Does anything ever happen because people protest?

I don't know, but it seems like a huge waste of time to stand outside holding a sign yelling at strangers who obviously don't want to listen to you. Why not like set up some kind of message board or something so people who are interested can talk to you instead of blocking traffic? Or you could run for office or volunteer to help local organizations so you could work toward making the community better. There just seems like there's so many other options besides standing in a picket line.