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Walk-Outs and Sit-Ins
Dramatic ways to highlight your cause.
Check with a friendly solicitor or experienced activist about conducting a Walk-out or Sit-in. Prepare a press release and leaflets to explain why you have decided to take this action.
Walk-Outs, ‘Should I stay or should I go?’
Walk-outs are a dramatic way of showing your group means business. People often use this form of protest when all other attempts have failed to solve an issue. Walking out of class to protest at lack of a decent library or study facilities is one example.
Sit-Ins, ‘Sit down for your rights’!
Sit-ins are most useful when you want to sit and stay put until you are offered something, such as a commitment from a Government Department, College Director or a Boss. A good example of a well-publicised sit-in was when USI (Union of Students in Ireland) organised an occupation in the Department of Education in August 2004, as tens of thousands of Leaving Cert Students awaited their results.
DO’s:
- Try and get the media to meet you, so that you can explain your position. Get someone in the group to save a list of media contacts on your mobile.
- If deciding to hold a Sit-In it, is a good idea for each person to wear a back-pack with food, fruit, chocolate bars and a large bottle of water and a large empty bottle in the event of natural emergencies! A deck of playing cards is also an option!
- Tell everyone involved what could happen when they participate in the protest.
- Keep a mobile and charger for communication.
Consider:
- Try to find someone who has already taken part in a Walk-out or Sit-in before you take action and get his or her thoughts on the experience.
- Hold a meeting to make sure that all other attempts to solve the issue have been tried and failed to work.
