Stand Up, Be Counted!

Dominic Taylor, The University of Cambridge, 2nd year Modern and Mediaeval Languages

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“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” These sentiments from Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel were reflected recently in the violent outbursts in London. With the flames of debate fanned by increasing signs of dissent as university occupations continue, now is a suitable time to question whether protest deserves a place in our modern society. But as the old saying goes, there is no smoke without fire. In the face of unfair treatment, I believe we must uphold our democratic right to protest.

What is needed is not the hot flame of aimless anger seen in recent weeks, but a reasoned engagement with the issues. Of course, in the short term it is notorious incidents such as the throwing of the fire extinguisher in London which always dominate news reports. This, however, is not protest. This is attempted murder. The only way to achieve lasting results and to be taken seriously is to take on the politicians in a peaceful way. Indeed, one need look no further than the reaction of students to the protests to see how divisive they have been. Violent protests have won the instigators no friends amongst affected students, much less amongst our fellow citizens who, we must remember, are equally affected by budget cuts. Some protesters might envision themselves, perhaps, as revolutionaries of the French Revolution, or at least as students taking part in the Parisian student riots of May 1968. The world today is, however, different. In this internet age, effective, large-scale protests are easier than ever to organise and there are so many better alternatives to violence.

It is also important to consider what we wish to achieve through protest. I would not suggest that a great deal of students are trying to provoke a revolution, but what I would suggest is that there are many who would have the government change its policies to prevent further rioting, and it is for this reason that they see violence as effective. I see this as entirely unrealistic. If governments were to behave in this way, they would simply be opening the door to further protest to force any issue. No, the purpose of direct action, as Martin Luther King once argued, is not to force action, but to force dialogue. And that is precisely the reason I support protest despite condemning violence. Through direct action, we might not immediately change the world, but protest nevertheless plays a crucial role in creating an atmosphere for dialogue. What is more, if protests can capture the imagination of students and engage them in political thought, then surely that alone is a worthy achievement. Many of the future leaders of this country are likely at university, so it is absolutely crucial that our apathetic generation finds itself in political terms.

If we believe in our cause, then now is the time to stand up and be counted. Of course, we should listen to what Ghandi has to say when he warns that “the science of non-violence alone can lead one to pure democracy”, and consider very carefully our actions, but if the alternative is student apathy, then I will take protest any day.