How to Wage an Economic Protest

The most effective public protests are economic protests. While rallies and marches are good for morale, money is ultimately the loudest voice in our country. Here are some tips on how to wage two of the most basic types of economic protests: boycotts and strikes,

Boycotts

The idea behind boycotts is simple: stop patronizing a company until they address your concerns. Boycotts require mass participation in order to be effective. Here are some tips on organizing a boycott:

1) Have a clear, concise objective.

2) Do your research. Make sure you know everything there is to know about the company you are protesting, their policies, their employment practices, everything. If you can, get testimony from current or ex-employees. Arm yourself with facts.

3) Set up a meeting with company representatives. Inform them of your concerns. Tell them that if your concerns are not immediately addressed, you will begin a boycott.

4) If the company does not immediately address your concerns, BOYCOTT. This is the most important part: you musty find an effective way to spread the message and gather support. Social media, local news, alternative news, word-of-mouth, picket lines - get the word out about why the boycott is necessary, and suggest alternative options for the products or services that the company currently provides.

5) Be persistent! Boycotts can take a very long time to take effect. The company will not engage in reform unless they truly feel the pain from their resulting economic losses. So, don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate results

Strikes

Strikes, like boycotts, put economic pressure on companies in order to persuade them to reform. Unlike boycotts, which are carried out by consumers, strikes occur when employees of the company collectively refuse to work. Strikes can be complicated - they are not always protected by law, and they may even be illegal depending on the professed goal of the strikers. Here is how to organize a strike:

1) Research the laws and regulations governing strikes for your state, locality, and employer. Ensure that you have the proper legal backing for a strike, and that you will be able to return to your job once the strike is concluded. Read the National Labor Relations Act and any other laws related to your specific circumstances.

2) Ensure that you and your fellow strikers have a support system to carry you through the strike, When you're striking, you're not working, so make sure that you have an alternative source of income. This is where the community comes in: the Memphis sanitation workers' strike of 1968 only lasted long as it did because the black community in Memphis provided financial and social support to the strikers,

3) Meet with your employers. Inform them of your concerns and your intention to take action if they are not addressed.

4) If your concerns are not addressed, STRIKE. Like boycotts, strikes are group efforts. The more employees that go on strike, the more effective the strike will be. Also like boycotts, strikes may last for a long time before you see results, so stay positive and motivated.

5) Spread the word! Make your strike visible by picketing, spreading the word through news and social media, and holding conversations with your neighbors. Maybe attempt to organize a concurrent boycott to double down on the economic pressure.

6) Do not engage in violence, illegal harassment, or illegal sit-ins on company property. Any action like this will legitimize your strike and possibly get you arrested or fired.

7) Continue negotiations with your employer. Don't let them avoid the problem. They will almost certainly hire scabs (replacement workers). Again, don't engage in any illegal activity related to the scabs, but you are free to vocally express your displeasure. At the same time, be compassionate: the company is your opponent, not the scabs.

Of course, the reality of economic protest is much more complicated than these simple tips. Make sure you know the rules and laws before you start any radical action, make sure you have the necessary social support, and make sure that you have some way to support yourself financially if you will be unable to work for a significant period of time.

Keep your wits about you, and with these tools of economic protest, you will be able to effect the change you wish to see in the world.

Sources:

http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/boycotts/howtosetupaboycott.aspx

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/strikes.html

https://www.nlrb.gov/strikes