What Are Protests Actually For?

I used to think protests were quite useless. And part of me still isn’t entirely convinced otherwise.

As a method of changing minds or instigating policy change, protests are largely ineffective. No one’s mind is changed by looking at a brilliantly designed sign or reading a witty slogan. And it’s unlikely that politicians will suddenly get their act together just because people took to the streets.

And yet—about two weeks ago, I stood alongside more than a thousand people in Redlands for the No Kings rally, going out in the heat of the day to make our voices heard. So what is the purpose of protests anyway? The answer is not as simple as many might think.

Part of me has always loved protests for what they do to my spirit. There is something powerful about standing next to people of goodwill, people even more committed to justice than I am, people who want to create a better world. I imagine it’s the same for many of you.

But there are also deeper reasons why protests matter. I’ve been reading Sarah Stein Lubrano’s book, Don’t Talk About Politics. I can’t recommend it enough. Lubrano is honest about the limits of contemporary protest. It comes and goes quickly, often without much lasting political impact. There’s a real risk that we let our political energy dissipate, or worse, convince ourselves that showing up a few times is enough to resist injustice.

But the real function of protests is more subtle. The biggest impact protests have is often on the protesters themselves. People who aren’t normally politically active become more active after joining a protest movement. At protests, we meet people. We recognize neighbors. And if we take the time to nurture those relationships, we open doors to more meaningful collective action—local working groups, church-based immigrant justice, rapid response networks, mutual aid, and other initiatives. In short, protests can plug you in with people who are doing things far more sustained and impactful than the protest itself.

But that only happens if we exercise our agency. We have to cultivate relationships, reach out to local activists, and maybe even organize something ourselves—whether that’s a neighborhood meeting or putting together care packages for families in need.

What follows a protest is often more meaningful than the protest itself. So if you’ve been to one recently, don’t let those opportunities slip by. You don’t have to do something dramatic. Even something small can be a giant step toward making a real difference in someone else’s life. And at the very least, you’ll feel less alone—and more hopeful—because of it.