Saladarity, or, Get Your Own March

Been thinking about the protests of recent days -- Saturday's megamarch for peace, justice and democracy in NYC (see photo) and today's demonstrations around the country in support of immigrant workers, many of whom skipped work today to make a point about the critical role they play in our economy.

Both events attracted a lot of ridicule from conservative pundits and even from some on the left, including my friend Twinkletoze, who was in NYC Saturday with the Friends Committee on National Legislation, for including groups that are not really related to the issue they are trying to call attention to. Saturday's event apparently began as a protest against the war in Iraq and the possibility of going after Iran, but morphed into a generic antiwar + "justice for all" demonstration when groups such as NOW, gay-rights organizations, pro-choicers, environmental groups and the like got involved.

I am a leftie who considers herself more sympathizer than activist. I have participated in demonstrations as a member of the Solidarity Singers but have yet to attend such an event on my own. I realize that we lefties often get involved in protests for causes other than our personal pet causes as a show of solidarity for those afflicted.

But I wonder if that's such a good idea. It tends to dilute the message and, to the right, makes every such event easy to dismiss as another "left-wing wacko" circus. In other words, what started out as a gesture of solidarity just looks like a "leftie cause salad."

My advice to those who wish to show support for a cause other than their specific raison d'etre: Unless it is truly an across-the-board, multi-issue protest such as "Dump Bush," leave your own signs at home and rally behind the issue at hand. If it's an antiwar protest, don't carry signs in support of women's rights or alternative energy, carry antiwar signs. It will boost the credibility of the message du jour ("Hey, look at all those people against the war!" instead of "Hey, look at all those wackos with all their little issues!") and give your women's rights or environmental rallies, when you hold them, more clout as well.

The right does this. You don't see "support the troops" signs at anti-abortion demonstrations, or "save the unborn" signs at "support the troops" rallies. And guess whom the politicians are listening to.

Just something to think about. I know my activist friends read this and I would appreciate feedback.

And happy May Day!