Tag Archives: numbers

The 3.5% fallacy

Posted on October 18, 2025 by David S. Meyer

Every media outlet is going to post estimated numbers on the No Kings rallies, and they’re sure to be impressive. Larger than the extremely large June 14 demonstrations will be seen as a sign of the movement growing. Opponents will … Continue reading →

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Trump Inauguration II: This time is different

Posted on January 19, 2025 by David S. Meyer

Today’s People’s March, protesting Donald Trump’s second inauguration, numbered in the thousands, far shy of the millions mobilized by the Women’s March 8 years ago. There are always protests at presidential inaugurals, but the Women’s March of 2017, along with … Continue reading →

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Pushed to protest, how many Republicans will be pulled to join?

Posted on December 12, 2020 by David S. Meyer

After a sharp rejection from the Supreme Court, and after similar–if more detailed–dismissals from dozens of lower courts, Trump’s promise to fight on to hold the presidency must move beyond the legal system. Protesting in the streets is a step … Continue reading →

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Trump’s rally turnout, unlike Trump, modest

Posted on September 17, 2017 by David S. Meyer

The pro-Trump “Mother of All Rallies” turned out a few hundred demonstrators in Washington, DC, rather than the planned thousands. Sympathy rallies across the country were much smaller–or canceled altogether. Photos showing the assembled on an almost empty mall circulated on … Continue reading →

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Replaying the numbers game

Posted on January 23, 2017 by David S. Meyer

Bizarrely, once he had assumed office, Donald Trump used his new platform to fight about reports of attendance and viewership at his inauguration. In real life, even much lower attendance would have little immediate effect on the fact that Trump … Continue reading →

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The March for Life and the risks and rewards of institutionalization

Posted on January 24, 2014 by David S. Meyer

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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More on the Tepid TEA (Party)

Posted on May 29, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Every time I log on to the world, there’s more evidence that the Tea Party movement’s moment is passing. We see the strength of American social movements in their organizations, their ideas, and their activities.  (We’ve covered much of this … Continue reading →

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The Numbers Trap

Posted on October 4, 2010 by David S. Meyer

Well, yes, size matters, but it’s not the only thing. Large labor unions, the NAACP, and hundreds of other groups from the center to the left of American politics, staged their demonstration, a March for One Nation Working Together, Saturday.  … Continue reading →

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The Numbers Game

Posted on September 14, 2010 by David S. Meyer

When activists stage an event, they want to impress others with their commitment, unity, their worthiness, and their numbers.  (This formulation is from the great sociologist, Charles Tilly.) They want to show their opponents that they are strong and powerful–and … Continue reading →

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