For nearly two years, the United States has seen large crowds gather to protest the Trump administration. Millions have marched on streets with signs and banners to protest violations of laws and human rights, which was hailed in the media as a defense of democracy. But when you peel away that thin veneer of mass action, you’re left with an inconsequential movement, because No Kings has changed nothing.

I suspect my point of view will come across as cynical, perhaps even anti-democratic to many. However, I feel nothing but apathy toward the illusion people cling to with the No Kings movement.

The spirit that originally gave momentum to No Kings protests comes from America’s own history of popular movements. People who march on streets and gather in fields today remember the images from the ’60s and ’70s of activists marching down city avenues, gathering in public squares and the iconic image of Martin Luther King Jr. speaking in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Their collective memory of this history compels them to replicate it and build their own movement to change the country for the better.

But one must stop at least for a moment and consider what has been done and what has been gained. What did change in the United States in the name of democracy, welfare, equality or justice after millions marched week after week across the country? Did protesters force any concessions from the current administration, or did they force the government to reverse a policy? Did the politicians protested against face any consequences?

The issue I have is that marching, singing and signing petitions will not make a difference in the slightest. What’s more, I don’t even think the upcoming elections will make a difference. Sure, the Democrats appear as likely to win a House majority as Republicans, which would let the party put more pressure on the Trump administration over the next two years in Congress. But will that genuinely “change” anything for the better, when we know impeachments, inquiries and indictments have all been inconsequential for the past decade?

Make no mistake, I still believe in electoralism and the democratic right to decide who rules by a fair vote, but we also can’t pretend these protests and demonstrations have done anything to curb the power of the politicians they oppose. In fact, for all we can care, even if the Democrats won the House and the Senate, it would, at best, be a speed bump the current administration could ignore and carry on its policies through other means.

This is the point where we have to take off our rose-colored glasses and look at history with clear focus. The “I Have A Dream” speech Martin Luther King Jr. made in Washington, D.C. was not the sole demonstration to end racism, and segregation did not suddenly vanish after Rosa Parks’ story was heard around the country. It took decades of organizing, boycotts, strikes, union protests and more to put direct, physical pressure on the political and economic establishment to bring change.

Whether we think of the Civil Rights activists, unions, the anti-war movement or any other big event of the last century, no movement ever “changed the system” by just singing songs and voting once every two or four years. This undeniable truth brings us to the present and forces us all to ask the age-old question: What is to be done?

Meaningful change can only come from putting pressure on the political and economic establishment. Pressure can only come from collective action, the combined powers of the workers, farmers, students — the people. The masses, as they were brought together for protests and marches, must also be brought together by unions and collectives to organize strikes and boycotts. The connections politicians have to businesses, investments and donations are, after all, an abundantly clear truth. Targeting these interests and connections will force the establishment to react, even when mere protests have not yet warranted any response.

More importantly, the sad reality of the present system must be realized. Merely voting once every four years will not be enough. Signing petitions will not be enough. So-called canvassing and town hall events will not be enough, because the current electoral system will not let voices calling for fair labor, fair income and a just society win by votes. Civil rights activists of the last century knew this well, and it is our responsibility to read their stories, see their struggles and sacrifices and take lessons for the future.

Our problems didn’t start with the Trump administration, and they will remain long after. The only thing that is permanent is the people’s demand for a fair and just life. The only way forward is action that physically affects the establishment.

Protests alone will not see the people through.

Deniz Gulay is a senior double-majoring in history and Russian. 

Views expressed in the opinions pages represent the opinions of the columnists. The only piece that represents the view of the Pipe Dream Editorial Board is the Staff Editorial.