There's a lot of folk out here downvoting my protest and boycott encouragement. I just assume they're do nothing goobers or worse.

The sad fact is, even most of the people who're sympathetic to democracy and human rights will do just about zero to protect or fight for them.

I don't really know what else to do though, so I keep trying!

Working with your local government and particpating in it will create greater change because you have the ability to influence laws at a local level.

From there, it opens doors to working with towns and eventually the state.

States have the power to override Federal laws in greater numbers.

This is by design. If you dont understand how your country works, the systems that run it, then you will fail.

Awareness helps, but it rarely changes things. Participating in the democratic process creates the potential for change before it's too late.

Sure. I participate quite frequently through calls, donations, and voting.

But I'm not sure if you've looked at the news lately... we're pretty far into "too late".

Non-violent protest movements have a great record of creating real, and sustained change. Whether that's in India, or the civil rights and gay rights and suffrage and abolition movements here, peaceful protest is a powerful way to send a message to the people in your governments what you and the rest of the people there support and expect of them.

It's a great way to meet folk, to get good energy, to get a message out, to get a little exercise and fresh air, and to support your causes in an effective and, relatively light time commitment manner.

It’s both condescending and unhelpful, since the people doing the violence aren’t on here reading hn.

You found my message condescending? Lol. You must be really easily offended