If protesting didn't achieve anything, they wouldn't be killing people in the streets for doing it.

Also @NauticalNoodle@lemmy.ml

The 50501 protests have their own uses, both as a method to show others that there are a lot of people who are also angry and upset with things (someone knowing they're not alone is important to take any further steps), and as a way to ease people not used to activism into becoming an activist, and meeting like minded or more radical people, which hopefully leads toward meaningful organizing within their community, like the methods described under this post.

Well.. my 2 cents: it enormously matters because fascist regimes are way more fragile than they seem. Carney's analogy of the 'signs in the window' was extremely appropriate (listen to his Davos speech if you haven't), and even in the heart of Nazi Germany, proved massively impactful.

They won't change everything by themselves, and there also needs to be a mobilisation in all layers of government, in the armed forces, police forces, etc... when you saw the National Guard joining the marches with high visibility jackets, recently, or the police kicking out Ice agents from a private property (hoping we can trust this one, weak source), it contributes to changing the dynamic...

Will it be enough or change fast enough idk, but its not useless IMO!

Protests are basically giant rallies of people in your area who are motivated by similar grievances as you. The protests by themselves don't do much but you can discourse and connect with other people who attend them.

I too have been looking for a larger reason to protest instead of just an airing of grievances. I'm not sure I found one but i came across this article in a post the other day:

How Peaceful Protest by Just 3.5 Percent of Americans Could Force Major Policy Changes From the Trump Administration.

Link to supporting paper