|
A demonstration or street protest is action by a mass group or collection of groups of people in favor of a political or other cause; it normally consists of walking in a mass march formation and either beginning with or meeting at a designated endpoint, or rally, to hear speakers. Historian Eric Hobsbawm says, "Next to sex, the activity combining bodily experience and intense emotion to the highest degree is the participation in a mass demonstration at a time of great public exaltation. Unlike sex, which is essentially individual, it is by its nature collective...and it can be prolonged for hours....It implies some physical action--marching, chanting slogans, singing — through which the merger of the individual in the mass, which is the essence of the collective experience, finds expression." Actions such as blockades and sit-ins may also be referred to as demonstrations. Demonstrations can be nonviolent or violent (usually referred to by participants as "militant"), or can begin as nonviolent and turn violent dependent on circumstances. Sometimes riot police or other forms of law enforcement become involved. In some cases this may be in order to try to prevent the protest from taking place at all. In other cases it may be to prevent clashes between rival groups, or to prevent a demonstration from spreading and turning into a riot. The term has been in use since the mid-19th century, as was the term 'monster meeting', which was coined initially with reference to the huge assemblies of protesters inspired by Daniel O'Connell in Ireland.〔Oxford English Dictionary〕 Demonstrations are a form of activism, usually taking the form of a public gathering of people in a rally or walking in a march. Thus, the opinion is ''demonstrated'' to be significant by gathering in a crowd associated with that opinion. Demonstrations can be used to show a viewpoint (either positive or negative) regarding a public issue, especially relating to a perceived grievance or social injustice. A demonstration is usually considered more successful if more people participate. Topics of demonstrations often deal with political, economic, and social issues. ==Forms== There are many types of demonstrations, including a variety of elements. These may include: *Marches, in which a parade demonstrate while moving along a set route. *Rallies, in which people gather to listen to speakers or musicians. *Picketing, in which people surround an area (normally an employer). *Sit-ins, in which demonstrators occupy an area, sometimes for a stated period but sometimes indefinitely, until they feel their issue has been addressed, or they are otherwise convinced or forced to leave. *Nudity, in which they protest naked - here the antagonist may give in before the demonstration happens to avoid embarrassment. Demonstrations are sometimes spontaneous gatherings, but are also utilized as a tactical choice by movements. They often form part of a larger campaign of nonviolent resistance, often also called civil resistance. Demonstrations are generally staged in public, but private demonstrations are certainly possible, especially if the demonstrators wish to influence the opinions of a small or very specific group of people. Demonstrations are usually physical gatherings, but virtual or online demonstrations are certainly possible. Sometimes, particularly with controversial issues, groups of people opposed to the aims of a demonstration may themselves launch a counter-demonstration with the aim of opposing the demonstrators and presenting their view. Clashes between demonstrators and counter-demonstrators may turn violent. Government-organized demonstrations are demonstrations which are organized by a government. The Islamic Republic of Iran,〔(Analysis: Iran Sends Terror-Group Supporters To Arafat's Funeral Procession ) "...state-organized rallies..."〕〔(Why Washington and Tehran are headed for a showdown ) ''The Hedge Fund Journal'' 16 April 200〕 the People's Republic of China,〔(Global News, No. GL99-072 ) ''China News Digest'' June 3, 1989〕 Republic of Cuba,〔(Cubans ponder life without Fidel ) ''The Washington Times'' 2 August 2006〕 the Soviet Union〔("Democracy in the Former Soviet Union: 1991-2004" ) ''Power and Interest News Report'' 28 December 2004 〕 and Argentina, among other nations, have had government-organized demonstrations. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Demonstration (protest)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|