As the spring semester comes to a close, student protest movements at the University of Connecticut have reached a momentary crescendo. On Wednesday, the student-led UConnifer coalition joined with local Mansfield community residents in a demonstration against the proposed construction of a golf facility on top of the existing UConn-owned Conifer Collection. This was not the first time a student protest had taken place on campus this year. Demonstrations and events organized by the Coalition on Immigration, the Solidarity Fund and several of our university’s unions have occurred with semi-regular frequency. All of this activity comes as our nation approaches midterm elections in November and continues to face a swarm of civil, environmental and human rights movements. With this political backdrop in mind, the Editorial Board strongly encourages UConn students and staff to take note of how they can make their voices heard this summer.
Contact Your Elected Officials
Elected officials hold power on the premise of representing their constituents on the wider political stage. That includes you, regardless of who you may have voted for in past elections. As such, elected officials can be powerful resources for advancing an agenda on the political or legal stage. When contacting elected officials, remain focused; only address one issue. This puts emphasis on your cause and makes your position clear. Applauding your official’s previous actions is also important, as it underlines that you are aware of their legislative record. This understanding often makes representatives more receptive to your argument. If possible, find historical decisions that align with your own position. Finally, take the time to fully explain your issue. Simply telling an official that what they need to act on is not enough. They must understand why this issue matters, how it will affect their constituents and how they can help. For information on your local officials and how to contact them, check out Ballotpedia’s “Who represents me?” website.
Attend and Participate in Government Meetings
It is your civic right and responsibility to attend government meetings, to ensure transparency between the public and their elected officials. Attending public meetings can bring awareness to your cause and put your statements on the legal record, ensuring accountability. Local government meetings, such as town halls, are a great way to spark change on a local level. These spaces are often underutilized by local activists, making your attendance much more impactful. Make sure to coordinate with friends or allies to draw a crowd, as collective demands are perceived as more compelling than a singular individual’s ask. When attending a meeting, make sure to stay respectful of any rules and regulations, including whether you need to sign up in advance or if there is a limited time for public remarks. Following these regulations is important in ensuring your cause is compelling to local officials without alienating them through disrespectful conduct.
Protest
Whether organizing a sit-in, walk-out, rally, march, boycott or strike, protests are a powerful tool to bring public awareness to your campaign and put political pressure on both your opponents and policymakers to act. However, these protest movements will be ineffective without proper publicity. To ensure these aspects, reach out to local news and media stations to notify them of your group’s demonstration. Explain what you are doing, why you are doing it and where and when the protest will take place. As with attending government meetings, a protest is made more effective when incorporating large groups. Make sure to find like-minded individuals willing to back your protest. Do not be afraid to reach out to groups you might not otherwise agree with. When building a coalition, the enemy of your enemy is almost always your friend.
Regardless of the causes advanced by UConn students and staff, The Editorial Board believes that effectively using one’s voice to spark meaningful political change is both a civic right and a personal responsibility. We encourage members of the UConn community to spend their summer creating the change they want to see in their world.