Yet again: we need a clear message

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To Do Next for the #NeverAgain Movement: Settle on a Clear Demand
Social Justice and Activism
by Ted Rall | April 5, 2018 - 5:22am
Adapted by Daffyd ap Morgen

  1. A huge turnout will not lead to new gun legislation.
  2. Victory is achievable when rallies sharpen their focus.
  3. Movements need enthusiasm and careful strategizing to sustain and grow.
  4. Congress and the president ignore one-off events of large groups of Americans carrying signs, and chanting slogans. 
  5. Sustained movements must be organized around a message.
  6. Social media can bring large groups of people together quickly. 
    1. But they also need a simple, coherent, bumper-sticker-ready demand message.
  7. The 10 printed demands for the March on Washington remind us of American society’s failure to address the needs of the poor and oppressed since 1963. 
    1. They had a clear, coherent set of demands, beginning with: “Comprehensive and effective Civil Rights legislation from the present Congress — without compromise or filibuster — to guarantee all Americans: 
    2. Access to all public accommodations, decent housing, adequate and integrated education, the right to vote.” 
    3. The Civil Rights Act was passed.
  8. The March 24th March for Our Lives did not articulate a precise demand or set of demands.
    1. Mission statement: “School safety is not a political issue. 
    2. [We] demand that a comprehensive and effective bill be immediately brought before Congress to address these gun issues.”
    3. Congress won't effectively “address” this issue. 
  9. A movement must have an area of clear focus, 
    1. #NeverAgain has that part down pat.
  10. An effective movement must have the solution to a problem. 
  11. Having a clear solution entails risk. 
    1. #NeverAgain advocating for a comprehensive gun ban will push away allies who prefer a compromise approach. 
    2. Yet a moderate approach will generate less excitement among those in favor of a radical solution (and moderation generally elicits less enthusiasm). 
    3. It’s better to go into battle with half an army than a whole one riddled with confusion and no idea why they’re fighting.

Ted Rall, the editorial cartoonist and columnist, is the author of “Francis: The People’s Pope.”

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