Disrupt the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade? Good Thing? Bad Thing?

[yuiyoshida]

Talk from the Live stream said they will probably disrupt the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

35 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Time expired
	Good thing?
	15 (43%)
	Bad thing?
	18 (51%)
	I don't Know
	2 (6%)
	I don't Care
	0 (0%)
	Other
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[TerrapinFlyer]

1. A peaceful Sit-In right in the path of the parade. Thousands of protestors.

It will happen.

[yuiyoshida]

2. This will be a first, won't it? If it happens?

It would be amazing to watch.

[yallerdawg]

38. Is it overdue?

[delrem]

3. In one sense, anything that could stop that would be a good thing.

But no, I don't think it'd be a good idea because it'd make Macy's and $$$ and Thanksgiving $$$ and Christmas $$$, etc., into a target, and IMO that'd be a massively stinky red herring.

(eta: I'm not opposed to mass action. It is desperately needed.)

[pstokely]

4. they wouldn't show it on TV

nt

[NanceGreggs]

5. Despite what we ...

... cynical adults may think of the commercial extravaganza called the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the fact remains that children across the country find it wondrous and magical.

It is not only wise to pick one's battles, but to choose the most advantageous battlefield.

THIS is not an appropriate battlefield.

[JDPriestly]

6. Agreed. It would just make those interrupting the parade look like troublemakers.

The goal should be for African-Americans to forge alliances with other groups -- Spanish-speaking immigrants, women, other groups that are denied justice and work within politics to get better prosecutors, better police forces, better judges, better legislators.

Demonstrations make the demonstrators feel good, and they provide opportunities to meet like-minded people. But demonstrations alienate a lot of people who could be allies.

And it is hard to keep demonstrations peaceful.

A march on a weekend that is not Thanksgiving -- say the weekend after Thanksgiving that is silent --- maybe at dusk with each person holding a small flashlight or light in commemoration of Michael Brown and the many people who are attacked by police officers under questionable circumstances would give Michael Brown's cause dignity and cause people to stop and think.

A silent vigil with thousands of people would be more effective than demonstrating amid the noise and gaiety of the Thanksgiving Parade. A silent vigil led by religious and socially conscious leaders perhaps with celebrities in the mix. That would have an effect. It could include leaders of other minority groups who have a tough time with police.

The goal should be to build a stronger movement through alliances with other minority groups.

[yuiyoshida]

9. It would seem by the poll

your opinion is in the minority.. I would love to hear argument for the opposite. Why it would be a good thing to disrupt the Thanksgiving parade.

[JDPriestly]

11. Clearly I am not the person to answer your question.

One argument might be the presence of TV cameras. A demonstration at that time would make the news. But the attention might be, I think it would be, counterproductive.

The problem of police aggression against minorities is too serious to be dealt with by making a scene. It needs serious study, consideration and solutions. It is really an important problem. I would like to think that we could finally do something to improve race relations in a country in which the future will likely see the end of white dominance in our culture. We need to improve race relations for the benefit of everyone, not just African-Americans and minorities. White people need to have better race relations with minorities.

[yuiyoshida]

12. While I agree with your statement:

White people need to have better race relations with minorities, you are dealing with decades of Hatred, including groups like the KKK and the neoNazis. Those groups exist for a purpose, and ALSO one could see with the election of our President how the Republicans despise the President, many based on the fact he is half African American..

The Civil War ended in 1865. Race HATRED is still around in 2014. That is 149 years. You don't erase that kind of hatred in a week, a month or a year.

[JDPriestly]

13. You are right. That is all the more reason that we need to work to end it with much more energy and

effort.

It isn't enough just to complain about it although complaining about it is a first step. We need a lot more work on this at the community level. Ferguson is a good example of a community that needed to work on community policing and make sure the police were sensitive to racial issues. This should have been done a long time ago.

[yuiyoshida]

15. It should have been done with parents

teaching their kids not to hate, but HATRED is passed down from generation to generation. Fix that and within a few more generations, that MIGHT be gone.

[Bragi]

64. Why would it be a good thing? Here's why.

Peaceful demonstration will get you nothing in America, violent demonstrations will get you injured and jailed, so acts of civil disobedience are what's left.

Stopping a Thanksgiving parade would be an act of civil disobedience that harms no-one in any consequential way. It would be a good tactic. So would creating major traffic jams to disrupt Black Friday shopping.

Time to end the bullshit. By allowing injustice to flourish, America has earned a race war.

[cali]

7. think of the children.

no child is going to be hurt by a peaceful protest that disrupts the MTDP.

[KittyWampus]

41. oh, you can guarantee it will remain peaceful? lolz

[NanceGreggs]

67. There are actually situations where ...

... "thinking of the children" should be an obvious consideration.

