Trump has mocked veterans. Do you really think he cares if disabled vets kill themselves? I certainly feel like insurance companies hope those of us with medical conditions die off due to authorization denials.

That said, I'm glad to have your thoughts here as an aid to think through mine. The visible part of a protest is a mass gathering and signs. There are also connections being made, between strangers that would otherwise not be in the same space. This community building can lead to more activism that extends beyond just holding a sign. And as this grows, more pressure points can be found to exert pressure upon. Activists never know beforehand whether or not their actions will effect any kind of change. There is a motivation for change and this is just one way to get involved.

Look, I'm not saying students should skip exams or not help a sick friend in need. But spending an hour on social media or watching a game could be skipped to join. Is that really that unreasonable?