Many key moments in past and present political movements have arisen from individual acts that have drawn international attention. Incidents of self-immolation, such as those of Thích Quảng Đức in Vietnam in 1963, Mohamed Bouazizi in Tunisia in 2010, and Aaron Bushnell in the US in 2024, show the lengths that some have been willing to go to for their beliefs. Beyond suicide protests, Rosa Parks’ 1955 individual act of defiance was instrumental in the US Civil Rights Movement, whilst Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi’s 2008 shoe-throwing at the then President George W. Bush triggered many similar actions. If the act of one individual can have such a large impact, what can we achieve when multiple individuals move together?
From a purely visual point of view, large numbers of bodies moving together in protest is a striking image. It’s a physical representation of a campaign, a truth that can’t be denied. It’s confronting and asks bystanders to reckon with their own thoughts and actions. These movements are symbolic in their show of solidarity and can inspire more and more people to join their ranks. Often resulting in media coverage, collective protest is effective in its demonstration of mass discontent.
The Arab Spring is a powerful example of this. Mohamed Bouazizi’s death in Tunisia sparked demonstrations across the country. Soon after, protests erupted in Egypt, Bahrain, Libya, and other countries in the region, where pressure was put on leaders through large-scale action. One particular way in which this was done in Egypt was through the occupation of Tahrir Square in Cairo. Protesters remained in the square for over two weeks, successfully forcing the resignation of Hosni Mubarak, who had been in power for 30 years. According to Middle East Eye, this shifted a public space into a symbol of ‘the collective voice of demonstrators.’ Taking up space in this way demands conversation – there’s no avoiding such an overt call for change. In 2024, Pro-Palestine student groups across the UK and the rest of the world took action on campus, setting up encampments to hold their institutions to account. This form of in-your-face activism couldn’t be ignored by university leadership – or news organisations, and as a result of these protests, some groups were able to achieve their demands.
When discussing recent demonstrations like these, and the role of protest today, the influence of social media has to be acknowledged. In an ever more digital age, it’s no secret that the online world powers political movements. From MAGA propaganda to anti-immigration rhetoric in the UK and the manosphere, social media has often been the fuel behind major societal upheaval. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook facilitate the spreading of misinformation, widening the chasm between an already divided population, and hampering efforts to find solutions to issues often blamed on minorities.
Despite the many issues created by these platforms, political movements with aims of creating a fairer society can use social media to network, organise, inform, and even protest. It’s another form of motion; posts, likes, and comments are small parts of a bigger machine, increasing the momentum and power of uprisings. One example of this is the use of Discord by young Nepalese people in 2025 to make decisions about the country’s future. But this doesn’t mean that social media is more effective at bringing about change than feet on the ground. In 2024, despite internet shutdowns, protesters in Bangladesh successfully ousted their Prime Minister after weeks of demonstrations. In a world where it seems as though those in control act with impunity, you would be forgiven for losing hope. Many ways exist to make your voice heard, but there lies a unique power in adding your voice to the chant of the many.
