It is called "controlled opposition" The more you see a group protest a situation, everyone is allowing that group to speak for them, not having to get up from the TV and air conditioning to face death head on. Nothing changes, the agenda is forged, and everyone got to support their side of the issue.

Then everyone becomes resigned to the fact that "they" lost.
And the enemy wins, because "they" controlled both sides the whole time, making us think we had a choice.