Thu Oct 23 02:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, focusing on the “No Kings” protests and the factors that may determine success in this type of movement:

News Article:

“No Kings” Protests Draw Millions, Sparking Hope for Anti-Authoritarian Movement

[City, State] – Nearly seven million people participated in “No Kings” rallies across the United States on Saturday, according to organizers, marking one of the largest single-day protest events in the nation’s history. The protests, organized by groups including Indivisible, aimed to push back against what participants see as authoritarian tendencies.

What sets these protests apart is their decentralized nature. Emphasizing a “think local” strategy, organizers encouraged participants to organize events in their own communities rather than traveling to large, centralized rallies. This approach resulted in hundreds of protests in cities and towns throughout the country.

New research from Harvard University’s Kennedy School supports this strategy. Their study, titled “The Resistance Reaches into Trump Country,” indicates that anti-Trump protests have significantly increased in traditionally conservative areas during his second term. The study also showed that “the median protest county in the U.S. sent more votes to Trump in 2024 than Harris.” This suggests the movement is gaining traction in areas where support for the former president is strong.

Erica Chenoweth, a researcher at the Kennedy School, is known for the “3.5% rule,” which asserts that nonviolent movements need the active and sustained participation of at least 3.5% of the population to succeed. Chenoweth’s research suggests that successful movements also prioritize non-violence, appealing to new demographics, and maintaining momentum.

The “No Kings” rallies have demonstrated consistent growth, with participation rising from approximately three million in April’s “Hands Off” protests to five million in June and now nearly seven million. Reaching the 3.5% threshold of the U.S. population, roughly 12 million people, remains a challenge. However, given the recent growth trajectory, some observers suggest that this goal is becoming increasingly attainable.

This report includes information originally featured on “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC.

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