Those people are not pathetic; they're brave (unless they're just college kids skipping a class they don't like
).
Would you have the balls to stand out there with 5 other people and protest in a public square? I can answer that question right now: I wouldn't unless it was something egregious (family member wrongly locked up or company dumping toxins in water supply in my area or something like that).
The problem is simply one of organization and planning. THAT part is pathetic in this particular case. Is that San Antonio or something?