Do Protests Matter?

GUESTS: U.S. REPRESENTATIVE BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN, TODD GITLIN, THOMAS WRIGHT

Is marching an effective way to express dissatisfaction? What about tweeting? As many Americans are concerned over the legitimacy of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, voters and politicians alike are using different tactics of protest to voice their discontent. Many elected officials have decided not to attend President-elect Trump’s inauguration on Friday, and the following day, the Women’s March on Washington is expected to attract 200,000 protestors. In this hour, Marty talks with U.S. Representative BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN about why she won’t attend and about her alternative plans. Then, TODD GITLIN, professor of journalism and sociology and chair of the Ph. D. program in Communications at Columbia University, breaks down the ways in which people protest, how effective are protests and how they’ve changed over the years. Also joining, THOMAS WRIGHT, professor Strategic Communication at Temple University, who is teaching students to become more active in civic life.