The resistance against Trump and his administration is taking a bold and confrontational turn, and it's a powerful movement that deserves our attention.
In the past few weeks, we've witnessed the tragic deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, both at the hands of federal agents. These incidents have sparked widespread protests across the United States, with people taking to the streets to voice their dissent against Trump's ultra-violent immigration policies.
Minneapolis, in particular, has become a hub of sustained protest activity. On January 23rd, the city witnessed a general strike, with tens of thousands of Minnesotans participating in an economic blackout and marching in solidarity. This momentum spread across the country, with solidarity protests, strikes, and marches taking place in various states, including the Free America Walkout, which saw over 900 local actions nationwide.
As part of an ongoing project studying protest movements in America, I've been closely observing this new wave of resistance, which I've termed Resistance 2.0. The project aims to understand the participants, their motivations, and the tactics employed to challenge the second Trump administration and its policies.
Resistance to the first Trump administration was largely focused on channeling street protests into political action at the ballot box. Activists dedicated their efforts to bringing about social change through formal political means, such as lobbying, legal rallies, and voting. And it worked; the 2018 midterm elections saw a Democratic majority return to the House of Representatives, and Joe Biden was elected as the 46th President of the United States in 2020, with record-breaking voter turnout.
However, this time around, the resistance is taking a different path. While we've seen some of the largest protests in US history during the first year of the second Trump administration, Resistance 2.0 has become more confrontational. Acts of nonviolent civil disobedience, such as street blockades, recording federal agents, and participating in general strikes and walkouts, have become increasingly common.
Working with the organizers of the Free America Walkout, my team and I surveyed a significant portion of the participants, gathering insights from 7,452 individuals across the US. The data clearly indicates that Resistance 2.0 will continue to escalate in its confrontational nature.
An overwhelming majority of survey respondents (99%) expressed support for nonviolent civil disobedience, including sit-ins and blockades. When asked about their willingness to engage in more confrontational actions against the Trump administration and its policies, the results were striking: 79% agreed that they support social movements taking a more assertive approach, and 65% stated they would personally participate in such actions if given the chance.
Criticism of this shift towards more confrontational tactics has come from various political spectrums, including mainstream Democrats. However, this expansion of tactics, known as the 'repertoire of contention' in social movement studies, has been a hallmark of numerous successful movements in US history.
Take, for instance, the American movement for women's suffrage in the early 1900s. As the movement realized that politeness wasn't always effective, they began occupying public spaces and even burning effigies of President Woodrow Wilson. This bold approach ultimately led to women earning the right to vote in 1920.
Similarly, the civil rights movement shifted its strategy when it became clear that legal and political systems weren't providing the necessary access to power for change. Activists employed more disruptive tactics, such as sit-ins and non-permitted marches, and faced violent responses from law enforcement and counter-movements. Despite the risks, civil rights activists continued to organize in segregated areas, knowing that their actions would provoke a brutal response. Many were arrested, and some even lost their lives, but their sacrifices helped bring about significant progress, with the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act becoming law in 1964 and 1965, respectively.
In recent weeks, we've seen a disturbing pattern of violence against peaceful protesters in Minneapolis, reminiscent of the civil rights movement. While these acts of violence are tragic, they also generate public attention and support for the protesters, potentially expanding the movement's reach. Tragic events can serve as catalysts for growth and evolution within the broader resistance.
What gives me hope is the expansion of tactics within Resistance 2.0. Americans are finding their voices and their power to stand up against the rise of autocracy. Activists are building solidarity with their communities, and there's a growing understanding of the various ways citizens can push back against government violence and anti-democratic suppression. This evolution in thinking and action is a step towards preserving our democracy.
This moment of resistance against the Trump regime presents a unique opportunity for social change. It requires each of us to participate in actions for justice and equity, even if it takes us out of our comfort zones. Neither a charismatic leader nor the Democratic party can bring about the change we need alone; it's up to us, the people, to work together and save ourselves and our nation.
