3 Ways to Make Protesting Matter

More than 3,000 communities in the U.S. are planning a "No Kings" event on March 28. You may wonder if it matters.

If tensions are running high in your town, conflict could erupt, raising the possibility of injury or arrest. But even assuming your personal safety doesn't feel at risk, you may question whether protest leads to meaningful change. After all, government representatives are often deaf to protestors' messages -- even when thousands turn out to lend their voice to the cause.

But lack of an immediate concrete outcome following a protest shouldn't be what holds you back. You have the power to make meaning and forge purpose from protest. Here are three ways to start:

1. At the event, connect with ongoing efforts.   If the protest has a focal gathering point, look for tents or tables from organizations that are doing work day in, day out and find out how to get involved. If you're marching or otherwise on the move, look for groups gathered beneath a banner for an organization you want to support and ask how to get involved. Strike up conversations and make plans for what's next.

2. Learn more about the cause that got you off the couch.

   Go beyond chanted slogans and hot takes on social media to understand the complexities that have created our planet's biggest challenges. Do a deep dive and learn enough to defend your position in a sustained conversation. For example, when taking a stand against fracking or offshore oil drilling, it's helpful to know the history, stretching back more than a century, of U.S. subsidies for fossil fuels as well as other energy sources.

3. Accept the mental health boost and sustain it.

   Spending time with like-minded community members at a protest can lift your spirits, and that has value in and of itself. Afterwards, find ways to keep the positive energy going. Save snapshots from the event and revisit them whenever doomscrolling gets you down. Organize in-person meetups for book discussions, volunteer projects, or nature walks. Take time for self-care and take breaks from the headlines.

In short, consider protesting as an opportunity to create or deepen a lasting commitment -- to yourself, your community, and the planet. That way, a single event can lead to meaningful change over time.