The Power of 3.5%: How Nonviolent Protest Moves Nations

Over 7 million people—about 2.2% of the U.S. population—participated in more than 2,600 events across all 50 states protesting the Trump Administration and its policies. These demonstrations were peaceful and powerful, with no arrests reported nationwide.

This turnout surpassed the No Kings events in June, when more than 5 million people took to the streets across the country. The momentum is growing, and that’s what matters most. We must keep showing up—protesting, voting, running for office, and inspiring others to do the same.

Political scientist Erica Chenoweth offers a hopeful benchmark known as the 3.5% rule. Her groundbreaking research shows that when just 3.5% of a nation’s population engages in sustained, nonviolent protest, real political and social change becomes virtually inevitable.

To put that in perspective, the 7 million people who protested this past Saturday represent about 2.2% of the population. That means we’re getting close—and as participation grows, so does our power to create lasting change.

What the 3.5% Rule Means

Chenoweth developed this concept in 2013, expanding on earlier work by political scientist Mark Lichbach in The Rebel’s Dilemma. By analyzing civil resistance movements from 1900 to 2006, Chenoweth found that no government has ever successfully withstood a challenge from 3.5% of its population mobilized in nonviolent protest during a peak event.

Her findings highlight several key takeaways:

• Nonviolent movements are more successful than violent ones—winning 53% of the time compared to just 26% for violent uprisings.
  
  
• Participation matters. Reaching that 3.5% threshold can cause meaningful political, social, and economic disruption that forces change.
  
  
• The rule is descriptive, not predictive. Numbers alone aren’t enough—organization, leadership, and sustained momentum are what make movements succeed.
  

Why It Matters Now

The 3.5% rule has become a rallying cry for activists worldwide. It’s a reminder that real transformation doesn’t require a majority—it requires commitment, strategy, and consistency. Every protest, every voter registration drive, and every act of civic engagement moves us closer to that threshold.

We’re proving that collective action works. The movement is growing—and it’s only the beginning.