Dear governments, protests are a gold mine. Attack the problems, not your people.
Dear governments,
Imagine if every time there is a demonstration or protest, ‘riot officers’ would be called to the scene, but instead of the baton-wielding platoon that is every-ready to act violently against citizens, they are
forms-packing concerned humans hell-bent on understanding the concerns of the protesters
On behalf of authorities, deploying a body of people meant to intimidate citizens from doing more, has never been a good solution to calming people down. They would not be in the streets protesting unless their frustrations have outgrown their patience. Dear government, you are fighting fire with fire. How can you expect things to cool down?
Protests are in fact golden opportunities to uncover insights. The people on the streets would be the most ‘problematic’ citizens in your eyes right? Well if you can address their concerns, then you’d be insuring yourself against future opposition and criticism. So use the bloody opportunity.
Citizens calling a protest?
Assemble hundreds of researchers who will set up booths around the demonstration location. Invite protesters to spend 10 minutes or more to share their frustrations. Make a strong guarantee that the results of these interviews WILL be announced publicly. Make a guarantee that you will respond to the grievances.
Not only can you have the upper hand in forming a response, as the data on the frustrations of people can guide your strategy, you will most definitely save yourself of the embarrassment of later on conceding to the protesters should they prove to be unstoppable by your regular means.
On any other day, these people would be scattered all over. On a protest day, they’re all grouped in one tiny spot. Make use of this opportunity to learn about the problems that should be addressed. Save yourself from the impending embarrassment.
Riot officers should be replaced with research officers.
Attack the roots of the problems, not the people.
