I think some protest tactics like blocking walkways hurt more than help progressive causes.

[guillaumeb]

59. What exactly would you have people do?

1) Sit at home and scream at the television? or
2) Write a polite letter to the editor about an issue? or
3) Send a letter/email to your congressperson? or
4) Get in the street and make noise? or
5) all of the above?

I belong to a social justice group that does all of the above, depending on the situation. Civil rights were won by marching, and boycotting buses, and sitting in at lunch counters, and preaching in churches, and organizing at schools.

Union rights were won by marching, and shutting down factories, and blocking buildings, and lobbying politicians, and writing articles. The point is to use whatever tactics work. I have blocked streets, and disrupted traffic. Yes, some people are inconvenienced, but as Bravenak said, people are being killed while all of this is going on. Sometimes inconvenience is the way to get the issue in front of people and make them think.