Why is it that right-aligned protests never block traffic, smash windows, start fires, throw bricks, or ban photos? Why is it that when these things happen at left-aligned protests, there is so much organization and funding? And denial?
Why is it that right-aligned protests never block traffic, smash windows, start fires, throw bricks, or ban photos? Why is it that when these things happen at left-aligned protests, there is so much organization and funding? And denial?
Was gonna mention that. COVID broke the brains of enough conservatives that it became a "state of exception" to the general tactic of right wing protest. There were always the militia types who showed up in tacticool gear, but they mostly just stood around posing. Then the Michigan capitol demonstrations happened, and after that J6.
As a person who's committed to engaging in radical activism through kindness and relationality- it's because this style of protest isn't for optics, it's for sabotage. The "demonstration" is to disrupt the flow of capitalism because the goal is to topple capitalism, not reform it. It's from the mindset of fighting a giant- tiny blows but a lot of them. Think tree-sits to stop logging. Rarely works, but is a piece of sabotage that, although is disruptive, is disruptive to radically inhumane, extractive, and violent acts themselves. They see the violence that capitalism has normalized, and they often genuinely think that doing wildly violent things might help with the revolutionary process. And they're not entirely wrong, but it's so disorganized and so deeply conflicted with itself as a group body due to there being such a strong commitment to individualistic martyr-heavy, retaliation-based activism. This style of activism shoots itself in the foot because none of these people know to act lol. No manners, often so little social skills, and an atrophied sense of collectivity that is often in response to a pervasive abuse coming from systemic abuses, but instead of taking responsibility for their wounds and doing what's necessary to walk normal again (this can take years), they want to feel the catharsis of revenge.
Conservatives just rarely do grassroots protests (makes sense as itтАЩs more individualistic so less likely to go for as big of political gatherings). The closest to anything else would be Trump rallies but those arenтАЩt quite as big and come with more natural structure and organization from up top.
Why is it that right-aligned protests never block traffic, smash windows, start fires, throw bricks, or ban photos? Why is it that when these things happen at left-aligned protests, there is so much organization and funding? And denial?
Well, there's been one mass grass roots conservative protest in my lifetime and it was Jan 6
Michigan State House COVID protests
Was gonna mention that. COVID broke the brains of enough conservatives that it became a "state of exception" to the general tactic of right wing protest. There were always the militia types who showed up in tacticool gear, but they mostly just stood around posing. Then the Michigan capitol demonstrations happened, and after that J6.
You're right I totally forgot about those
As a person who's committed to engaging in radical activism through kindness and relationality- it's because this style of protest isn't for optics, it's for sabotage. The "demonstration" is to disrupt the flow of capitalism because the goal is to topple capitalism, not reform it. It's from the mindset of fighting a giant- tiny blows but a lot of them. Think tree-sits to stop logging. Rarely works, but is a piece of sabotage that, although is disruptive, is disruptive to radically inhumane, extractive, and violent acts themselves. They see the violence that capitalism has normalized, and they often genuinely think that doing wildly violent things might help with the revolutionary process. And they're not entirely wrong, but it's so disorganized and so deeply conflicted with itself as a group body due to there being such a strong commitment to individualistic martyr-heavy, retaliation-based activism. This style of activism shoots itself in the foot because none of these people know to act lol. No manners, often so little social skills, and an atrophied sense of collectivity that is often in response to a pervasive abuse coming from systemic abuses, but instead of taking responsibility for their wounds and doing what's necessary to walk normal again (this can take years), they want to feel the catharsis of revenge.
Conservatives just rarely do grassroots protests (makes sense as itтАЩs more individualistic so less likely to go for as big of political gatherings). The closest to anything else would be Trump rallies but those arenтАЩt quite as big and come with more natural structure and organization from up top.