Proud of the Counter-Demonstration

The counter-demonstration at yesterday's disgusting Neo-Nazi rally on our Capitol steps made me proud of Madison. It was large, peaceful and multi-faceted, combining (nonviolent) outrage at the hate group, information about and support for local activism, and humor. (Thanks to the counter-demonstrators who came dressed in pink fuzzy bunny suits, for helping to dispel some of the gloom.) Plus, it was much more racially diverse than most activist events in Madison.

I understand and respect the individuals and groups who called for community members to ignore the Neo-Nazi action. Their concerns included that a counter-demonstration could bring more media attention for the hate group, and that the Nazis might provoke counter-demonstrators to violence. But I find one frequently-voiced sentiment from this group misinformed and patronizing. As Madison police detective Alix Olson told the Capital Times:

I hope the protesters will go a step farther and do something against hate. You've got to make a commitment beyond just coming here and shouting them down.

In my experience, people attending a three-hour counter-demonstration are very likely already part of various positive community efforts. At yesterday's event, I saw people active in peace groups, third party politics, independent media projects, neighborhood organizing, health education, immigrant rights organizing, LGBT activism and student activism. Statements like Officer Olson's suggest that counter-demonstrators like to make noise, but have little understanding of how to affect positive social change. Nothing could be farther from the truth.