Have you participated in a protest march?

Question

If so, what was your impression? How did you find the behavior of other participants, the police, bystanders? Did you learn anything from your participation?

Answer 1

This is a long autobiographical thing which is kinda funny and very appropriate. I was involved in one of the most massive environmental protests to ever take place in New Hampshire.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seabrook_Station_nuclear_power_plant

The link explains a little about a pro environmental protest group called the Clamshell Alliance, but says nothing about a protest demonstration involving Clamshell Alliance members from 20 states, and the collected State Police Forces of NH, Maine, Mass, CT, RI, VT and NY, plus National Guard units from all over New England

I was at that protest, all 4 days of it. The CA tried everything they could to get onto Public Service of NH property and never did accomplish it. The whole purpose of the demonstration was to occupy the Seabrook site and plant flowers and paint lovey dovey things on the walls (its was the 70s, just turning 80s) .

The ones who cut fences got maced or hosed off, sometimes the protesters got tear gas canisters dropped into the crowds from NG helicopters.

Yes, I was at that protest, on the Nuke Plant's side.

I cut sections of chainlink fence to repair what fences the protesters cut, I delivered THOUSANDS of National Guard sandwiches to troops and cops on the fences, I got to run the fire hose a bit, (lowered pressure, couldnt hurt anyone, but a little spray right behind the knee was enough to put a protester down), we coordinated reports between cops and NG, we worked our tails off, but by the end of that Labor Day weekend the protesters hadn't gotten onto PSNH's property. Cost em a pretty penny. I was Union as were all the guys with me, time and a half after 8 hours, doubletime after 16 triple time on holidays. And that was just ME. We worked hard, but that was one awesome paycheck.
At the time I was in AFLCIO Union 976, a labor union contracted to do general labor at the then-in-the-middle-of-construction Seabrook Station nuclear power plant. I worked at Seabrook from July 1979 to March 1983. The protest HAD to have happened sometime within those 4 plus years, but I see no mention of it anywhere online, only the protest in 1977 when 2,000 protesters DID get onto the site. I was a sophomore in HS in 1977 so that couldnt have been the protest I worked.

Having said all THAT, I have to say our side seemed very organized, we all pretty much despised the hypocrites who protested the nuke plant being built on a salt marsh (when they and thousands of others camped in those same salt marshes during the protests, destroying an area about as big as our construction parking lot. That lot was huge; At one point, PSNH had over 12,000 people on site all working different trades).

I know THAT as well because myself and a battalion of other laborers were out there in those marshes getting bit to death by greenheads and mosquitos cleaning up their trash, spoiled food, old stained clothes and ripped up tents (and what must have been 8 trillion condoms- lol)

Answer 2

I have participated in a few protest marches. All the marchers were well behaved, concerned citizens exercising their Constitutionally guaranteed right to peacefully assemble. At no time were there any incidents. Police photographed demonstrators at some points, an intrusion of Big Government upon Constitutionally guaranteed freedom. I learned that the government could not care less what its citizens think. I learned that the press lies for the government, in vastly under reporting the number of protestors.

Answer 3

anti-Iraq war marches in London. I was surprised by what a cross-section of society was there and in particular by how many middle-aged, middle-class people. The marches have all been very good-natured and sociable, and the police seemed quite relaxed too.
What I learned: well, I knew this anyway, but I learned not to expect the media to mention the protests, except maybe in a small paragraph. And that the police estimates of the numbers involved are much lower than one would guess from being there. During one march I fancied a drink so I stopped at a pub on the route and I sat and watched the marchers go by and it took TWO HOURS for them to go by there were so many. This simply isn't reflected in the press.

Answer 4

In Canada. I protested against the Child Protection Services when I learned how many children were and are being abused in foster care. Also, in Canada the Child Protection Services are pushing anti psychotic pills on kids.

Only a couple hundred made it and it was never publicized. When it comes to politics they can gag the media if they don't support your cause.

Oh yeah, in Canada, the child protection services have an unlimited bank account and no answers are required on spending.

Answer 5

Yes I actually have in front of City Hall and it was way to loud and i think we made to big of a deal about 19 cents (it was a womens rights thing) i'm not a woman but it was kinda lame that they get paid less for more work. by the way Bert T i liked your responce to al gore's nomination for the nobel peace prize hope you will look at my responce to that one (that was just for Bert T others can just look at mine and his responses the question was called "What do you think about Al Gor being nominated for the nobel peace prize for his movie?")

Answer 6

Yes when I was in college. It was dumb and I was one of the dumbest. The others were dumb. The police did their job well. The bystanders weren't an issue. I learned to mind my own business.

Answer 7

No but my coworker did. He went to a KKK rally to protest the KKK, and got so mad at the protesters and their horrible behovior that he almost thought about joining the KKK!

(Relax--he was joking).

Answer 8

Yes, anti-abortion. Right to Life in Washington DC. Abortion is murder!!!

Answer 9

Yes, everyone acted peacefully, yes i learned the Us. doesn't give a **** about others

Answer 10

No I had not protested in a protest march.