non-protest
There are thousands of people across the world in prison, being tortured, or dead because they stood up for their beliefs. In some of these countries, the people have been shat on for thousands of years without change.

The rest keep quiet, raise families and enjoy what little freedom they have. They grumble, but they are alive.

Tough choice.

I choose doormat.
(Brand name, Fri 12 Nov 2010, 17:14, 1 reply)

We live in England.
Beauty is, we don't have to. So be walked all over if you like. Your choice, and you've made it. Can't say I agree with it mind.
( jim_bob can herd cats., Fri 12 Nov 2010, 17:16, closed)

^^ this
THere's no excuse for being a doormat in this country. However, name me one peaceful protest that has succeeded in changing government policy.
( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Fri 12 Nov 2010, 18:04, closed)

Or one violent one, for that matter.

( BrokenCoccyx doesn't mind if you grope on, Fri 12 Nov 2010, 18:10, closed)

Does this mean I get to start a war?
Woo!

Who's with me?

(Not sure about what yet, but that's a minor detail.)
( Claws of Doom I am no longer infected, Fri 12 Nov 2010, 18:15, closed)

easy
voting en-masse for the opposition party in an election.

This kind of peaceful action (and this year, no less) has resulted in some changes to government policy.

And no, I don't care whether you agree with the changes or not - changes have occurred.
(haberman is singing in the changes, Fri 12 Nov 2010, 18:24, closed)

If you voted for the encumbent party
are they the changes you voted for?

To me, democracy is giving the lesser of three evils carte blanche to do what they want for 5 years.
( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Fri 12 Nov 2010, 19:05, closed)

logic fail
So everyone cant get what they want at the same time, eh? That does not mean that peaceful change of some kind has not occurred.
(haberman is singing in the changes, Fri 12 Nov 2010, 19:14, closed)

I heard Mahatma Ghandi didn't beat too many people up
nor Martin Luther King Jr, at that.
(StapMyVitals wouldn't mind a bit of that, Fri 12 Nov 2010, 20:33, closed)

not personally, no

( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Sat 13 Nov 2010, 12:52, closed)

Most of the Chartist's demands have been met
only took 170 odd years to sort out.
( wotofco pissing in your swimming pool, Fri 12 Nov 2010, 21:42, closed)

Oh, and I seem to recall a few people on the streets in Eastern Europe during 1989
might have had some effect.
( wotofco pissing in your swimming pool, Sat 13 Nov 2010, 16:06, closed)

Hmm, I seem to remember
when the HGV drivers started slowing the roads down a few years ago, the price of petrol went down fairly quickly.

People going on marches - achieves nothing. Did that myself four times against the Iraq war.

Non-violent disruption processes such as 1000 people - 100 a day for ten days - slowing down traffic on the major motorways. That would change things.

But of course, one risks arrest for such actions. Which no-body will do. Fact is, we are all cowards, which is why we get repressed. People should not be afraid of governments; governments should be afraid of people.
(TheImmortalJenkins, Fri 12 Nov 2010, 23:41, closed)

From what I've seen it often works better if there's a good figurehead
As has already been mentioned; Martin Luther King, Mahatma Ghandi, even Joanna Lumley on behalf of the Ghurkas.

A crowd of people can push their way to the doors of parliament, but only a few will fit through the door.

(btw I have more platitudes in my fridge if anyone wants them)
( Extinct Jesus Dossier "...I think it counteracts Hitler's magic...", Sat 13 Nov 2010, 1:49, closed)