Protests and demonstrations were taking place, some like those in Colombia, as a sign of opposition to the current government
As the week began with Earth Day celebrations calling for a 60% reduction in global plastic production by the year 2040, protests and demonstrations about the right to peaceful protest were taking place in several countries. Some, like those in Colombia, were in opposition to the current government, while others, like those by students at Columbia and Yale Universities, were in support of Palestinians and against the U.S. government’s support for Israel.
Meanwhile, here in Florida, opinion leaders and decision-makers gathered at the Concordia Americas Summit, a forum that promotes dialogue, collaboration, and networking around issues affecting Latin America, the Caribbean, the United States, and Canada.
This year at the event, topics such as growth, sustainability, economy, and strengthening democracy were discussed from different perspectives presented by experts and those who have led successful projects in these areas.
The contrast between these events provides a framework to highlight the importance of going beyond marches, demonstrations, and protests, which, while an effective way to shape opinion, express views, and mobilize around common causes, must lead to real transformations with tangible results and actions.
Joining together to oppose, protest, and demonstrate peacefully against decisions that affect common interests is a right that many still fear.
While marching and demonstrating peacefully is a constitutionally protected form of participation in many countries, it is increasingly being used as an excuse to promote the ideological interests of certain organizations or groups operating outside the law, which ultimately destabilize, divide, and polarize citizens even further.
“I’m not really sure why we’re protesting, but I decided to stand in solidarity with my classmates,” a university student told a local news outlet.
It’s not about dismissing the power of social movements to break paradigms, expose problems, and address needs, but neither is it about protesting and opposing without conviction.
It is much easier to join a group in demonstrating than to individually make decisions with conviction to transform actions that are affecting everyone’s interests.
Many of today’s mobilizations end in violent actions that distort the true purpose of unity and collaboration to transform governance styles.
Changing a country’s governance policies requires more than massive marches.
While history records some nonviolent resistance movements that led to changes in laws and government systems, it also notes others that, despite record attendance, went no further and failed to generate political change.
Although this topic is sensitive for those who advocate civil disobedience as a strategy for change, it is important to learn about the various mechanisms of participation, opposition, and nonviolent resistance.
It is easy to be incited by those who, under the guise of promoting change, organize mobilizations that are not intended to be peaceful.
A true revolution today is not generated by harassing opponents, resorting to violence, or breaking the law.
To draw attention and place issues affecting the global order on the public agenda, it will always be more effective to create spaces for reflection, dialogue, and negotiation that lead governments to make better decisions.
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