Analysis of Diverse Activism Methods Driving US Social and Political Change

More than 8 million people participated in approximately 3,300 'No Kings' protests across the United States on a recent Saturday. These demonstrations expressed opposition to a war in Iran, the presence of immigration agents in communities, and perceived authoritarianism. Organizers described this as a record number of protests in a single day in US history.

Movement scholars indicate that social change requires sustained activism at both local and national levels, utilizing various methods beyond individual protests.

Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of the Indivisible Project and co-founder of the 'No Kings' movement, stated that 'No Kings' aims to unite a cross-movement push against authoritarianism through diverse approaches.

Diverse Forms of Activism

Americans have historically engaged in a wide array of actions to advocate for change, forming a rich tradition of civic engagement:

Historically, protests have included actions by enslaved people against bondage, Indigenous occupations (such as Alcatraz and Mount Rushmore), and pivotal civil rights marches. Recent examples include the March for Our Lives (2018) advocating for gun control, the Black Lives Matter protests (2020), and the recent 'No Kings' demonstrations. Data from the Crowd Counting Consortium indicates a higher number of street protesters in 2025 compared to 2017.

These gatherings aim to raise awareness and support for various causes. Notable historical examples include the 1913 Women's Suffrage Parade. More recently, the 2017 Women's March addressed misogyny and women's rights, and is credited with contributing to the #MeToo movement and increased female participation in the 2018 midterm elections.

A general strike involves a significant portion of a workforce stopping work to achieve economic or social change. The first general strike in North America occurred in Philadelphia in 1835, leading to a 10-hour workday. More recently, a call for a national general strike took place in Minneapolis in January after federal immigration agents were involved in incidents resulting in deaths and arrests, with thousands participating and businesses closing.

Boycotts involve refusing to purchase products or services to exert pressure for change. Historically, 'Don't Buy Where You Can't Work' campaigns in the 1930s advocated for Black employment. Divestments involve withdrawing investments. UC Berkeley's 1986 decision to divest from companies with ties to South Africa followed student activism against apartheid. In 2025, a boycott of Target after changes to its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts was cited by the company as a reason for reduced sales.

This involves volunteer networks providing essential resources like food, housing, and childcare to communities in need. Examples include LGBTQ+ groups forming care networks during the HIV/Aids crisis, local organizations aiding low-income families during the COVID-19 pandemic, and networks supporting immigrant families during federal immigration operations in Minneapolis.

Walkouts involve students or employees leaving schools or workplaces en masse to express disapproval. The 1968 East Los Angeles Walkouts protested educational disparities for Mexican American students. More recent examples include student walkouts against the presence of immigration agents.

This method involves activists and leaders educating participants about causes through lectures, debates, and discussions to raise awareness and encourage action. Teach-ins gained popularity during the Vietnam War, with the first at the University of Michigan in 1965. In 2024, teach-ins became prevalent on US college campuses to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Organizers of 'No Kings' state that the movement's success depends on attendees' continued engagement in local organizing efforts, including 'know-your-rights' trainings and mutual aid activities. The various forms of activism are viewed as interconnected components of a broader tapestry of defiance.