Anti-Trump Movement: The 3.5% Threshold and the Call for Sustained Action
The “No Kings” rallies, organized by groups like Indivisible, saw an estimated seven million people participating nationwide, making it a record-breaking single-day protest. This movement’s success hinges on a localized approach, encouraging participation in communities rather than centralized events, which is reflected in the Harvard Kennedy School research indicating a rise in anti-Trump protests, particularly in traditionally conservative areas. A key factor for success, according to Erica Chenoweth’s research, includes nonviolent tactics, appealing to new demographics, and achieving momentum, but most importantly, a minimum of 3.5% of the population must participate. With the movement’s rapid growth in recent months, reaching this critical threshold of nearly 12 million protesters may be within reach.
John Q. Hosedrinker