Do you have any idea how many children are in the crowd that attend the parade? Do you honestly think that any disruption of the parade will end peacefully? All it takes is one epithet yelled, one fist raised in anger, one push, one shove - and your "peaceful protest" gets ugly. And it doesn't matter who started it; we all know how it ends.

What is the point of disrupting an event that is meant for the enjoyment of little kids in the crowd, and those watching at home? What message do you think you'd be sending, and to whom? Do you think that ruining the event would serve any positive purpose - and, of so, what would that purpose be?

"No child is going to be hurt by a peaceful protest." Famous last words. And peaceful or not, there is nothing to be gained by ANY protest in these circumstances, and so much to potentially be lost.

Leave the kids out of it - and leave their cherished events out of it, as well. There are far more advantageous fields on which to do battle.

[Dorian Gray]

22. I agree

If we could guarantee that the protest remain peaceful and not disruptive to families that are there, I actually think it could be a good teaching moment for children. But, because MANY children will be present the idea of this frightens me. I would take part in protests, but I don't think I would take part in this protest.

[ctaylors6]

27. Marching bands and other kids go to NY

from all over the country to participate in it. It's a huge deal for high school bands and other groups who are selected to go. Many of whom spend months raising money to get there.

I think a nondisruptive demonstration is fine, but I agree that it's not the appropriate battlefield.

[Recursion]

8. I'd rather everyone who wants to do this run for a local government position

Spectacular mass action tends to just bring attention to whoever the flakiest person who decides to show up is.

[NBachers]

10. No no no, it's not necessary to wreck a big parade like that.

A lot of people work hard on it; a lot of people are proud to march and represent their groups and spread cheer and good will. People practice their music and their formations all year long; they get all dressed up, and are proud to be part of something so grand. It's the high point of their year to participate.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade didn't murder Michael Brown and it didn't let Darren Wilson get away with it.

This would be a shitty, fucked-up thing to do. It would ruin the occasion for a lot of people who don't deserve it.

Anyone can go out and break things and fuck shit up. It doesn't take a lot of talent.

Leave the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade alone.

[branford]

14. News Headlines:

-Protesters Ruin Magical Parade Beloved By the Nation, Children Everywhere are Saddened

-Violent Minority Protesters Ruin Thanksgiving, What's Next, Burning Santa's Workshop

-Republican Congress Seeks to Increase Criminal Penalties for Disturbances of Cultural Events, Polls Indicate 70% approval, Demand President Obama Take Immediate Executive Action


The NYPD would be dragging the protesters away on national television, and the crowds would be cheering.

The only thing such a stunt would accomplish is increase sales of NYPD hats and t-shirts, and probably help ensure an acquittal if something like the Brown shooting happens in NYC.

Protest battles and locations should be carefully chosen. Anything not connected with the criminal justice system and beloved by children and their parents alike is generally terrible target.

[yuiyoshida]

16. I have heard alot about why it should not be done

I am still waiting to hear from those who are for it. It would seem many people approve of the idea, of shutting down the parade. I would like to hear why that's a good thing.

[branford]

17. Good or bad idea, a poll of just 29 people (as of this post) on a very left leaning

Democratic anonymous discussion board, immediately after an emotional loss, is representative of very little.

[yuiyoshida]

18. Wait...

So, because It does not include Right wingers, or Republicans you think this poll is out of wack? Is that what you are saying? "A very left leaning, Democratic ANONYMOUS discussion board..." ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE????

[branford]

19. I meant everything.

I certainly am not a Republican or care about those people whose politics would never be sympathetic to such peaceful protests. However, there are many loyal, yet more politically moderate, Democrats and others who definitely support reforms in our criminal justice system, and would similarly support peaceful and productive protest events. I believe that trying to stop the Macy's Parade would alienate these individuals whose voices are not really represented here (and the vast majority of liberal Democrats who don't read or post on DU), but are still one of us.

The fact that the poll is very tiny, unscientific, reactive to an event that just occurred, and people can talk big on an anonymous forum with few consequences, speaks for itself.

I simply would not use the results of this thread, good or bad, as substantive evidence for the wisdom of choosing to interrupt the Macy's Parade due to anger and disappointment over Michael Brown and the lack of a prosecution of Darren Wilson.

[yuiyoshida]

20. I am glad you clarified that...

thank you.

[Douglas Carpenter]

21. NO! that would be like shooting Donald Duck and taking Micky Mouse hostage

I don't think it would send the right message. I remember when I was like about 50 years younger than I am now - getting so excited to watch it on TV. Disrupting a fun-family tradition (however commercial it may be) is being the wrong kind of downer at the wrong time on the wrong day. And it certainly doesn't punish the Ferguson, Missouri grand jury or police.

