually climbed through it so far rather than fallen.

What we seem to have accomplished is to reward our enemies and to punish ourselves, looks like an issue to me if people could just be brought together on it rather than being dozens of separate interests.

[UncleSepp]

10. Do not fear leadership.

The key to mass organizing is the organizing part. Without leadership, organization is difficult, and what you get is a small and chaotic mob that will be self-limiting in size. Mass movements need to appeal to the masses, not frighten them away. Have a leader. Have a message. Stay on the message. Delegate responsibility and authority, accept counsel from the greater group, but have a leader.

[Robbie Michaels]

11. Immigration

That's easy. Just do any of the following and I guarantee you will piss off a Latino:

1. Portray them as felons and traitors in the mainstream media when they choose to be here for a better way of life
   
2. Portray them as Reconquistadors and Communists in the blogosphere when only a small fraction of them are part of the Aztlan movement
   
3. Show endless file footage of Mexicans scaling a fence and ignore the fact that there are other ports of entry where criminals and illegal contraband enter the United States illegally
   
4. Assume none of these people will assimilate into American society or amount to anything
   
5. Bitch and moan for them to go back where they came from on your blog or message board
   
6. Complain that they get a free ride from the government when many of them pay taxes
   
7. Blame them for taking your dead-end job when it's your own damn fault for not staying in school or doing anything to make yourself more marketable to potential employers.
   
8. Refer to all protesters as The Army of Illegal Aliens on your hate group web site
   

Don't believe me? Ask a GOP candidate on the first Wednesday morning in November. :dem: