As a reporter, I have covered my fair share of protests, and for better or for worse, it seems like the political climate has done nothing but heat up over the past few years.
Last year, in response to the political left’s disapproval of the Trump-Vance administration, organizations like No Kings emerged, holding nationwide protests across 50 states, in cities big and small.
According to an article published by The Guardian, protests nationwide have seen a 133% increase from 2017 to 2025, jumping from 4,588 recorded protests in 2017 to 10,700 in 2025.
As organizations like No Kings play a bigger part in the political activism scene, I have questions regarding the significance that protests play in today’s society. Are people wasting their time, or are they still important?
As politics get more polarized one thing is certain, protesting and real life engagement is important. When protesting is done right, it’s more important than anything in the political climate.
Protesting’s purpose throughout history has always been used as a tool to spread awareness about a political opinion, share information and push change. As important as that is, modern-day protests are lacking communication.
The modern-day protest all looks pretty similar, where people hold signs, chant and give a lot of speeches, but with the increased polarization, less dialogue between individuals with opposing political opinions at protests is less than ideal.
Protests have become more about symbolism than a place of political discussion, and although the former is important, and should absolutely be part of protesting, the latter is becoming more important as polarization grows.
At the No Kings protest in St. George March 28, there was a small group of conservatives walking throughout the park holding signs in support of President Donald Trump and right-leaning ideals. Instead of a discussion of politics between opposing sides, there was hate-filled banter from one side to the other.
Studies done by the Pew Research Center show that discussion between those with opposing political views is dwindling. Nearly 60% of adult-aged Americans avoid discussing politics for fear of making others uncomfortable.
That 60% statistic feels very accurate in my experience. As I try to get more involved in political conversations, I can’t help but notice the lack of participants from other people my age.
Even if somebody I’m talking to does have the courage to talk about politics, it’s often a game of “Who can come off as the least opinionated?”
The previously mentioned studies also stated that political discussion between those of differing parties also ceased, with 77% of liberal Democrats and 53% of conservative Republicans avoiding political discussions after finding out the other party’s political affiliation was different from theirs.
It’s easy now with social media and an increase in avoiding political conversation to sit in hatred for the other side, and now more than ever, protests need to become a place for people to converse. When we’re segregated and unable to see the other side as human, major conflicts happen.
It’s important that everybody continues to be involved in protesting and continues making their voices heard, but just as much, everybody needs to use these gatherings as an opportunity for discussion.
When we disagree, it’s more important than ever to remember each other’s humanity.
