What kind of impact do protests have over the outcome of an election?
The impact of protests on elections depends on a variety of factors. In a free society, a protest may succeed not only in bringing hidden facts to light but in convincing a majority of citizens to change the way they vote. In a repressive society, government crackdowns on opposition to the status quo may result in utter suppression of protests before they have the slightest opportunity to influence public opinion. Protests’ effects also vary based on the importance, relevance, and believability of the facts they seek to publicize.
Why is it important to protest elections?
Free societies treasure the ability to stand up to authority and power without fear of reprisal. These rights underlie citizens’ confidence in their opportunities to stage demonstrations, picket government buildings, and assemble peacefully to oppose their government. When demonstrations swell to a level that authorities cannot halt, even repressive societies can change because of the pressure applied by the visible manifestation of public opinion and opposition.
Are most election protests safe to attend?
The nature of the word “protest” includes an aspect of unpredictability. Most election protests in free societies offer little threat of any negative consequences. In the event that a police presence oversteps the bounds of its legal authority to order a demonstration to disperse, however, or some form of violence breaks out, every individual demonstrator must make a personal decision about whether to remain or leave the scene if possible. In repressive societies, demonstrators may enjoy no protections whatsoever against aggressive authority, and may anticipate official reprisals as a matter of course.
Is it likely I will go to jail if I protest an election?
If you attend an election protest for which organizers failed to obtain some form of permit document that legitimizes the assemblage in a location that requires this form of authorization, you could face arrest for trespassing. Acts of violence carry equivalent risks of arrest for charges that may constitute more serious offenses than the simple act of assembling without a permit or blocking a public thoroughfare. Some of the classic tactics employed by demonstrations include sit ins that can involve the act of chaining oneself to a fence or other element of a public place. These types of acts of civil disobedience can carry the risk of arrest and prosecution.