This is Part Two of strategies from Korea on how we ousted our president.
Part one is here.
Koreans are professionals protesters. It is in our heritage, literally. The current democracy was founded through protest, and it most definitely will continue through protest. Before this, we had traditional practices of rebellion and demonstrations for thousands of years throughout our dynasties.
Protest is a medium for communication, expression, community building, and mobilization. There are different types and functions of protests. Some to disrupt business as usual, to interrupt supply chains, to bring awareness and information to the broader community, for solidarity, for companionship, and for a combination of all of those, etc.
In any given day you will find Koreans protesting, but we also organize mass (think millions) protests, almost like people in the west schedule meetings.
The fifth strategy (the first four are in Part One) is to set large protests so that the maximum number of people can show up in the most accessible of spaces. This typically means scheduling them after typical work and school hours, or often on weekends in large open areas.
The first massive organized protest after the declaration of martial law was scheduled for as many to attend as possible. There were everyday protests before this, but large-scale protests were on Saturday afternoons. Accessible protest times and spaces.
Strategy six is to include people before they get there. This is with regard to physical protests, but also online. Include people beforehand with maps, apps, accessibility directions and information, alternatives, websites, and constantly updated information.
Strategy seven is to include people after they get there. Whether people arrive with friends or alone, you are all one now. Look out for each other and share your food and resources. Some people brought food, warming devices, coffee, blankets for hundreds of other people. If you have the means, this could be you. I pre-purchased hot coffee/tea at nearby cafés for a dozen folks to pick up when they needed it. I ate hot buns that people next to me handed out to our protest row (this is advanced protest strategy that will come in a different post).
Strategy eight is that protesting, for Koreans, is a marathon. It is part of movement building itself. It is not an event, but a highly coordinated multipronged multi-medium multilayered multi-generational enduring process. Koreans have been constantly protesting for decades. Do not regard protest as a single happening. It is an ongoing way of life. We are always in protest, whether we are at protests or not.
Do not let things happen that should not happen. In the west many measures are taken to obscure, hide, and erase the machinations of capitalist colonialism and the abuse of power in the political arena and also at companies and organizations. Now you are witnessing it without the shroud right at your doorstep.
While many in the west have known for generations what oppression looks, sounds, smells, tastes, and feels like, now so many more are understanding, too. Going back to the second strategy from Part One, know your collective histories to share your struggles. I cannot overemphasize enough the importance of solidarity.
Again, just some strategies I’m sharing from Korea.
A recap of the strategies. Five, schedule accessible times and spaces for protests. Six, include people before they get there. Seven, include people after they get there because you are all one now. Eight, be always in protest whether you are at protests or not.
화이팅, y’all.
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