When I hear this question, my answer is: Imagine the world without the protests. Imagine if nobody protested Trump's actions, or Putin's. Imagine if something horrible happened and nobody responded, they just went about their days. Imagine the terrible, demoralizing, crushing silence.
Protests are a public service message that what is happening is not ok with your neighbors; that it matters to them. That's why I encourage people to show up, even if it seems pointless; each additional body matters: 10 people is still better than none; 100 better than 10; 1,000 better than 100, etc. Silence = consent.
Oh yes, imagine the silence of people peacefully talking with each other and forming their own opinions, and come election time change the government. Having opinions without being told by the opinions makers, crushing.
Imagine the property that wasn't destroyed, the lives that weren't lost, the sides that didn't become more and more polarised.
Protests are a public service message that what is happening is not ok with your neighbors; that it matters to them. That's why I encourage people to show up, even if it seems pointless; each additional body matters: 10 people is still better than none; 100 better than 10; 1,000 better than 100, etc. Silence = consent.