Yes. Protesting is meant to drive a point, and inconveniencing people makes them think about the topic,
No, it pisses them off and makes them against your cause, and in many cases results in violence and death. Nobody has a right to block a person from freely moving on public roads or streets. Even union picket lines are required by law to allow others to pass through if they wish to, otherwise the people striking are violating the law.
The sheer idiocy of a bunch raving lunatics surrounding people's cars may only cause that driver sufficient fear to feel the need to act in their own defense and then possibly use their car as a defensive weapon in order to escape. Other drivers may simply just react in anger, and that is another possibility after these protestors are breaching the public peace.
Protesting is a first amendment right, but it isn't without limits. Only a person with entitled peronality of a two year old would presume it okay to block another citizen lawfully trying to go from point A to point B.
attracts media attention and shows the willingness of the protestors to go to jail for their position.
or to the hospital, or to the morgue. Something they must be willing to accept as well... for their "cause", right?
Civil disobedience is not a Constitutionally protected right.
Nothing wrong with civil disobedience when it may be directed at the government, as long as it is non violent. However, when using FORCE, fear, and intimidation against other citizens, like blocking the public roads, I suggest that that is not non-violent. Force and fear, especially in these instances where a driver cannot turn out, or turn around, is extremely out of bounds.
The drivers? That's clearly assault (minus some potential defense claims).
I say it is not. It is not because on that one way road without a turn out, it left the drivers without any option to avoid the protestors, basically illegally holding those drivers captive. Some which may have medical conditions, others who may need to get someplace to care for others, some maybe even with an emergency.
What I saw were some people using reasonable force in order to free themselves and others from an unlawful detainment by the protestors.