Democracy demands a bit of dissent. If not now, when?
Fellow Gen X’ers, whether you were on the frontlines of protests in your youth or watching from the sidelines, today’s reality demands our attention. The protest rights that defined Britain’s democratic character are being systematically dismantled, and it’s happening on our watch.
If you are in the mysterious Gen Y group, or a Millennial, you might also be looking for ways to make change, but I would argue that you would be justified in wondering where Gen X has been, as the world seemed to disintegrate under our watch.
EVEN IF YOU’VE NEVER MARCHED BEFORE, YOUR VOICE MATTERS NOW
Let’s be honest: not all of us spent our twenties on picket lines or at rallies. Many watched from a distance, focused on building careers, raising families, or simply getting by. Perhaps you felt the causes weren’t yours, the methods too radical, or the risks too great.
That’s okay. The past is the past. But today’s situation calls for everyone, especially those who’ve never protested before.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act has transformed Britain’s protest landscape, criminalising actions as simple as being “too noisy” or causing “annoyance.” This isn’t tweaking public order; it’s the deliberate criminalisation of democratic dissent itself.
FIRST-TIME PROTESTERS WELCOME (AND DESPERATELY NEEDED)
Maybe you’ve never attended a demonstration, carried a placard, or chanted in unison with strangers, so the prospect might be intimidating. But consider this: your very presence, especially as a “respectable” middle-aged professional, strengthens the cause. No one needs to know if you are not a)respectable or b) professional, it’s a numbers game!
When authorities try to dismiss protesters as “extremists” or “the usual suspects,” your presence contradicts that story. When Gen X (and Gen Y and Millennials) show up, it gets harder to control the old narratives that encourage us to ignore youthful activism, implying that it is a phase, and not the serious and necessary actions of citizens.
You don’t need to present your protest credentials to anyone. This moment needs first-timers just as much as veterans to pitch in.
STARTING SMALL: BABY STEPS TO ACTIVISM
Not ready to chain yourself to railings? No problem. Activism has many entry points:
- Attend a local meeting about issues that concern you: housing, climate, civil liberties
- Bring friends to your first demonstration; safety and courage in numbers
- Offer practical support to younger activists, from legal observation to providing food. Listen and get stuck in if you are joining an existing group. Don’t impose your ideas until you are sure that you are adding something tangible.
- Use your professional skills pro bono for campaign groups
- Have conversations in your workplace and community about democracy and protest rights
- Engage family and friends, particularly those you feel might be weighed down with worry about the future. We may not be able to make significant changes quickly, but action is healthier than doomscrolling.
Remember: your presence itself is powerful. When authorities see diverse crowds spanning generations, it becomes harder to dismiss, divide, and criminalise.
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash
What are we fighting for?
Even the most optimistic observer of life in UK is aware that things could surely get better. This site is focused on the right to protest about anything, and the fear that this hard-won fundamental freedom is slipping through our fingers. Even if I do not agree with your views, I defend your right to peaceful protest.
Priorities vary among our diverse population, but one of the key principles of a thriving society is communication and collaboration among ordinary people. This is not possible when bad actors, whether it is a biased media or compromised politicians, exploit their power to divide and (literally) rule.
You might have a vague idea that there’s a whole lot to sort right now, and you are absolutely correct. If you want to start to contribute to change, you might want to narrow it down a bit! Our Pick a Fight page has some great ideas. Please think about what is important to you, and then figure out a way to get involved.
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable.
John F Kennedy