Are Public Protests Worth It?

Public protests are one of the most disruptive forms of activism. By rallying large masses of individuals under the same banner, public protests have an unparalleled ability to incite change, fostering international awareness and support for movements through the unparalleled visibility they provide activists. However, public protests certainly come with its drawbacks.

After the record-breaking flash floods in Valencia caused hundreds of deaths, thousands of protestors have called for accountability from the authorities for the poor handling of one of Europe’s deadliest natural disasters in decades. While the protestors’ grief is justified, the protest itself has blocked highways and government offices, disrupting daily commutes for approximately 2.5 million people and costing 100 million euros in economic losses.

While protests have historically driven awareness and policy discussion, their role in activism must continue to be analysed and evaluated. While its benefits are certainly undeniable, its severe disruption to society must not be ignored either.

Such protests can uniquely empower marginalised communities, providing them with a platform to demand justice and reparations. Additionally, it provides global attention to localised issues, especially as media outlets begin to cover the stories of these activists. As a result, this prompts the authorities to accelerate policy action, ensuring that governmental institutions can be kept accountable by the people.

However, public protests are also notorious for being disruptive to public order. Protests, especially large-scale ones, can easily escalate into violent confrontations with law enforcement personnel or other groups of protestors. This violence detracts from the original message of the campaign and leads to unnecessary harm on both sides. Additionally, protests also result in immense economic disruption, especially with trade, transport, and local businesses all being affected by the public protests taking place. Consequently, this can erode public support fo the movement, especially when citizens are forced to bear the brunt of the economic consequences.

Understanding the trade-off that activists make when deciding to stage a public protest is crucial. By weighing potential disruptions against the urgency of the demands, this helps to minimise the societal detriments that will arise from the public protest. As a result, this would help activists concentrate their efforts on bringing about meaningful change in a responsible manner.