# You going to join in on protesting outside?

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-going-to-join-in-on-protesting-outside/1019442
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [June 11, 2025, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-going-to-join-in-on-protesting-outside/1019442 "2025-06-11T01:48:10Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 7

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### Author: ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)
#### Post date: [June 11, 2025, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-going-to-join-in-on-protesting-outside/1019442/7 "2025-06-11T02:39:10Z")

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Just want to mention, we did a very similar thread just over a month ago, though in P&E:

> [@What do the protesters hope to accomplish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-protesters-hope-to-accomplish/1017770):
>
> Don’t get me wrong, it warms me to so many [throngs of people show up and carry signs.](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/05/01/may-day-protests-trump-musk-billionaires/83362729007/) And I certainly appreciate the sentiment. But what is the goal? We know Trump hates liberals and what they stand for. Trump will not change a thing due to protests. By now things have gone too far (IMHO), and something needs to done to stop this dismantling of our government. I’m happy the protesters are making their displeasure known, but who are they appealing to?

I’ll just cut and paste my response from there:

> As I said on the various threads touching on the 4/9 protests, a big part of it is showing that they are not alone. There is a visceral impact of being part of a physical crowd (not always in a good sense, granted) that evokes a feeling of shared power.
> 
> In Trump 2.0 it’s _very_ easy to feel isolated, alone, and powerless, and just give up. Being part of something bigger can counteract it to a degree. And even in purple, or red areas (like my own Colorado Springs) seeing that the smirking majority can be challenged is worthwhile.
> 
> It also can make local powers hesitate to a degree. Sure, local upset is unlikely to unseat Trump anytime in the near future, but others still have to run for election. They may well be _more_ circumspect if they are worried about losing their own upcoming elections.
> 
> So, small, but possibly cumulative benefits, even if not on a grand stage. But may, by the accumulation of many such, make a difference after all.

Sadly, now and then, I also admitted that I don’t think it’ll be truly effective. We don’t (or don’t yet) have a leader that has the charisma and reach that captures the popular imagination, and far too many people will go along to get along. But if we do end up in a fascist government or Civil War, I want to be able to say I didn’t just sit on my couch and grouch.

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