Building on the Past

There's a lot to learn from previous protest movements. But resistance to this administration will be uniquely our own.

In these early days of resistance to the horrors and chaos of the second Trump administration, it’s easy to become discouraged. The desire for somebody somewhere to do something is overwhelming.

If past is prologue, we are all that somebody. Although this era in the United States is unique, this is hardly the first situation deserving of mass protest. In fact, protest has been a vital part of keeping our democracy healthy and, despite what some in the current administration are saying, it’s legal.

Effective protests against the rise of fascism will require an “all hands on deck” approach. What we’re fighting against is unprecedented in the United States, so we need an unprecedented response.

If we look at some of the protest movements of our own history, we can glean some valuable lessons:

• It takes time. Protest movements of the past didn’t effectuate change overnight. Many years — sometimes even decades — passed before we experienced results:

  • The first recorded gathering for women’s…