Is protest in America at a turning point?

[Derechos]

Tea Party aside, activism slowed almost to a halt after Democrats took the House and Senate and Obama was elected. Now antiwar, anti-corporate, anti-big bank protests have started up in Washington and on Wall Street, and they are spreading elsewhere. Two main questions: Will they grow to be a serious force in America, and how long will the mainstream media give them the silent treatment?

Last spring, two midwestern academics unveiled a comprehensive study that impressively documented a serious answer to the question: Where are all the activists who, in the early years of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, turned out in the streets in the tens and even hundreds of thousands to protest? The question takes on added significance in light of what may be a major anti-war, anti-corporate protest and “occupation” scheduled to begin October 6 in Washington, D.C., on the 10th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.

The academics’ answer: In great numbers, many Democratic activists retreated to the sidelines with the election of Barack Obama, whom they perceived at the time as being an antiwar candidate who would not continue the military policies of President George W. Bush.

Now, all that may be changing. In the last month, street activism by progressives has shown a dramatic resurgence (a development that, as usual, has not yet been fully grasped by the mainstream press) – kicked off with two weeks of sit-ins outside the White House that produced 1,252 arrests of opponents of the 1,700-mile Alberta-to-Texas-Gulf of Mexico, environment-threatening Keystone XL tar sands oil pipeline. That was followed by the ongoing demonstrations and anti-corporate “occupation” by hundreds of mainly young people of a park near Wall Street, in a protest of big bankers’ greed and grim job prospects, that began somewhat haphazardly on September 17.


http://www.niemanwatchdog.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=background.view&backgroundid=00580

[gateley]

1. I was thinking about this last night. So many times we've posted

"time to take to the streets!" -- and now, wow, we really are. And it's spreading!

I always thought the majority of people wouldn't be interested, and maybe the majority aren't, but it's sure a whopping minority!

[Birdiesmom]

4. The key, of course, is to keep at it

As has often been said, many of us are disheartened by the fact that we came out in huge numbers to protest under the Bush administration and it got us nowhere. Hence, perhaps, the smaller turnouts. But the key is obviously to keep turning out despite the nastiness of the police and the disregard from the US press. A crowd that will not go away has to be recognized, if not by the US press, then by international press and the Internet. And there will have to be some effect on the fall elections, which is the only way to get Washington's attention, sometimes.

[Loge23]

2. It appears to be taking root.

The "Silent Majority" are us.
The unions are joining in, which is huge. The decline of the union membership has matched the rise in income inequity. All workers should be joining in. The objectives of this movement, derided as vague and unfocused in the media, are becoming crystal clear.
I don't know where all of this is going but, barring an infiltration by the 1%'ers and their sympathizers, this could really change popular opinion and motivate this majority into demanding meaningful change.
This movement should have some significant bearing on Election 2012, what that effect will be remains to be seen.

[Javaman]

3. "turning points" can only be determined by history.

while I believe what we are currently seeing is a lot of involvement, it will be a while before it's determined to be a turning point.

we have a lot more to do and a lot more things to see before it can be labeled as such.

[Fire Walk With Me]

5. Oh, it's aleady Serious. K&R!

[AnneD]

6. Of course it is...

the pendulum has been swinging to the right for far too long now.

[kctim]

7. Nope

The turning point will be when the majority of the people, left and right, are standing shoulder to shoulder and protesting together.