I attended my first political march in 2017, when I was just nine years old. At the Women’s March in San Jose, I joined others protesting the Trump Administration and advocating for women’s rights. My little arms ached as I held a sign that read, “Welcome immigrants and refugees,” but I felt proud to stand for something larger than myself. Since that day, I’ve attended many demonstrations—all of them peaceful and uplifting, rather than degrading, violent, or negative.
Today, protests and marches are often depicted by the media as being reckless and violent. Words like “riot” and “disturbance” are tossed around constantly, when an overwhelming percentage of the protests carried out in cities around the country have been fully nonviolent. Many see the images of brutal police force—tear gas, rubber bullets, and riot shields—and are scared away from going out in their communities and advocating for their beliefs.
My recent experiences at local protests show just how energizing and hopeful these gatherings can be, as opposed to the negative portrayal by the media. I went to the No Kings protest on June 14 in San Jose. The protest, held on President Trump’s 79th birthday, was part of a nationwide movement opposing what organizers called authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of our democracy. I had an absolutely amazing experience. The night before, I made signs for my mom and myself. The day of, we parked about a half mile away from the meeting point. We walked up to the meeting point on the lawn and heard music emanating from the speakers. It was an extremely high-energy, exciting atmosphere. We listened to speeches from the organizers—the messages were strictly positive and uplifting, and talked about our ideal future for our country. I then started walking alongside around 12,000 fellow protesters. We chanted, marched, danced, and sang.
Beyond the atmosphere, one of the most powerful parts of a protest is the diversity of perspectives represented. I believe that protests are one of the best places to have the most inspiring conversations. It’s a common misconception that all protesters share the same viewpoints. On the contrary, I talked to several people that day, and none of us held the same perspective. The one thread we all shared is our deep love for our country and our willingness to support the ideals upon which we were founded.
The youth have always been at the forefront of movements advocating for change. During the Civil Rights Movement, students at the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins peacefully challenged segregated lunch counters without resorting to violence. Similarly, the Students for a Democratic Society organized massive demonstrations against the Vietnam War in the 60s, bringing attention to the crises of the era. Today, however, many young people hold strong beliefs but aren’t acting on them. Surveys show that only about 45% of eligible young voters participate in elections, and many retreat into social media instead of engaging in civic life. We need more young people out there, making their voices heard and shaping the future we all want to see.
History and research both confirm that peaceful protest is far more effective than violence. If you show up to a protest and it turns violent, leave. It’s not worth it. According to Teachers College at Columbia University, violent protest movements have a shaky success rate of 26%, while peaceful protest movements throughout history have succeeded 53% of the time, even if they may take longer. This means peaceful movements—the kind most students are likely to encounter—are not only safer but more likely to achieve real change. Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist, explains the 3.5% rule: when 3.5% of the population becomes involved in a nonviolent, peaceful protest movement, the goal is accomplished. The takeaway is clear: never use violence to promote your message. Don’t validate the negative narrative.
For those inspired to get involved, opportunities to participate are closer than you might think. If you’re interested, there is a No Kings Protest Part II on October 18. Showing up matters, and peaceful civic engagement is one of the most powerful tools we have.
