How to March Peacefully: Lancaster City's Success at Peaceful Demonstrations

A few weeks ago, my husband and I beheld a great sight in our downtown district in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. There was a rally for peace, including hundreds of marchers. The best thing? Police were directing traffic and pedestrians, and helping in the success of the rally.

Many times we hear of rallies gone wrong by police brutality and violence. Granted, it was expected and fitting for a rally for peace to be ran smoothly, but it was still a nice change to see in our country How can other cities learn from how Lancaster county holds their rallies and protests? There are a few points that will help any organization achieve their freedom of speech without police hindrance or brutality.

The first thing any organization should do when planning a rally or protest, is to get information about, and apply for, parade/march permits. Many cities require this in order to keep the environment controlled. Freedom of speech can only work when people work together. This is a much different time than the '60's, when rallies went wrong due to racial tensions. Although injustice still exists, there are much better communications with your local government to help in leading a peaceful initiative.

The new wave of rallies and protests must work together with local authorities to communicate their issues to the surrounding environment in a peaceful way. Although I still believe there are way too many laws and regulations, certain expectations must be met through your local government in order to have a successful platform in which to express opinions and change.

It is also very important, for all people who will partake in the festivities, to know the rules and regulations of your local government's parade/march permits. All parties must know that there are certain rules that must be followed, such as the noise ordinances, and length of march regulations. All this nitty-gritty information is important to every person who participates to ensure a successful rally.

Lastly, the importance of the parade/march should be at the forefront. Keeping a direct-minded focus on certain topics will keep your rally better organized and prove to be a powerful punch when leading change in your local area.

Rallies and marches can be leave a lasting impression on passers-by as well as on local government. One voice can be stronger than thousands, but when one's voice joins together in thousands, it is a great symbol of hope and change.