Because this is the week of No Kings 3, it seems appropriate to share thoughts on if, how, and why protests are effective for bringing about change.
Research has been applied to these questions over the years. A couple of recent pieces on the topic include this Time article at the time of No Kings 2, and this more recent article from San Francisco News that outlines the topic.
Lenny Dee of Portland also shares this March 18 Substack — “Do Protests Matter?” by Micah L. Sifry — summed up as “a stab at how we know that mass protests matter.”
Read how some Oregon Indivisibles give witness to change at the grass roots level and what makes this particular activity “work”…
Jenny Pompilio, MD, MPH
Indivisible Cedar Mill / Portland
I have gone to every protest in downtown Portland since Hands Off last spring. Each one has gotten bigger while staying peaceful, fun and inspiring. Democracy in action is an awesome thing to behold. My 19-year-old son has never expressed interest in attending a protest, but he expressed interest in going with me Saturday. That gives me hope!
Justin Lloyd Ludwig
Florence Indivisible, City Club of Florence, Florence Young Professionals, Florence ORganizes / Florence
I find that the work of organizing protests like No Kings Day 3 is effective not only for its message of national unity, but also for the local impact it has on building community among residents who may otherwise feel isolated or disheartened during these times.
Being in community can itself be an act of resistance, and No Kings Day 3 is one that brings so many members of the community together. The same can be said for the joyful aspects of the day, including, yes, the humorous costumes! These colorful acts of resistance uplift our spirits, and also make it more difficult for outside groups to make false arguments about our intentions.
The cumulative effect these protests have on local organizing is one that sustains us for the long term, and may even inspire new voices. It’s not just a spectacle quickly forgotten.
When I moved to my new home in Oregon, No Kings Day 2 was one the first public events I participated in. What I saw showed me a vibrant community that has a lot of joy, and humor, even when the world seems to be headed in the wrong direction. It inspired me to get involved in local events and find hope; not just be content with sitting on the couch.
In contrast, when we don’t get involved in our local community, others will write our narrative for us. When we’re silent or consumed by anger, it’s so easy for outside groups to tell a story about who we are. The more we step forward into public spaces and show people that our unifying call is one of peaceful democracy, the easier it is to spread our message and build our movement for positive change.
Peter Bergel
Salem Regional Indivisible, Indivisible One Million Rising, The PeaceWorker (Founder/Editor) / Salem
I am not a fan of the word “protest” because it implies that we approaching those in power with a whiney-sounding request. What we are really doing with a mass demonstration is demonstrating the strength of our movement. As the size of the demonstrations continues to grow, we are showing our communities, and the world, that support for democracy and no kings – and opposition to Trump’s policies – is growing.
Here in Salem, we have done regular banner drops over the freeway as well as what we call “Bullhorn Bulletins” in the downtown area. In both we use signs that say “Honk 4 No ICE.” We observe that the number of honks we receive has increased by an estimated factor of 2 since Renee Good was killed.
These demonstrations also provide entry doorways for those who want to do more than demonstrate and are looking for ways to do so. This is how resistance builds.
Shar Walbaum
Indivisible Lincoln City / Lincoln City
I think of banner drops, rallies, and Signs of Fascism actions as visibility events. They literally show people who may be anxious or ignorant what is going on with the majority of their neighbors.
This time around, I have been approached by more strangers than ever asking for information, wanting not only to attend No Kings 3, but to be involved in Indivisible Lincoln City. I think that is an effect of visibility actions.
Folks within the group are making changes. They are more willing to reach out to neighbors who have been “softly” pro-Trump or just silent and avoidant. There is also more awareness of the real pressures facing middle-aged and young people, factors that keep them from stepping out.
We are focusing specifically on the midterms, and that is helping us mobilize. That has ripple effects that affect the Dems. The local Dem org has piggy-backed on our actions for a year. I started out advocating working in coalition with them, until they tried to take credit without any work. OK. But, now they seem different. Maybe shifting toward progressive values… It will be interesting to watch whether they change, or remain dogmatic and dysfunctional.
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Photo inset: From the No Kings 2 rally in Florence OR, October 18, 2025.