When doctoral student Luis Fernandez taught "Social Protest, Conflict and Change," his top priority was to dispel the myths surrounding political protests.
One myth: protesters don't actually know much about the causes they fight for -- that they are an irrational, angry mob.
Or that protesting is a full-time job, and some make their living as "professional protesters."
Another is that one can solve all ills and change society by working through the system to change laws.
Those misconceptions just aren't true, Fernandez said.
"Protest happens when people feel powerless," he said. Protest happens when all legal and governmental options have been closed.
So far protesters have been present at every major political event, from party conventions to presidential debates. There are already plans to protest at the presidential debate to take place at ASU on Oct. 13.
Fernandez currently is working on becoming an expert on the policy behind protests. He has written five chapters of his dissertation, one of which focuses on the way police and government officials attempt to create a notion that protesters are dangerous anarchists.
"If they [the police] scare the population, they can get away with a lot of things," he said.
Fernandez also will draw upon his own experience as a protester to write his dissertation. He has been involved in a walk against Proposition 200, a campaign to save Hayden Butte and protests against the war in Iraq.
"There are more issues than you can do something about," he said.
Education professor Beth Swadenbr said she is motivated to protest when she sees injustice in the world.
"If we think something is wrong we have that right [to protest]," she said. "It's patriotic, and it makes democracy work better."
Swadenbr has participated in protests and vigils. She also is a member of Women in Black, who often stand near the Memorial Union on campus to silently protest war and violence.
"I find it pretty exhilarating," she said. Whatever your political persuasion, she said, it can feel lonely at times. Protests, rallies and parades bring diverse people together and create excitement for a cause.
When she participates in protest, Swadenbr said she thinks, "This is what democracy looks like."
Fernandez said he thinks back to the 1960s and the Civil Rights movement in the South. He has asked his students if they would leave Arizona to participate in the protests.
When it comes to contemporary issues, Fernandez said he wants to be able to answer:
"I did not stand by that ... absolutely, I was there."
Reach the reporter at lindsay.butler@asu.edu.
