Given that someone got domestic terrorism charges for saying “Deny, Defend, Depose”, do you think it would be a bad idea for me to carry a sign at a peaceful protest that says “Deny Musk, Defund Doge, Depose Trump”?
For context, this protest is in a moderately upscale suburb of DC with a particularly liberal (not leftist, liberal) population base. The protest has been happening every Saturday for several weeks now, and usually pulls around 200-300 people. There is usually a police presence, but they have not gotten confrontational in the past. They’ve only warned people to not block entrance to the dealership, but have otherwise left us alone.
You left out some important context, that she followed that up with “you people are next.”
That’s what pushes it over into a threat I believe. Just using the other words would normally be fine and protected speech.
Yeah, instead OP should fill a gas can with Gatorade and casually sip from the can while at the protest. If anyone asks, say you brought it to show your support for combustion engines. There’s no way that can be interpreted as a threat, right?
Protesting a dealership when no one wants to buy one is performative.
Where protests should be happening is factories because even if Musk has to shut down one day, that is expensive, and it’s expensive to start it back up again.
So what’s really effective is protesting factories and not letting workers in.
For a day or two.
Then leaving till it’s started back up for a couple days, and just repeating that. Make them open and close production constantly. Make Tesla workers tires of the bullshit, better yet make Musk fire them so they get severance and unemployment.
So:
Look at the risk/reward of what you want to do/say at a dealership. Nothing you put on a sign is going to change anyone’s minds.
To quote a saying that’s been around for way to long:
You can beat the charges, but you can’t beat the ride
Meaning it doesn’t matter if what you’re doing is illegal, cops can still beat you, take you to jail, and just drop charges 10 minutes before you get to see a judge.
Edit:
moderately upscale suburb of DC with a particularly liberal (not leftist, liberal) population base. The protest has been happening every Saturday for several weeks now, and usually pulls around 200-300 people
Why the fuck is 200-300 people next to DC not fucking protesting politicians?
I assumed you were in some random city, you all are literally right next to DC and instead of taking advantage of that you’re wasting your time with this?
Go fucking protest the actual government in DC, lots of Americans would love to switch locations with you so they could have the opportunity you’re wasting.
Especially since DC is probably the last place that needs people to be discouraged from buying a Tesla right now.
I do protest in DC. Often. I was at one last weekend. I am unable to go into the city this weekend. I have about 2 free hours while my kids will be in a class, so I’m trying to use that time to participate where I can.
I don’t need a lecture. I know what I’m doing and when and where I’m able to participate. I am solely looking for advice on whether this one sign might lead to problems or not.
You’re doing all the stuff you suggested too, right?
If I lived within driving distance of DC or a Tesla factory I would be…
Thought that was clear:
lots of Americans would love to switch locations with you so they could have the opportunity you’re wasting.
So, given that you don’t live near DC, what are you doing?
Spending a shitload of time on here bitching that other people aren’t resisting the way they want apparently.
Maybe use your own D words to align with the vibe, but distance yourself enough to have some plausible deniability?
Disdain, Deplore,
defenestrateDisputeThere are probably much better D words, but those are off the top of my head.
Dodge, Dip, Duck! (Dive&Dodge)
Nah that’s a cool sign tho. Just follow the basic protesting tips and you’ll be fine.
Enjoy Ecuador!
Wish I was joking… But the first amendment no longer matters, judges orders no longer matter. Your right to a fair trial no longer exists. Your right to peaceful assembly no longer exists.
Take that as you will, but the federal government is no longer following the rules it’s supposed to govern under. And your local police force will happily walk hand in hard with the fascists to violate your rights.
If you’re not a US citizen - in fact, if you’re not a natural-born US citizen - seriously consider whether you want to go at all. There’s a significantly higher chance they’ll stick you on a plane somewhere and ignore much or all of the bureaucracy that was intended to prevent systemic abuses like this in the past.
Yes, that would be a bad idea. It shouldn’t be a bad idea. But right now, it would be.
Then again, you are probably in for Domestic Terrorism charges for simply protesting against the Car of the People. It’s up to you whether you want to dial it all up to 11.
Honestly go to the protest yes, but I would not risk it. Its very on the nose and you dont know how the acabs will react.
Wym, the acab crowd would love it
They are saying the bastard cops will not like it
yeah I meant this
As an ACAB myself, I think we’ll appreciate the sign very much.
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No, we need people. All kinds of people. As many people as we can possibly get. Absolutely NOBODY who is considering attending a protest should be told to stay home.
I attend protests all the time. Ever since my early 20s (which was over 15 years ago) I’ve made it a point to attend at least 1 protest every month. For the past 8 years that’s been closer to weekly than monthly. I have plenty of experience at protests. My question here is solely about the phrasing for my sign.
If you’re
afraidresponsible for the well-being of other people and can’t afford toofbeingarrested,stay homedo what you’re doing and weigh the risks, seek advice and knowledge to safely make your voice heard. We needthe braveall types,not cowardsimpassioned people with less to lose may choose to protest through higher risk activities, but not everyone needs to go that route at this point.
Wrong community mate. This isn’t a place for politics. This is a place for honest questions.
This is an honest question.
Really? Why would it be a bad idea to bring a sign to a protest? Can’t think of any reason.
Did you read the post?
Then you just answered your question yourself…
Brings me back to my previous comment as to why you ask this question. Seems like you’re just here to make a statement rather than post a genuine question.
