Anyhow there were great demonstrations that you didn't mention in the earlier part of the century, but it really doesn't matter. It's a different time now, and the people, imo, are completely controlled by the influence of media . Simply, the media is everywhere.
You know, I can't help feeling that many people really missed something by NOT going through a short period (at least) where they rebelled from "the establishment" and acted out a little -- as you sarcastically refer, "all of that sex, drugs, and rock&roll crap". You seemed to have missed that period. Did you never enjoy a good joint or two in your life? If so, that's a shame, imo. ;-)
Anyhow, you are right about the communist instigators and agitators in the anti-war demonstrations. Recently exposed Soviet papers have proven that. But there were a substantial number of relatively reasonable and good people who took part in those demonstrations too. And let's not forget the good people who took part in the civil rights walks and demonstrations in the early 60's. Not all demonstrations, or as you wish to seem to want to call them "riots" were numbered with a bunch of hooligans. Along with the trouble makers and hangers-on, there was really a majority of well-meaning participants.
You mean like the WOMEN'S SUFRAGE MOVEMENT? :-)
Good grief, don't tell me that YOU, of all people, fell for that garbage about "rebel, rebel, REEEEEEEEEEEBEEEEEEEL!"?
HELL NO (!), I have never smoke a joint in my life; but then, neither have I ever snorted cocaine, dropped a Quaalude, shot up with heroin, dropped acid, done speed, committed adultery, sniffed glue, done 'shrooms, peyote, LSD, X, Meth, or even binge drink/drink to get drunk. And NO (!) none of that is a "good" thing and I missed NOTHING, by NOT doing any of that self destructive, STUPID stuff!
Shame on YOU, for even saying that guff.
No, there was a segment of society, who were VERY stupid and gullible, who were USED by the stinking Commies. They were also MEDIA driven and influenced to "demonstrate"; as you want to PC label their actions an d horrible behavior.
And now, I'll tell YOU something, which it appears you don't know about. When I was home on vacation, watching the news with my mother, some "peaceful" protesting South Koreans came on the screen. Now, this was before the Civil Rights Movement hit the news and very much earlier than the MORONIC , KGB driven and funded anti-Nam War riots ever took place. I said to her, gee, we should do that. To which she replied, Americans DON'T do such things.
Now, my mother was a news/history/politics junkie. She was a walking, talking encyclopedia, when it came to that stuff. So, I'll take HER word for that, over yours, any day. :-)
BTW, I left out the anti-nuke demonstrations ( all of those run, paid for, and participated in my stinking Commies, Read Diaper Babies, and fellow travelers !), the demonstrations for Sacco and Vanzetti ( more stinking Marxists and anarchists as well, who WERE guilty! ), the demonstrations FOR the Rosenbergs and against the government, and those engaged in by the WOBBLIES. You wanna discuss those? :-)
And, FWIW, not only did I read about the call for demonstrators to come to the Sheeps' Meadow, in Central Park, to be TRAINED in "street warfare", prior to the Dem Convention in Chicago, but I saw it and heard it, with mine own eyes and ears, quite by accident, actually, so know, KNOW, beyond a reasonable doubt, that it was NOT a "spontaneous" action; as so many people still claim it was.
"Well meaning participants", my Aunt Fanny!