[RandiFan1290]

23. No justice! No peace!

Shut it all down

[yuiyoshida]

24. Please explain why you think

They should shut down the Macy's parade. People up thread explained why they think it should not be. Right now, its 22 against, and 21 for the disruption.

[AsahinaKimi]

25. I have to admit,

I really don't know how I feel about this.. I never get to watch the parade, cause I don't have a TV and I am sure someone was right, saying that the protesters will never catch any National camera time, but it will be on the internet, and few people would see it there, or posted on Youtube.com. It certainly will not teach the "haters" anything, other than to hate more ...

Its a messy thing... very messy

[CBHagman]

26. If you want justice, this is not the way to do it.

As a strategy, it is not designed to win allies or get results.

Put the energy into something else designed to really change the national dialogue. Not only do you have to make people understand why they should be concerned (and it's sad but true that many do not grasp that yet) but you have to choose a time, place, and means that is most likely to keep that focus on the serious issue here, not pick something that is meant to be light and diverting and all for the little kids.

You have to choose your battles and you have to consider what frame of mind people are going to be in.

[Warren Stupidity]

28. There should be more disruption everywhere all the time.

The situation we are in is all fucked up, and for thirty years and counting we have been pretending that it is normal.

Fuck. Shit. Up.

[yuiyoshida]

29. There are many on here now

Who think the Macy's parade is the wrong place to do anything about it, for various reasons. Can you explain why you think it should be disrupted? I guess you are saying you think it should be. I would love to hear reasons why you think they should disrupt the parade, since now, its looking like the NO's are in the majority, thanks.

[Warren Stupidity]

32. 1. it has visibility.

In general protests are invisible. The invisibility of protests is a deliberate and effective strategy that has disempowered popular protest movements since the late 70s. The way to counter invisibility is to bring protests into live events that cannot be disappeared.

2. it has visibility. See (1.)

[yuiyoshida]

35. The thing about it is.. like this,

If The Superbowl were on, and some guy goes streaking across the field naked, the only people who will see it, are those at the game. The Network covering it will refuse to show it. Someone might catch it and post it on Youtube but whether or not it goes viral, depends on how the whole thing goes down. It might be posted on Twitter, or Facebook, and yet.. that is not exactly like the kind of coverage a Network would carry.

I really think if CBS were covering the Macy's parade, and a huge crowd of protesters blocked the street, and Police were called in, it would never make the Network News. Its even doubtful the Newspapers would cover it. Yes, it would be posted on Youtube, Twitter and Facebook, and maybe even DU.. but it not like its going out to the entire nation, from a huge audience watching CBS.

[KingCharlemagne]

48. The livestreamers would make sure it went out to the entire nation and world. Whether the

corporate-whore media chose to follow suit is entirely up to them and their corporate whore sponsors.

[bigwillq]

30. Whatever one does, please make it peaceful.

It does not help anyone's cause to "disrupt" or have violent protests.

[Nye Bevan]

31. That would be monumentally stupid and counterproductive.

What does Macys have to do with Ferguson, anyway?

[yuiyoshida]

33. I believe thought goes that its a national

stage. There will be Network cameras there as well as people posting to youtube. I don't know the entire reasoning behind it, as I am not privy to that information, and the comments were made on live feed, from the tri-borough bridge during last nights protests. They seemed to be serious about disrupting the Macy's parade.

[nc4bo]

34. "They" don't hear us.

Or "they" choose to ignore us.

Absolutely nothing wrong with peaceful protesting in public.

We have a race problem in the United States despite the election of a black President. Far too many have lost their shit because of it and have revealed the ugly American underbelly.

We have a prison system overflowing with blacks who when they are released.....can not vote even after they have served their time.

We have a police violence problem in the United States.

They are problems that remain and continue to fester as our politicians use it to their advantage and media ignores it.

Many are sick and tired of it, have done everything in their power to change it, to no avail.

We are running out of options.

What else is left?

[dembotoz]

36. shut down the bridges again and screw with the trains

looked impressive last night...

[brooklynite]

39. Yeah! Screw up the lives of ordinary people, including minorities trying to get to work.

That'll rally people to your side.

[dembotoz]

42. if the goal is to shut it down access bottlenecks safer

than risking a panic in streets filled with families with children

[Renew Deal]

37. Bad. There are a lot of little kids around that day.

It may create an unsafe situation for kids.

[jillan]

40. NO! This is a big deal for the kids. Disrupt the football games but not this.

[hrmjustin]

43. Horrible idea!

[yuiyoshida]

44. And yet it may happen.

There may be no coverage of it, but there are those who are planning it already. Stay tuned, I guess.

[hrmjustin]

45. It will not go over well here if there is a disruption.

[yuiyoshida]

46. The posting results so far agree with you

That may not deter those planning it, however.

[hrmjustin]

49. Well we are going to have very bad weather here so that might effect the parade anyway.

We shall see.

