Also! Protests don't have to be huge to do most of these things! Even a small protest can help people come together and practice solidarity. Small protests can feel really empowering, especially if you are having a good time and manage your expectations.
I've never been an organizer, but I have *helped* people (with, like, sign making and that sort of thing), and planning a protest can be a really instructive way to learn how to work with other people for a goal.