What do G-20 protests accomplish?
Josh from called me on the telephone to ask me what it meant that the G-20 was taking over economic decision-making from the G-8. It's good news for the leaders of the 12 countries that now get to sit at the big kids table (is more or less what I told him). So does that answer what the protestors are asking for? he asked. Well, I don't think so.
G-20s (or G-any number) and protests go hand in hand these days. As part of their preparations for hosting world leaders, cities also prepare to host thousands or protesters with nearly as many different causes. Why protest these events (which are otherwise pretty bland)? Is it having all those world leaders in one place? It's come to seem almost like a script, world leaders discuss, protesters clash with police, and no one anywhere really talks about what the protesters are opposed to.
So, let me ask this (and I ask as a real question): What use is it protesting the G-20? Is it good enough to just show opposition? What do demonstrators hope to accomplish?
G-20s (or G-any number) and protests go hand in hand these days. As part of their preparations for hosting world leaders, cities also prepare to host thousands or protesters with nearly as many different causes. Why protest these events (which are otherwise pretty bland)? Is it having all those world leaders in one place? It's come to seem almost like a script, world leaders discuss, protesters clash with police, and no one anywhere really talks about what the protesters are opposed to.
So, let me ask this (and I ask as a real question): What use is it protesting the G-20? Is it good enough to just show opposition? What do demonstrators hope to accomplish?
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