There is a general belief that standing on a street corner holding a sign makes little difference. Some truth lives in this statement. Demonstrations rarely impact policy and change. Even several collective, large demonstrations rarely make an impact. But these simple acts of protest serve two important purposes.
I really enjoy holding signs, even if I am the only one. I have been known to be the lone demonstrator against a tea party. Everyone has the right to express their opinions, and when there is a tea party expressing their opinion, I want to also express mine. Even when there are a thousand of them and just the one of me. I felt that something had to be said, and I said it. I say it about health care reform, the war in Iraq, women’s rights, LGBT rights, Sonya Sotomayor, and many other issues over the years. It really is quite cathartic to hold a sign where anyone can see it. Some support my message, others do not, and they let me know in mostly civilized ways. Though I am still trying to figure out why holding a sign reminding people Obama was democratically elected by a clear majority makes me treasonist.
In addition to being called treasonist, I’ve had people try to convert me to Christianity (while holding a sign supporting public option at a tea party), somewhat randomly calling me fat (again, public option), terrorist (quite common while opposing war), and preached to about how evil abortion is. A couple of years ago at an anti-Iraq War march, we acquired a spontaneous counter-demonstrator who was so enraged when we marched by a grocery store that he went home and made a sign. But I’ve also been thanked, had random people join a demonstration, been given gifts of water and other items, and touching stories.
While in Nebraska, a couple friends and I were walking to find food. As we walked by a restaurant, a man jumped out of a truck not yet parked and made a beeline for us. He saw our “Trust Women” shirts and bright pink pro-choice stickers. Since anti-choice zealots often use pro-choice language to illicit angry responses, we kept walking. But he was quite insistent, jumping in front of us and walking backwards to tell his story.
He was thanking us for showing up and defending the clinic. A few years ago, a friend of his found herself pregnant. She thought she couldn’t have a baby and was quite excited. But she had a gallbladder problem. She risked her life if she continued the pregnancy. He implored her to let him escort her to the clinic to keep her safe from protesters, but she was already going with an even bigger male friend. In addition to the verbal assaults, she was spat on. He was incredibly happy people had come in to defend the clinic and Dr. Carhart. He told us if abortion were made illegal, women would bleed to death in basements and garages.
And that’s the second purpose served. It builds community, and not just among the demonstrators. It lets people know they’re not alone in their opinions and beliefs. There’s generally a great energy felt among demonstrators standing together with similar signs. And that energy is always made better by a car honk or a wave. You’re rarely lonely on a street corner with a sign.
So next time someone wants you to go out and hold a sign for a cause you believe in, take a few minutes and join them. It means something to so many people.
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