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Marching

An effective way of guaranteeing media coverage for your cause.

Article by : SpunOut.ie

Marching is still a common form of protest. In a protest march a large group of people, sometimes hundreds of thousands, gather to demand changes or to challenge the actions of the government. The march often begins or ends with a rally where outspoken politicians, activists and musicians are asked to give short speeches or perform songs. 

A good example of this type of demonstration is when over 1000,000 people marched through the streets of Dublin on Saturday, 15th February 2003 to protest against the planned US invasion of Iraq and our government’s involvement. This was one of the largest marches in modern Irish history and on that same day millions took to the streets in cities all around the world to show solidarity against war.

Marches are the loudest and usually most disruptive type of protest. They are an effective way of guaranteeing media coverage for your cause.

Consider:

  • Decide what size of march you wish to organise. Having 100 people march through or gather in your local town can be just as effective as having 10,000 march through a big city.

     
  • Check out a few possible routes and how long it will take to walk. A mile long march is a useful marker. A common route is to start on the outskirts of a town and march to a town square or central place where a rally is held.

     
  • Its important to contact your local Garda station and speak to someone in charge of public events. Be confident on the phone and remember it is your right to peaceful public protest.

     
  • Inform the Gardaí when and where you plan to organise the march and what route you will take. This is very important as the Gardaí can then re-direct traffic and allow your march to pass through safely.

DO’s:

  • Make sure your march is colourful, well advertised and that it makes loads of noise! Organise an evening before the march to make a large banner and placards. Make up some chants and get hold of a few loudspeakers.

     
  • Get a core organising group to meet before the march. Make sure there is someone to hand out leaflets to the public, deal with the media and keep in contact with the Gardaí.
  • Organise reflective vests for stewards (supervision and safety). You might want to get a few older experienced adults on board to help out and lend advice on the day of your march.

     
  • If the march costs your group money for materials and other stuff, then don’t be shy about organising a public collection. Get your hands on a few buckets and stick a label to the sides explaining your march.

     
  • No matter how serious the issue you are marching for is, get a light-hearted and upbeat atmosphere going. You will attract a lot more people to your march and raise greater awareness of the issue.

     
  • Organise some samba, drumming or a mobile speaker system if you can, as music is a great friend in the battle against the 'Meanies’!

     
  • Organise a rally in a highly visible public area where your march will finish up. Invite outspoken politicians and key supporters and musicians/poets and give them each 5-10 minutes max to speak or perform for the cause. Make sure someone from your group gets up and says a few words too!

     
  • After the march and rally is over, make sure you have a dedicated clean-up crew and people to store banners, placards, loud speakers and any collection you’ve made.

     
  • If this sounds like a lot to organise, don’t be put off! It is just a few hours work if you have a core team sharing tasks and responsibilities.

     
  • It’s a great buzz to be part of something like a march and to make your voice and concerns heard.
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