Weekly Discussion Paper (7)

Lana Silva

SOC 122 MW 5:30

17 May 2016

 

http://www.democracynow.org/2016/5/9/stoptrump_protesters_lock_themselves_to_ladders

This Democracy Now story was about anti-Trump activists protesting during his campaign visit to Lynden Washington. The protestors chose to have their demonstration here because of the town's long history of racism. Three of the activists formed a "human chain" across one side of the freeway. The middle protestor had "PVC pipe lockboxes" around her arms and then she was connected to 2 other protesters who were each chained to a ladder. They blocked traffic for over 30 minutes with their chain and a couple sideways-parked cars.  In addition, protestors chanted, "When indigenous rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!" and "This will be hate-free land!" This story highlights framing theory because the activists are using language and other tactics that get peoples attentions and get their blood boiling. They hope that their protest would get the message across to vote for another candidate and not support Trump.

  

http://www.democracynow.org/2016/5/9/driscolls_workers_call_for_cross_border

This Democracy Now story was about farmworkers and other activists who have been asking people to boycott buying berries from the mega company Driscoll's. For three years, farmworkers from Sakuma Brothers Farms have staged "a series of walkouts, picket lines and lawsuits over alleged labor violations." Since then, they have also spread their activism to about 40 other farms that supply Driscoll's, in both the United States and Mexico. This story highlighted one protest in particular where the activists marched as a demand for Costco to stop selling Driscoll's products. Protestors chanted sayings like "Boycott Driscoll's!" and "Wage theft is not okay!" This story showed a lot of framing theory because the activists and reporters used strong language in order to make the public aware of the problems (unjust working conditions) and the potential solutions (to boycott Driscoll's and give the workers a union contract, better housing conditions, working conditions, and better salaries). Some of the workers are currently being paid as little as about $6.50 for 12 to 15 hours of work, live in horrendous housing conditions, and begin working before the age of 15. These activists are demanding change.