Do Rallies Work?

"Pro-immigrant" activists are planning rallies today, across America.

My question is: Why?

It appears to me that rallies and marches are, perhaps, the least effective way to change public policy.

Sure, during the Civil Rights era (when many Americans, for the first time, witnessed Bull Connor's heavy-handed police brutality) and Vietnam era, these tactics were successful. But I can't think of a truly successful example in the last thirty years (I'm defining success not by attracting media attention -- but by changing public policy or, at least, public sentiment)...

Okay, they still work ... sometimes.  But every day, it seems, there is a rally in DC.  And I would venture to say that 99 percent of the time, it doesn't amount to anything.

It is a mistake for any group to confuse strategy with tactics. By relying so heavily on tactics that worked thirty years ago, the American Left is proving they are more interested in reliving the tactics of the "good old days" than by changing things.

Might I suggest they use more modern forms of technology to accomplish their goals?

In fairness, I guess we all tend to stick with things that worked in the past, too long.   I foresee a day when Generation Xers continue to be tied to their blogs (even when the rest of the world hs moved on to something newer ... like vlogs).

I guess tactics are like an old sweater that you just can't throw out.