Photo by Alex Radelich on Unsplash
Thousands take to the streets; change, anger and hope are present in the air, and it seems democracy is on full display. Yet three months later, everything feels the same as before; not because people care less, but because visibility, media coverage, and performative activism have reshaped how outsiders view protests today.
On Jan. 30, thousands of people across the United States held nonviolent protests against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the deaths of Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and seven others. Many of these demonstrations included students from both public and private high schools. Notably, signs of public outrage intensified only after the deaths of U.S. citizens, despite the fact that undocumented people have died in ICE custody for years.
But, as peaceful protests continue to grow in frequency, have they actually been successful in causing any meaningful change in recent years?
One reason peaceful protests have become less effective is the rise of performative activism, where public displays of support online replace real action. Reposting things online is one example of a digital, peaceful protest. In a world where being “woke” is both a trend and a form of competition, many people feel inclined to present a better version of themselves online, according to VOXATL. Suddenly, those who were silent during the initial death of Renee Good are reposting posts about ICE protests in their area. Simply reposting the protests online isn’t enough for change to occur. Because social media rewards what is easily viewed and shareable, activism can be more about visibility and personal validation than pushing for real outcomes. Although advertising protests and sharing posts help raise awareness about current issues, people may sometimes have the wrong intentions, feeling like they accomplished something without following up on their post or even showing up to the protests they advertised in the first place.
Furthermore, when activism becomes performative, it can dilute the message of more serious movements. Instead of elevating voices directly impacted by the issue, posts can get buried under a series of repetitive content. From an outsider’s point of view, it may seem like everyone is “copying” one another, causing genuine protest efforts to be diluted into the sea of reposts.
Performative activism doesn’t invalidate all protests, but it does create an illusion of action.
Another issue with the rise of peaceful protests is the media coverage it receives. As many gather outside local schools or on busy streets, they tend to draw a lot of attention to local news outlets, but fail nationally. Large news stations are drawn towards big protests, such as those in Downtown Los Angeles or in New York City, where hundreds of people are gathered together. They may also be drawn towards more sensational protests, where the protests may turn violent or lead to conflict with law enforcement and multiple arrests. As a result, many smaller protests led by students, who may be unable to attend larger movements, are often overlooked.
This imbalance sends the message that only protests of a certain size or spectacle are worth acknowledging, discouraging local participation and minimizing the efforts of those organizing within their communities. Additionally, reporters tend to focus on the violence of protests, ignoring peaceful outcries and reinforcing the idea that violence is what finally demands national attention.
When media becomes the deciding factor in whether a protest is considered “successful,” the voices of younger activists are pushed into the background, regardless of validity or urgency.
Despite all the challenges that come with peaceful protests, it’s inaccurate to fully dismiss these protesters as ineffective. In the past, peaceful protests played a major role in creating change, especially during movements like the Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968) and the Salt March (1930). These movements not only because people showed up, but because their actions were difficult to ignore and directly challenged those in power.
While the impact of peaceful protests has shifted over time, many participants continue to show up consistently, organizing events to advocate for the rights of those who may be unable to attend. For students, protesting is one of the few accessible ways to participate, even if their attempts go unnoticed. Through this, protesting can build community and solidarity, demonstrating that everyone is a team and is willing to fight for their community, even if they are sacrificing themselves to consequences.
However, the presence of genuine commitment doesn’t guarantee impact. When protests fail to receive optimal media coverage, even dedicated activists struggle to get their voices heard. Over time, being repeatedly ignored can weaken momentum, reinforcing the idea that peaceful action rarely forces those in power to respond with change.
Peaceful protests aren’t failing because people no longer care, but because the systems meant to respond are ignoring them. Until peaceful protests reach sufficient media coverage, protests will continue to feel symbolic rather than transformative. Until then, student papers and local media stations should report on these small protests, giving everyone the voice they are fighting for. The question is no longer if peaceful protesting is effective, but how long it will survive in a system where it is overlooked.
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