The Influence of Protests

In 2020, the year which consisted of various unjust occurrences, over 26 million people in America participated in the Black Lives Matter movement, making it the most substantial and impactful protest in all of history. Why did these 26 million people engage in this significant protest for over two years? Although protesting can be used to reinforce institutional violence by provoking riots and instigating unjust actions or plans, protesting can also effectively resist violence by peacefully advocating against biased legislation and attaining supportive communities to cooperatively and relentlessly urge for change.

Protesting can be used to reinforce institutional power and violence by inducing riots and initiating immoral plans. An article featured by the New York Times illustrated and untangled the January sixth Capitol riot that was established by thousands of uncontrolled Trump supporters, leading to complete turmoil and felonious behavior. This created a one-sided community that was not willing to compromise, fostering disturbances and severe damage to the Capitol. According to the article, the Trump supporters “broke a window, [and] the crowd began to flood into the building…Police seized five guns and arrested at least 13 people, while dozens of others were allowed to go free…A man carrying a large Confederate flag stood outside the Senate chamber,” (Buchanan, et. al). This riot was very vigilantly arranged by Trump supporters to harm others and to implement racist agendas, such as carrying Confederate flags throughout the Capitol. Many joined this protest for the sole purpose to increase institutional violence, as they knew that even with this riot, they would be unable to re-elect Trump. The crowd of supporters carried guns and broke windows to enter the Capitol to reinforce their institutional power over the police and government. They proceeded to storm into different rooms to overcrowd the area, not allowing police to take measures to protect others. This caused an increase in institutional violence, as they were trespassing property while being armed with threatening weapons and disobeyed the orders of the police after proceeding with this forbidden act. Although the police were able to arrest many Trump supporters, others were let free to intensify the brutality, therefore having an increase in power over the police. This riot in the Capitol left a detrimental mark on history and triggered a bad stigma around American politics as a whole, due to the image of Americans being rebellious and immature. Although protesting is a good form of voicing one’s opinion, this method of violent protesting is overly dangerous and only leads to dreadful consequences.

However, protesting can also effectively resist violence by civilly urging against biased policies to attain global awareness. The article “Before the A.D.A., There Was Section 504” developed by Julia Carmel provided evidence of the limitations with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which claimed to allow inclusivity and financed transportation for those with disabilities. On the other hand, millions did not have this support which led to the drafting of Section 504, aiming to improve the inadequate sections of the Rehabilitation Act. According to the article, there were “Sit-ins began across the country” while the government was “cutting the building’s phone lines and water supply…[Protesters] want the law enforced. [They] will accept no more discussion of segregation” (Carmel). Peacefully protesting allowed protesters to voice their opinions while maintaining civil but influential behavior. Prior to the drafting of Regulation 504, millions of disabled individuals did not attain the necessary support they desired, urging Nixon to take action into signing the Rehabilitation Act. Nixon did not put in the effort, leading protesters to stroll around various cities, promoting the passing of the newly proposed Regulation 504 to help those with disabilities get accommodations when needed. While peaceful sit-ins were occurring, the government, which had institutional power, cut off the water supply as well as phone lines to terminate the protest. This targeted disabled people especially, as they were being disregarded by the government and were not able to voice their opinions. This method of peaceful protesting challenged institutional power and violence from the government, as protesters were merely acting justly with no intentions of harming authority. Despite this situation, protesters stayed diligent and were committed to getting this law implemented while forming inspiring signs to utilize at the protest. Additionally, the calm behavior of the protesters caused authorities such as the American government to seem unruly worldwide, testing their methods of handling situations. This mannerly yet continuous technique of protesting allowed authorities to surrender and make progress towards justice for disabled individuals. This process permitted protesters to steadily but influentially approach a better-operating society for those who are disabled with no dangers included.

Protesting can also effectively resist violence by attaining supportive communities to cooperatively urge for change with persistent advocating. The text “STONEWALL 50” created by Howson exhibited the history behind the 1970 Stonewall 50 protest, where Lgbtq+ community members gathered jointly to promote Lgbtq+ rights. Due to discriminatory police raids in hotels, many were striving for change and were not hesitant to begin a powerful fight. The Stonewall 50 left a lasting impact on the Lgbtq+ community and helped achieve increased universal support. In the text, Lgbtq+ members “rose up and refused/To be beaten, ostracised or abused…/Those brave, big-hearted people/…Demand[ed] justice, equality and fairness…/Teach, that Love is a human right,” (Howson). The persistent and responsive approach of protesters in Stonewall 50 allowed for an exceptional influence on history, as Lgbtq+ members were ceaselessly oppressed by the government and police who had excessive power over them. These activists refused to be mistreated by authority due to their sexuality and they pressed for morality. This strategy of purposeful protesting limited institutional power, as these countless communities subdued the power of the police, enabling their voice to be heard. Moreover, Lgbtq+ members would not stop the fight until they achieved their objective of reducing brutality relating to the government, verifying that civil protesting is most impactful. Historically, the Lgbtq+ community has been one of the most supportive and collaborative groups due to their unity. The growth of support with various members throughout the country allowed authorities to gain an understanding of the situation and limit their force over the people to achieve a superior society.

Protesting can be used to reinforce institutional violence by fostering uproars and organizing biased plans, yet it is most effective when used as a way to calmly object against policies and secure encouraging communities to demand for change. Protesting is active in the modern world by strategies such as creating posters, launching marches, and upholding speeches. This is very crucial in improving society and working towards achieving equality, as voicing one’s opinion presents topics that must be addressed by higher authorities. This type of resistance is oftentimes used to improve policies, as most protests urge for neutral and legitimate rulings which has been seen in movements such as Black Lives Matter.