US Protests Surge Since Trump's Return to Power
Protest activity in the United States has experienced an unprecedented surge since Donald Trump's reinauguration last year, with over 10,700 demonstrations taking place across the country – a staggering 133% increase from the same point in his first term. According to data from the Crowd Counting Consortium, an open-source project collaboration between Harvard University's Kennedy School and the University of Connecticut, protests have become more widespread, involving all 50 states and even rural areas where Trump voted.
The diversity of locations highlights a shift away from traditional protest hotspots like major cities or Washington D.C. Instead, activists are mobilizing in smaller towns and red districts, shattering stereotypes about the demographics of protesters. Erica Chenoweth, a Harvard Kennedy School political scientist, attributes this trend to "a very historic time" where people are taking collective action to express their resistance.
Since Trump's return, protests have tackled a wide range of issues, from healthcare for trans youth to anti-Israel support and Tesla-related actions against Elon Musk's federal dismantling efforts. In the summer, protests erupted over ICE raids in cities nationwide, with coalitions of groups quickly organizing weekend-long actions featuring over 1,000 simultaneous protests.
Chenoweth notes that this trend signals a significant shift in public opinion, suggesting an "inflection point" where protesters' voices are gaining traction. While no government has ever overcome a nonviolent movement involving at least 3.5% of its population – according to Chenoweth's research on over 300 protests from 1900-2006 – she views the current surge as more of an inflection point than a tipping point.
What matters most, however, is the sense of hope and agency that growing protest movements are instilling in people. Chenoweth emphasizes that this feeling can be transformative for individuals who previously felt powerless, making it essential to internalize the idea that collective action can effect change.
Protest activity in the United States has experienced an unprecedented surge since Donald Trump's reinauguration last year, with over 10,700 demonstrations taking place across the country – a staggering 133% increase from the same point in his first term. According to data from the Crowd Counting Consortium, an open-source project collaboration between Harvard University's Kennedy School and the University of Connecticut, protests have become more widespread, involving all 50 states and even rural areas where Trump voted.
The diversity of locations highlights a shift away from traditional protest hotspots like major cities or Washington D.C. Instead, activists are mobilizing in smaller towns and red districts, shattering stereotypes about the demographics of protesters. Erica Chenoweth, a Harvard Kennedy School political scientist, attributes this trend to "a very historic time" where people are taking collective action to express their resistance.
Since Trump's return, protests have tackled a wide range of issues, from healthcare for trans youth to anti-Israel support and Tesla-related actions against Elon Musk's federal dismantling efforts. In the summer, protests erupted over ICE raids in cities nationwide, with coalitions of groups quickly organizing weekend-long actions featuring over 1,000 simultaneous protests.
Chenoweth notes that this trend signals a significant shift in public opinion, suggesting an "inflection point" where protesters' voices are gaining traction. While no government has ever overcome a nonviolent movement involving at least 3.5% of its population – according to Chenoweth's research on over 300 protests from 1900-2006 – she views the current surge as more of an inflection point than a tipping point.
What matters most, however, is the sense of hope and agency that growing protest movements are instilling in people. Chenoweth emphasizes that this feeling can be transformative for individuals who previously felt powerless, making it essential to internalize the idea that collective action can effect change.
I mean, have you seen these stats? 133% increase in protests since Trump's return is crazy! 
It's like, people are finally standing up and speaking out against all this nonsense. I'm not surprised though, given the state of politics right now 
. And did you know that protests are happening in ALL 50 states? 
That's what I call a movement! 
And the issues being tackled? Healthcare for trans youth, anti-Israel support, Tesla-related actions... it's like, people are not afraid to speak up anymore 
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That's what I call inspiring! And the fact that protests are becoming more widespread and coordinated... it's like, we're on the cusp of something big! 
That's what I want to see more of! 
. I've been following this stuff and its wild to see all these different causes coming together - healthcare for trans youth, Tesla vs Musk, ICE raids... it feels like everyone's got something to say 
. But on a positive note, Erica Chenoweth makes some great points about how collective action can be super powerful 
. Trump's return to power is bringing out some strong emotions, but at the same time, I'm concerned that we're not necessarily pushing for concrete policy changes 
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. We just need to make sure that our anger and frustration aren't getting channeled into some really negative or divisive places 
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And can we talk about the diversity of locations? It's not just city folks gettin all the attention anymore. We're seein people from all walks of life comin together to fight 4 a common cause 
. This sense of hope & agency is literally the best thing I've seen in ages - it's like, we can actually make a difference now!!!
can we break down some of these stats and numbers into smaller chunks? Like, what's 133% increase mean exactly? And why are protests taking place in all 50 states now? Is it just random or is there something deeper at play?
she seems like a super interesting person. Can we explore her ideas more and what makes this surge different from previous protests?
I mean, 10,700 demos in one year? That's wild! 
But are we just having a massive social media stir vs actual tangible change? 
We've been having protests for decades, and people have still managed to make change happen. Is this really that different? 
. its all about having a sense of hope and agency, you know? feeling like your voice can make a difference 
. lets keep spreading love, kindness & positivity 
. I think it's super cool that activists are tackling such a wide range of issues, from healthcare for trans youth to anti-Israel support – it shows that the movement is really diverse and inclusive 
we gotta recognize that people are not just protesting against trump but also for their own voices to be heard, and it's beautiful 
and we have the power to bring about change 
!
. And what's with all these Tesla-related protests? Elon Musk's Twitter rants aren't exactly news 
. I'm not saying change isn't needed, but let's focus on finding solutions that don't involve chaos and disorder 
, and honestly, I get why. But what I think is really cool about these protests is how they're not just focused on one specific issue – they're tackling everything from healthcare for trans youth (
. Plus, it's awesome to see so many different groups coming together to support each other (