HLS Beyond Presents: Non-Cooperation & Protest in the Trump Era

HKS political scientist and co-director of the Crowd Counting Consortium, Erica Chenoweth, and Research Project Manager at the Nonviolent Action Lab, Soha Hammam, have been keeping track of when, where, and how civilian protests are occurring in the U.S in response to the major policy shifts introduced by the current administration. Despite popular perception, their research has shown that in contrast to the mass marches of 2017, protests are far more numerous and frequent but, given the current political realities, have also shifted to more powerful forms of resistance. Economic noncooperation – withholding labor power and purchasing power – appear to be a strategic and more viable method given uncertainty about the respect for First Amendment rights, the weaponization of government against political opponents, and the increasingly surveilled and high-risk nature of in person protest.  Come learn about their current research in the context of democratic movements throughout the world which, they argue, is proving to be “savvy, diversifying and probably just getting started.”  Lunch will be provided. Registration Required.