[HuckleB]

47. Who is "they?" (And let's note that it's not possible.)

Quite frankly, it's not possible. There are cops lined up every five feet or so, along the route as a regular part of the parade. More cops are in the surrounding blocks to stop traffic, and restart it after the parade.

You also have hundreds of thousands of people, many who came from far away to see the parade. (On edit: We made the trip across country last year, and our young one had a fabulous time. I don't think it makes sense to take that away from kids and families. It seems counterproductive.) No matter what the cause, such an action is unlikely to be helpful to the cause.

Not only that, people are packed in like sardines -- once you have your spot, you physically cannot leave until the parade is over. Such an action could be dangerous. It is certainly irresponsible. I don't think anyone who is "planning" such an action has been to the parade.

[yuiyoshida]

50. Who is "They"

During the broadcast from the tri-borough bridge protests, last night, several so-called leaders of the protests, that lead people on to the bridge talked about coming back tonight to once again, block the bridges. Someone said, "Hey, what about the Thanksgiving Macy's Parade?" .. The first person said "Wow, Yeah that's a great idea, SHUT SHIT DOWN!" ..

No names were given, but they were interviewed on that broadcast.

[HuckleB]

51. Sounds like something said in a state of fight or flight.

The planning to do such a thing would take months, and it would have to occur in secrecy, and even then it would probably not work.

[yuiyoshida]

52. And yet, both bridges going into

New York City, were BLOCKED for over an hour. And Yet in Oakland California Freeway Traffic was blocked by thousands of protesters. Don't say it can't be done... The Titanic was Unsinkable wasn't it? ...

[dembotoz]

55. in milwaukee we had a civil rights activist named mike mcgee

it seems his threats were pretty ignored til he talked about rolling
burning tires onto the interstate that ran thru the hood during rush hour....
i always sorta liked commander Mcgee
thought he had important things to say....

[HuckleB]

57. Blocking a bridge is not that difficult, really.

It only takes a few people. Blocking a parade that is lined with cops and hundreds of thousands of people who want to see the parade? Yeah, that's a whole different ballgame.

[yuiyoshida]

59. I don't think so

IF you have a lot of people sitting in the street, blocking a parade, the parade will be disrupted.. yes the COPS will come in, and Yes people will be arrested, but the timing, the entire thing will throw everything out of kilter. The TV Network has commercials to run, the parade is delayed, maybe by as much as a half hour, depending on how many protesters are put into place. If a sufficient amount of protesters sit in the street and refuse to move....its gonna take time to remove them, without using tear gas or rubber bullets. (And if they do, bystanders from the parade will be affected.)

[HuckleB]

60. How are they going to get into the street?

The street is lined with cops, and the surrounding streets are, too. You aren't going to get a significant amount of anything other than confetti into the street in the first place.

[yuiyoshida]

61. Thats silly... first of all

You have PEOPLE ON Both sides of the streets watching the parade. HOW DID THEY GET THERE? People cross the streets all the time before and after a parade. During The Parade in San Francisco, for the Winning SF Giants, people Lined the streets, and there were no cops standing about blocking entrance to the street. IF YOU ARE anticipating trouble then their might be an over abundance of cops, but its unlikely the City will be. SO no, there will not be a huge police presence their unless they are anticipating trouble. The routes of the parade are clearly marked, and any large group could set themselves up to blockade a certain part of the route. In doing so, yes it will alert the police to take action, and in doing so, will delay the parade.

[HuckleB]

62. Individuals cross the street.

It seems like you really want this to happen.

It's not going to happen.

[yuiyoshida]

63. WOW...REALLY??

I WANT THIS TO HAPPEN? YOU STATE that its impossible and I explain to you whats possible, and NOW YOU ACCUSE ME OF WANTING THIS TO HAPPEN? YOU KNOW WHAT... I don't want to comment further to your ugly statements any more.. GO PLAY in traffic, Okay? I AM DONE WITH YOU.

[Dorian Gray]

54. I think you

made some good points here. I really think disrupting the parade will backfire.

[Xyzse]

53. I would think it is a dumb thing.

I do however, would suggest a silent moving vigil holding battery operated candles like so:




Lasts longer than an actual candle, not disrupted by the wind, would prevent any burns, and can be quite peaceful.

I think a large area, that is silent in a loud crowd can be a powerful thing.

[L0oniX]

56. Wallmart Thanksgiving Parade...

[dilby]

58. I am very mixed on this.

One part of me wants the American people wake up and see that we are allowing the Police to kill our children in the streets. The other part knows this will just give fodder for the hate groups on why they need to keep killing our children, because they ruined one fucking parade that happens every year and will continue to happen every year.

[99Forever]

65. A "bad" but necessary "thing."

Civil disobedience is inevitable.

[JEB]

66. Fuck Macys and that waste called a parade.