POWER TO THE PEOPLE

PROGRAMME 4: P TO T

Punk

This segment looks at the origins, nature and development of punk as a form of protest. Toyah Willcox and John Robb explain how 1970s punk gave young people a political voice. Jake Sims-Fielding explains what his punk group Capdown, short for Capitalist Downfall, aims to achieve for the younger generation today and why he believes that punk is still a valid and valuable form of protest.

Queer

This segment summarises the social and legislative changes that the Gay Rights Movement has helped to bring about since the 1970s. It notes that, as homophobia still exists, the need for a Gay Rights Movement remains. It spells out the political strategies and tactical approaches that the Movement used to promote its cause. These include the use of:

• a positive rather than defensive slogan – Gay is good
• humorous, creative and innovative visual stunts by the organisation Outrage!
• orthodox political methods – for example, meetings with government ministers – by the organisation Stonewall to complement the stunts organised by Outrage!

Riots

The key message in this segment is that riots are protests that have gone wrong. Journalist Kate Adie, Nick Ferrari, Matt Freestone, Dr Papadopolous and photographer David Hoffman share their experiences of, and views on, riots. Issues covered include behaviour that triggers riots, the influence of powerful emotions on a crowd, the role of the police, and the negative effects that riots have on the public's perception of the protest cause concerned.

Stunts

This protest method is illustrated by footage of stunts carried out by Fathers 4 Justice. The accompanying discussion explores the purpose of stunts, why they attract media attention, the risks they involve, how they compare to traditional protest methods, such as demonstrations, and what they achieve.

Technology

This segment shows how protestors use technology to get their message across and to let the world know what they are doing. It includes footage of anti-war messages being projected on to the Houses of Parliament. It also shows how Greenpeace used camera phones and the internet to raise awareness of its protest against the use of illegally logged rainforest timber in the construction of government buildings.