Stepped right on some ml land mines with this one. For what it’s worth, I’ll back you up a bit. I don’t think all actions have strict utilitarian needs. There is a mountain of soft value to these large scale actions that go missing when we focus only on concrete progress.

If nothing else, these are obvious community building and networking opportunities. The US is starved of these opportunities, and rather than turning our noses up, should be engaged with. Pissing and moaning about structure loses the forest for the trees.

We don’t have examples of these movements being effective without targeted and concrete goals, but we also forget all examples of the moments in between these landmarks. It’s important to develop this momentum into structural progress, rather than upset that the average person is more willing to participate in less-targeted action. Progress doesn’t have prescribed structure, despite what many suggest. Take wins where you can and keep working.

There’s no subtext. This man has no obligation to this law, so “How dare this person follow the law. ;(” isn’t relevant. This man is not following a law, he is simply going about his day. He is volunteering, and not compelled. There is no sanctity of law at play here.

But, to play ball, yes. If a person who would otherwise receive punishment were to do this, I would take that into account. That is not the case here.

Let’s just ignore whether there’s any moral or ethical arguments about legal compliance: What law is this man complying with? This is not a law that governs him. He is volunteering, and not compelled. There is no sanctity of law at play here.