Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

OrlandoDem2

(2,662 posts)
Sun Mar 23, 2025, 04:02 PM Mar 23

We need to make history with the Hands Off Rally and we really can!

Below is an article from 2019 about peaceful protests. Empirical studies show they work, especially if they reach 3.5% of the population.

We have a rally coming on April 5 and we need to make history. If you want some inspiration please read this. There is also a Ted Talk regarding this topic and the research, Erica Chenoweth.

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

2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
We need to make history with the Hands Off Rally and we really can! (Original Post) OrlandoDem2 Mar 23 OP
Here's an interactive map to your closest Nationwide April 5 event... Think. Again. Mar 23 #1
Info about event, how to sign up: Amaryllis Mar 24 #2

Amaryllis

(10,193 posts)
2. Info about event, how to sign up:
Mon Mar 24, 2025, 12:35 AM
Mar 24

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

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Activist Headquarters»We need to make history w...