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OrlandoDem2

(3,234 posts)
Sun Mar 23, 2025, 12:36 PM Mar 2025

Please make the April 5 protests a success with your presence. 3.5% of the population is all we need!

The title of the OP is my linkage to the article below. If we are wondering how to make change, studies show that peaceful protest works! Let’s put fear into the heart of Trump, Musk, and the GOP. If you can make it to DC then great! If you can’t, then find a local protest and please attend if you can.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190513-it-only-takes-35-of-people-to-change-the-world

The '3.5% rule': How a small minority can change the world

Nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts – and those engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change.
In 1986, millions of Filipinos took to the streets of Manila in peaceful protest and prayer in the People Power movement. The Marcos regime folded on the fourth day.

In 2003, the people of Georgia ousted Eduard Shevardnadze through the bloodless Rose Revolution, in which protestors stormed the parliament building holding the flowers in their hands. While in 2019, the presidents of Sudan and Algeria both announced they would step aside after decades in office, thanks to peaceful campaigns of resistance.

In each case, civil resistance by ordinary members of the public trumped the political elite to achieve radical change.

There are, of course, many ethical reasons to use nonviolent strategies. But compelling research by Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist at Harvard University, confirms that civil disobedience is not only the moral choice; it is also the most powerful way of shaping world politics – by a long way.

Looking at hundreds of campaigns over the last century, Chenoweth found that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to achieve their goals as violent campaigns. And although the exact dynamics will depend on many factors, she has shown it takes around 3.5% of the population actively participating in the protests to ensure serious political change.

Chenoweth’s influence can be seen in the recent Extinction Rebellion protests, whose founders say they have been directly inspired by her findings. So just how did she come to these conclusions?

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Please make the April 5 protests a success with your presence. 3.5% of the population is all we need! (Original Post) OrlandoDem2 Mar 2025 OP
Pls xpost to activist hq & the way forward forums. SheltieLover Mar 2025 #1
Taking the article over now. Thank you! OrlandoDem2 Mar 2025 #17
K&R Think. Again. Mar 2025 #2
We're going! pandr32 Mar 2025 #3
I'm there for good trouble! EarthFirst Mar 2025 #4
Based on US population, that's about 12 million people. patphil Mar 2025 #5
If not this protest, then others down the road. Don't be disappointed if you have to build; it will be easier later. .nt Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2025 #14
Can't make it to DC bamagal62 Mar 2025 #6
I'm joining my Indivisible group in suburban Portland. calimary Mar 2025 #18
Thanks for posting. jalan48 Mar 2025 #7
We will need about 12 million people swong19104 Mar 2025 #8
I'm going with my walker. CareyOn Mar 2025 #9
Power to you. Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2025 #13
K & R SunSeeker Mar 2025 #10
Even if April 5 doesn't hit some number target, it will pave a big road to more protests that will hit targets Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2025 #11
Count on it. Passages Mar 2025 #12
Two weeks to go! calimary Mar 2025 #15
This needs to be historic. Please share with family, friends, colleagues. Get the word out. OrlandoDem2 Mar 2025 #16
How do I find out if my small city is having an event? Ilsa Mar 2025 #19
Here: Amaryllis Mar 2025 #21
You need to provide the info about the event and how they sign up and how they find where the events are in their area! Amaryllis Mar 2025 #20

patphil

(9,067 posts)
5. Based on US population, that's about 12 million people.
Sun Mar 23, 2025, 01:46 PM
Mar 2025

It's a doable number for a nationwide protest.

Bernardo de La Paz

(60,320 posts)
14. If not this protest, then others down the road. Don't be disappointed if you have to build; it will be easier later. .nt
Sun Mar 23, 2025, 03:34 PM
Mar 2025

calimary

(90,017 posts)
18. I'm joining my Indivisible group in suburban Portland.
Sun Mar 23, 2025, 09:56 PM
Mar 2025

We’re out there on the sidewalk at a very busy intersection every Friday. I’ve missed the last two weeks to stay inside out of the rain but by Jove I’ll be there on April 5th! Fuck it! Rain OR shine!

CareyOn

(91 posts)
9. I'm going with my walker.
Sun Mar 23, 2025, 03:16 PM
Mar 2025

I just have to decide which one to attend. There are several around Portland and I want to go
where the protest will be seen by average working Americans; where many people drive by.

Bernardo de La Paz

(60,320 posts)
13. Power to you.
Sun Mar 23, 2025, 03:32 PM
Mar 2025

Even if a person less capable than you just goes and sits there (or any protest) on the sidelines, they count! You count! Make yourself count by going. And by participating in other kinds of mass action.

Cheers to you Carey.

Bernardo de La Paz

(60,320 posts)
11. Even if April 5 doesn't hit some number target, it will pave a big road to more protests that will hit targets
Sun Mar 23, 2025, 03:30 PM
Mar 2025

Keep building protests and they will move the needle. They will make change.

As conditions in the US deteriorate, as they will since tRump pressed Start on multiple simultaneous disruptions, it will become easier to get people out for protests and other mass actions.

April 5 is a necessary step. It is possible it will do the trick, though unlikely. One of these mass actions will be the tipping point and we can't know until after. So it is necessary to keep building.

calimary

(90,017 posts)
15. Two weeks to go!
Sun Mar 23, 2025, 03:39 PM
Mar 2025

Indivisible Clackamas will be on it!

We’ll have our usual Friday afternoon protest on our favorite corner.

OrlandoDem2

(3,234 posts)
16. This needs to be historic. Please share with family, friends, colleagues. Get the word out.
Sun Mar 23, 2025, 03:57 PM
Mar 2025

I can’t say that enough. We must make history.

Ilsa

(64,366 posts)
19. How do I find out if my small city is having an event?
Sun Mar 23, 2025, 10:45 PM
Mar 2025

I'd rather not drive all the way into Atlanta. Is there a website listing events by location?

Amaryllis

(11,291 posts)
21. Here:
Mon Mar 24, 2025, 12:29 AM
Mar 2025

Hands Off! NATIONWIDE Mass mobilization rally/protest April 5. Organized by Indivisible and many other activist groups.
https://handsoff2025.com/about

Amaryllis

(11,291 posts)
20. You need to provide the info about the event and how they sign up and how they find where the events are in their area!
Mon Mar 24, 2025, 12:29 AM
Mar 2025

Hands Off! NATIONWIDE Mass mobilization rally/protest April 5. Organized by Indivisible and many other activist groups.

https://handsoff2025.com/about

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