Veera Korhonen
Research expert covering United States data for society
Activism in the United States - statistics & facts
Activism, the act of campaigning for change, whether social, political, economic, corporate, or environmental, has shaped American society from the start. Many of the most significant moments in the history of the United States are attributed to activism, from the abolition of slavery to achieving women’s right to vote. In modern times, such movements still significantly shape the U.S. landscape, with over 6,400 protests and riots taking place nationwide between January 2023 and August 2024 – the majority of which were pro-Palestine or anti-Israel demonstrations in response to the ongoing war in Gaza. Many of these protests have taken place on college campuses, as student activists set up rallies, sit-ins, fasts, and encampments in opposition of their school having any affiliation with Israel. Widespread activist movements in this day and age also tend to yield results; at several well-known U.S. universities, including Brown University and Northwestern University, campus protesters agreed to clear their encampments in exchange for their school severing ties with companies linked to Israel.
These perceptions may differ based on political beliefs, as Democrats are more likely to deem drastic protest actions, such as occupying public spaces, burning an American flag, and defacing property, to be acceptable compared to Republicans. Conversely, more Republicans feel that college administrators have not been harsh enough when responding to protests on campus. According to a 2024 study, even U.S. employers remain hesitant to hire recent college graduates who participated in pro-Palestine protests, reasoning that these candidates are too confrontational, too political, and could cause discomfort among their peers. However, findings also revealed that some employers felt more inclined to hire pro-Palestine protesters as they are willing to speak up, have strong values, and they share their political views, further indicating that public opinion of protesters is contingent upon politics in the United States.
According to the literature, such social movements which advocate for groups perceived as vulnerable by a significant portion of the population tend to be the most successful. Additionally, some causes may receive more support from individuals who share certain characteristics, such as age, gender, race, income level, education, location, and personal beliefs. For example, Americans who identify as Black or as Democrats are more likely to support the BLM movement compared to other demographics. Studies also show that younger Americans support more social, environmental, and human rights causes in general compared to older generations, with over half of Generation Z showing a strong interest in racial and gender equity, LGBTQ+ rights, climate change, gun control, and access to healthcare and education as of 2023.
Moreover, a sizeable share of Generation Alpha, the current youngest generation, has already cited the importance of reducing gun violence, solving food insecurity, and protecting air, water, and wildlife in the U.S., even though its oldest members are still only adolescents. Global data further depicts that Gen Alphas are also more likely to buy organic or responsibly sourced goods in order to lead a more sustainable life. Evidently, as younger Americans are coming of age at a time of increasing political polarization, ongoing systemic inequalities, and escalating effects of climate change, they are actively advocating for their own future more than ever before.
Student protests: powerful or problematic?
Although activists are celebrated at the end of a revolution, they are also often met with resistance from the onset of their campaign, particularly when using extreme acts of civil disobedience to further their cause. Despite the success of pro-Palestine protesters’ camping out on college campuses, most Americans still considered establishing encampments to be an unacceptable protest action for college students as of 2024. In comparison, creating a petition, holding a sign, and marching for long distances were seen as the most acceptable actions to conduct on campus according to the American public. Consequently, some Americans still think that these student activists have been inciting violence, even though the majority of pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been classified as peaceful protests.These perceptions may differ based on political beliefs, as Democrats are more likely to deem drastic protest actions, such as occupying public spaces, burning an American flag, and defacing property, to be acceptable compared to Republicans. Conversely, more Republicans feel that college administrators have not been harsh enough when responding to protests on campus. According to a 2024 study, even U.S. employers remain hesitant to hire recent college graduates who participated in pro-Palestine protests, reasoning that these candidates are too confrontational, too political, and could cause discomfort among their peers. However, findings also revealed that some employers felt more inclined to hire pro-Palestine protesters as they are willing to speak up, have strong values, and they share their political views, further indicating that public opinion of protesters is contingent upon politics in the United States.
Why are some movements more successful than others?
Awareness towards activist movements typically arises as a result of large events, laws, or other disruptions that lead to public outrage. One of the most widely supported campaigns in recent years, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, was sparked by the unnecessary killing of a Black man, George Floyd, by Minneapolis police officers in May 2020. In midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, activists defied lockdown measures and flooded the streets to protest police brutality against Black communities, causing an uprising of demonstrations, riots, and media frenzy nationwide and across the globe. After mounting public pressure, the officers involved in the death of George Floyd were ultimately discharged from their careers and convicted of murder charges.According to the literature, such social movements which advocate for groups perceived as vulnerable by a significant portion of the population tend to be the most successful. Additionally, some causes may receive more support from individuals who share certain characteristics, such as age, gender, race, income level, education, location, and personal beliefs. For example, Americans who identify as Black or as Democrats are more likely to support the BLM movement compared to other demographics. Studies also show that younger Americans support more social, environmental, and human rights causes in general compared to older generations, with over half of Generation Z showing a strong interest in racial and gender equity, LGBTQ+ rights, climate change, gun control, and access to healthcare and education as of 2023.
Moreover, a sizeable share of Generation Alpha, the current youngest generation, has already cited the importance of reducing gun violence, solving food insecurity, and protecting air, water, and wildlife in the U.S., even though its oldest members are still only adolescents. Global data further depicts that Gen Alphas are also more likely to buy organic or responsibly sourced goods in order to lead a more sustainable life. Evidently, as younger Americans are coming of age at a time of increasing political polarization, ongoing systemic inequalities, and escalating effects of climate change, they are actively advocating for their own future more than ever before.
