Author Archives: David S. Meyer

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About David S. Meyer

Author and professor of Sociology and Political Science at the University of California, Irvine

Constructing an image through protest

Protest works by engaging others in your struggle.  The first step is getting attention, and an arresting image (sometimes including arrest) is a way to do that.  This morning’s LA Times featured two such images; it got me thinking about … Continue reading

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Cesar Chavez Day, 2014

The parking lot is deserted at the University of California, Irvine today; it’s a holiday to commemorate Cesar Chavez, and really, the farmworkers movement and Latinos in California.  I’m reposting my Cesar Chavez blog below. There’s one additional wrinkle this … Continue reading

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Politics of Protest, 2nd edition

I’m happy to announce that Oxford University Press has just published the second edition of The Politics of Protest: Social Movements in America. It’s really a new book, including discussion of things I’ve learned in the last seven years and … Continue reading

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Korematsu Day, institutionalizing commemoration

Korematsu Day is celebrated today, and I repost the entry from the first Korematsu Day in 2011. The formal inclusion of commemoration in our calendar is a mixed blessing.  On one hand, it marks a terrible period in our nation’s … Continue reading

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Celebrate Pete Seeger

Pete Seeger died on Monday at 94.  He had a long and full life, one that touched many other people and helped carry many causes.  We had the good fortune that he outlived many of his (many) enemies who would … Continue reading

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Tea Party State of the Union response

After President Barack Obama gives his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, and after Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (from Washington state) gives the Republican response, Senator Mike Lee (Republican from Utah) will give the Tea Party response.  Senator … Continue reading

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The March for Life and the risks and rewards of institutionalization

Many abortion opponents showed up for the annual March for Life in Washington, DC this past week, commemorating (mourning) the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that established abortion rights across the United States. I don’t know how many; the Park … Continue reading

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Martin Luther King Day (2014)

(This is a repost of the MLKing Day holiday note,  with an added image–at right–from the Mall in Washington, DC.  Have a good holiday.) Martin Luther King died young enough and dramatically enough to be turned into an American hero, … Continue reading

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Thanks to Franklin McCain

Franklin McCain died at the age of 73, another chance for the rest of us to appreciate his commitment and courage, and to say thank you to remind ourselves of what’s possible. McCain was one of the four freshmen (not … Continue reading

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Activism in office

Kshama Sawant joins the Seattle City Council this week, and her support for socialism seemed newsworthy to the editors of the New York Times. The headline notes that the election makes Sawant “a rare elected voice for socialism.”  Sawant campaigned … Continue reading

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