It would be hard for a person who hasn't fallen victim to a particular problem in the society to justify the inconvenience activists bring to the general public because they have little understanding of what pain the things the activists are standing for or against brings to the victims.
If many of us are in the shoes of the victims, we wouldn't hesitate to support activists in their fight for whatever change and development they are demanding regardless of how much inconvenience it would bring to the general public. It hurts to know that the different bodies of government we elected to serve us are now been bossy and they tend to turn deaf ears to the cry of the people until activists take it up to the extent of inconveniencing the general public. The movement most times have nothing to do with inconveniencing the general public but it tends to escalate when nothing is been done to meet the demands of the people
A few years ago I was on a bus at Ojota in Lagos for 3hrs, it was standstill traffic that day and we didn't know why or what was happening. We later got to discover that some students of Lagos State University were the ones who blocked the road with long buses because the governor didn't grant them an audience since they have been protesting about the increase in school fees, that road leads to the governor's office in Alausa.
Information got to the governor and he invited the students activist to his office, I didn't know what happened after but they were able to get the governor's attention by disrupting the peace of the public.
The government across the world today only reacts to things that affect their reputation or source of revenue, if you don't do something huge that has to do with disturbing the public then it would be hard to get their attention. I am not in support of violence, I love to approach controversial issues as calmly as possible but in some cases, calmness wouldn't make a difference.
Unfortunately, activists' movements do not go peacefully anymore because protests are been hijacked and many evildoers use them as a means of carrying out their evil plans.
I believe the government ought to know what's right to do, action should be taken swiftly immediately the citizens are complaining about anything they aren't pleased with. Whatsoever doesn't affect the people in power doesn't bother them and inconveniencing the general public seems to be the perfect approach to getting their attention.
The Nigerian Universities have been on strike for months now and the government isn't concerned about that, the students have been doing rallies in the schools, roadsides but nothing is been done but when they start blocking roads and the government starts feeling the impact of the student actions, it is then they would start showing concern. I was watching a national TV when a student President said if nothing is done, they will stop every activity going on in the state.
Must it get to that level before the government starts giving solutions, these students are humans too and they know what it feels to hinder people from working but some things have to be done. The general public will condemn their act but do you know that if they don't do those things to find a lasting solution to school strikes and others, our younger children will grow and experience the same thing.
Folding hands because the public must not be inconvenienced doesn't mean we should be silent about the pain of the people in the country.
The killing of Nigerian youth by the police increased drastically in recent years and the parents and families of the deceased youths weren't getting justice despite involving the government. Many people felt unconcerned about it until they became victims too, the issue got to a stage when the youth took things up for themselves.
They started a protest in 2020, I was moved to tears seeing hundreds of pictures of youth that were killed by the Nigeria police for no reason. The protest meant nothing until they started closing down major roads across different states, it was then the government responded because it was affecting the country's revenue as well.
Life of many activists were lost but we saw the impact because the government realized what the people can do and they had to make adjustments even though we still experience those problems today.
The activist efforts aren't for their benefit only, they are doing it for the masses and I believe they would have done it another way if there is one that can get the government's attention quickly.
Everyone heard about the George Floyd case, it wasn't the first time a black was treated that way but the movement of the activist on his case reached the attention of the government and they knew it would tear the country apartment if nothing was done to stop the act of blacks been treated like animals.
Every step toward reformation or change comes with challenges and the general public must be carried along to give them a better understanding of what they are trying to achieve. In situations where the general public will be inconvenienced some sectors in the country must be allowed to operate conveniently because they are extremely important.
The medical and food production sector mustn't be affected, doctors, pharmacists, farmers, and food vendors must be allowed to operate. Nothing should stop the movement of ambulances and food trucks because a lot of lives depend on them to survive. People who need medical attention mustn't be denied access to it, inconveniencing doesn't have to lead to loss of life.
Inconveniencing the public is something anyone in his or her right senses wouldn't want to do but there are times these things are done for a greater good. Let's not feel unconcerned about the problems the activist are fighting for or against because it isn't affecting us at the moment, we can't predict what will happen next.
Anyone can be the next victim.
Sadly, a few of these activist movement sometimes isn't for very reasonable reasons, some come with selfish desires of small groups, organizations, and even individuals. I would want to mention names but I think we must understand that a lot is at stake for inconveniencing the public and we shouldn't engage in such an act if it is not worth it.
The contest is open to everyone and you can participate if you are willing to, just click on the clink below for the community guideline for the contest.
"ARE ACTIVISTS WHO INCONVENIENCE THE GENERAL PUBLIC JUSTIFIED?"