Even if it just means people coming together and
>forming links that allow them to better organize AFTER the
>protest is over. Or just to be heartened that there are like
>minded people and that we all don't live in the world you
>imagine we do.

Protests are often the spark that lead to action.
People in the community gathering force hands of local leaders.
That pressure goes up.

And ALL of this:

>There will never be a time when coming together in solidarity
>in the streets can be said to be completely ineffective. It's
>literally been a crucial mechanism for change- for better or
>worse- since the beginning of modern society and will be until
>we don't have streets or people.

Props.