David S. Meyer
I'm a professor of sociology and political science at the University of California, Irvine. I've been thinking, and writing about, protest politics for almost ever. This site offers comments on contemporary events, informed (I hope) by knowing something about history and about the academic study of social movements.
Tag Archives: demonstration
Immigration politics inside and outside the Capitol
The immigration rights activists returned to demonstrate outside the Capitol yesterday, as reports of a Senate compromise on an immigration reform continue to seep into media reports. Most reports put the turnout in the tens of thousands–and noted sympathy rallies … Continue reading
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Tagged Benjamin Jealous, Capitol, countermovements, demonstration, immigration, labor, legislation, Marco Rubio, NAACP, Senate
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Risk, Repression, and Response in Russia
Tens of thousands of Russians took to the streets in Moscow, calling for the ouster of President Vladimir Putin, and demanding new elections. This is just days after President Putin raised the costs of protesting by announcing fines of up … Continue reading
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Tagged bandwagon, demonstration, mobilization, Moscow, Putin, repression, Russia
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Tax day protests, 2012
Watch who takes to the streets tomorrow, the day federal taxes are due. Tax day is a predictable occasion for protest. Indeed, the Tea Party protests in April 2009 were the first visible signs of that powerful movement emerging. In … Continue reading
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Tagged American revolution, Americans for Prosperity, demonstration, founders, Herman Cain, Oakland, Occupy, Scott Walker, taxation, tea party
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Occupy at the Rose Bowl
A march looks a lot like a parade with demands. Occupy the Rose Parade will present a presence–with floats–at the 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade on Monday morning in Pasadena. The parade, patriotic and explicitly non-political, allows cause groups to … Continue reading
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Tagged culture, demonstration, institutionalization, Occupy, organization, parade, Rose Bowl, tea party, tolerance
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A Smaller Tea Party
Thursday’s Tea Party rally drew crowds described as “sparse,” with estimates clustering around 200 people. Slate‘s David Weigel says that there were four reporters for every demonstrator, and that other journalists were poaching his interviews, trying to find someone to … Continue reading
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Tagged budget, Congress, demonstration, michele bachmann, tea party
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On Wisconsin: After Defeat, Activists Pick New Arenas
When a door closes, start trying the windows. A defeat in Wisconsin has spurred a new wave of activism, and advocates have turned their attention beyond the state senate. In the United States, when activists lose a battle in one … Continue reading
Roe v. Wade commemorations
Visitors to Washington, DC can choose either an anti-abortion or abortion rights demonstration this week. The March for Life started with a rally on the National Mall, then activists marched to the Supreme Court to protest Roe v. Wade, praying … Continue reading
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Tagged abortion, commemoration, countermovements, demonstration, Roe v. Wade
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The Uses of History
It’s not that those who don’t know history are condemned to repeat it. Rather, those who don’t know about the past become victims of the waves of enthusiasm perpetrated by others. History provides context for the present; it’s not that … Continue reading
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Tagged Brinkley, Dallek, demonstration, Glenn Beck, history, Huey Long, Populism, tea party
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Billions for Civility?
Stephen Colbert proclaimed that Comedy Central’s weekend rally drew 6 billion participants. He may believe this; he is not to be believed. (In the same way, Rep. Michele Bachmann’s estimate of one million at Glenn Beck’s “Restoring Honor” rally shouldn’t … Continue reading
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Tagged Comedy Central, demonstration, Glenn Beck, michele bachmann
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Strikes in France
French citizens are taking to the streets in response to large cuts in social spending, most notably, an increase in the retirement age from 60 to 62. Nicolas Sarkozy, like leaders in most of Europe, has pressed for these cuts … Continue reading
