This past Monday, February
20, 2017, was President's Day. I am sure we could all have expected there to
be some crazed things taking place, given that we are recently under new administration.
Donald Trump has only been our president for about a month now.
Nationwide, many activists
held “Not My President’s Day” rallies, which turned ugly in some places. These
rallies took place in New York, Chicago, LA and many other large cities.
Protestors were chanting things such as “Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got
to go!” (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/02/20/not-my-presidents-day-rallies/98151790/)
Many people had signs while they rallied, painted on them things such as “NOT my
president” and “Fire up to fire Trump.” Some people dressed in goofy outfits
and some even had giant cut outs of our President. As the rallies got heated
and more intense, the police became involved; tackling aggressive and violent
protestors.
On the other hand,
Trump supporters are planning conservative rallies across the nation, to push
back against the protestors against him. These are said to take place in
Georgia. Debbie Dooley helped organize the events “Spirit of America” which are
in support of President Trump bringing back jobs for Americans. The first rally
is planned to occur on February 25, 2017. Dooley said, “President Trump is
under attack from the left, so we need to show the left we support President
Trump.” (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/02/20/not-my-presidents-day-rallies/98151790/)
The second article
is a direct response to political activism, in support of our President. However,
everyone participating in either rally/protest are on two different sides. Yet
they all went about expressing their views about the election and new
administration in the same way. When comparing the two opposing sides, the
anti-Trump protestors were aggressive and violent, while the pro-Trump
supporters are planning a peaceful rally to express their views on our new
President. Protesting is a great way to express people’s views and opinions.
But sometimes people abuse it, just as the anti-Trump protestors did.
The persuasive
techniques used were visual imagery and emotion. The use of emotion can be seen
by the anti-Trump supporters, through their aggressiveness and determination.
They expressed their views and feelings on the matter so strongly, in hopes to
convince people of the opposing side to alter their own views. By conveying their
side and why they feel the way they do, anyone who does not already agree with
them, will be more likely to sympathize and see their reasoning. Visual imagery
can be seen with they way some protestors dressed and the signs they made to
hold while chanting. Visual imagery is effective, especially in a protest because
it sticks in people’s head. They are more likely to remember things when they
see it. And along with just seeing it, they are hearing it too, from the
protestors chanting. With these two techniques used together, it is more likely
to get the message out and seen.
The demographics
being targeted are young adults; anyone who is new to the political world, or
even just voting, because they have a voice, and want to be heard. Young adults
are the future, so the more involved they are now, the more likely the future
will end up in their favor. If these ant-Trump protestors can get more people
on board, the more likely they are to get their way. The other demographics
being targeted are immigrants. While people are chanting against everything
President Trump stands for, those who it is directed at will become more
enraged and likely to join in.
With the second
protest coming up, said to be a peaceful one, there will be much more for
people to say about the matter. There is always going to be two sides to everything, especially when political views are involved.
