Protests continue over the Zimmerman trial verdict. While many, me included, may not agree with the act of protesting, they can’t argue with the fact that protests
often work (http://clicktotweet.com/VpCoN). No one can deny the impact that the protests, called Arab Spring, had on Arab governments. Protests can result in a change of government or a change in the laws. They also raise public awareness.
I lived through the Civil Rights movement and protests against the Vietnam War. I was in the Army, so I did not participate. I think that those protests influenced the government to act. Nixon ended the war and Kennedy got involved in battling discrimination. I do believe that the riots over the Rodney King verdict in LA had an influence in changing the LAPD. Even if these protests over these events did not change the laws, public opinion changed.
People may not agree with the protest over the Zimmerman trial, but they certainly know that many folks feel that Martin’s murderer did not receive justice. I think many people have formed opinions about the case. These protests can’t change the verdict. It is what it is. However, laws, such as Stand Your Ground laws, can change. It takes time.
Protests are part of the democratic process. In the USA, they predate the American Revolution and include such things as the Boston Tea Party. Through protests, the people let their government know how they feel about an issue. However, democratic protests should be peaceful. Breaking the law in protest over another law makes no sense.
Social networks make the forming and sensing of public opinion and organizing demonstrations easier. The Arab Spring is a good example of the use of social networks to organize demonstrations. Politicians are beginning to pay more attention to social networks to find out how voters feel about issues. We have reached a point in America where people don’t just talk about the news,
the news talks about what people are texting. Let’s hope that the texts and social networks are honest and do not attempt to influence public opinion. Yeah, right!
often work (http://clicktotweet.com/VpCoN). No one can deny the impact that the protests, called Arab Spring, had on Arab governments. Protests can result in a change of government or a change in the laws. They also raise public awareness.
I lived through the Civil Rights movement and protests against the Vietnam War. I was in the Army, so I did not participate. I think that those protests influenced the government to act. Nixon ended the war and Kennedy got involved in battling discrimination. I do believe that the riots over the Rodney King verdict in LA had an influence in changing the LAPD. Even if these protests over these events did not change the laws, public opinion changed.
People may not agree with the protest over the Zimmerman trial, but they certainly know that many folks feel that Martin’s murderer did not receive justice. I think many people have formed opinions about the case. These protests can’t change the verdict. It is what it is. However, laws, such as Stand Your Ground laws, can change. It takes time.
Protests are part of the democratic process. In the USA, they predate the American Revolution and include such things as the Boston Tea Party. Through protests, the people let their government know how they feel about an issue. However, democratic protests should be peaceful. Breaking the law in protest over another law makes no sense.
Social networks make the forming and sensing of public opinion and organizing demonstrations easier. The Arab Spring is a good example of the use of social networks to organize demonstrations. Politicians are beginning to pay more attention to social networks to find out how voters feel about issues. We have reached a point in America where people don’t just talk about the news,
the news talks about what people are texting. Let’s hope that the texts and social networks are honest and do not attempt to influence public opinion. Yeah, right!
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