American academic: This is how the “No Kings” movement can transform anger into lasting change policy

In his article published in the American magazine Newsweek, writer Michael Shank expects that the rising peaceful protest movement in the United States, known as “No Kings,” will develop from a symbolic one-day demonstration into a sustainable campaign capable of radically changing the existing system.

Shank places this movement in the context of a global wave of popular mobilization, which included anti-corruption protests in the Philippines and Nepal, anti-genocide demonstrations in Britain, and uprisings against authoritarian rule in Mozambique, Argentina, and Indonesia.

He points out that in various parts of the world, people are rising up against governments characterized by corruption, injustice, and violence, and many of these movements have turned into ongoing movements.

He says that all of this movement occurred last September alone, adding that the world is going through popular protests after people were “fed up” with the “corrupt, unjust, and violent” governments that they rose to confront.

Factors hindering progress

But he believes, on the other hand, that the United States has not yet reached this level of sustainable peaceful resistance, despite the presence of the same reasons for anger over corruption, injustice, and inequality, and a long record of ongoing popular movements, which have taken away civil and electoral rights, in addition to the right to marital and family life, among others.

Shank believes that the factors hindering progress are the absence of a comprehensive national strategy, the illusion created by social media of providing an alternative to field action, and the lack of a sense of collective security resulting from the absence of joint planning.

He confirms his understanding of this popular movement because he himself grew up – as he says – in an environment saturated with the legacy of the peaceful Christian “Amish” and “Mennonite” sects. Hence, he stresses the need for resistance to be peaceful and within the framework of a well-thought-out plan with a clear goal.

Michael Shank: The United States has not yet reached the level of sustainable peaceful resistance that has emerged in other countries of the world where tyranny and corruption are widespread.

Steps for effective protests

It is suggested that the first steps of peaceful resistance begin with a comprehensive assessment of the conflict to analyze strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, followed by capacity building through training and workshops similar to what the civil rights movement did.

These preliminary steps are considered to ensure that protests, boycotts, or other forms of disobedience are effective and precisely targeted.

According to him, real change can only be achieved by transferring power to the people through continuous peaceful means, followed by institutional reform that protects the gains achieved.

Generation Z experiences

He cites the experience of Nepal, where the New Generation (Generation Z) protests paved the way for the first female prime minister in the country’s history, and the case of Mozambique, which witnessed the formation of civil alliances after the protests.

He concludes that “frustrated” Americans can, through a movement based on analysis, training, and strategy, transform the energy of protest into sustainable political and social progress, pointing out that the time has come to try that.

It is worth noting that Shank is a member of the global Trust Indicators initiative of Newsweek magazine, which aims to enhance transparency and accountability in journalistic work. He is a professor at New York University and the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University. He also holds the position of Program Director at the Albert Einstein Foundation.