On October 18, 2025, massive protests swept across the United States, marking a significant shift in the attitudes of demonstrators toward political violence. These nationwide marches, organized in response to actions by the Trump administration perceived as threats to democracy, saw millions of Americans take to the streets in a show of resistance. A recent sociological survey conducted during the Washington, D.C. protest suggests that protesters are increasingly rejecting political violence as a means of achieving their goals, signaling a notable change from previous demonstrations.
The “No Kings” protests, a series of large-scale events held throughout the year, have been closely observed by sociologists from American University, including Dana Fisher and Arman Azedi. Their team has surveyed participants at four major protests since January 2025, tracking shifts in opinions and behaviors. In the most recent event in the nation’s capital, which drew an estimated 200,000 people, their survey of 348 marchers revealed that 59 percent disagreed with the use of political violence. This represents a marked decline in support compared to earlier protests.
For example, at the June “No Kings” protest in Philadelphia, around 40 percent of participants agreed with the statement that “Americans may have to resort to violence in order to save our country.” However, this figure dropped to only 23 percent in the October Washington, D.C. march. Sociologist Dana Fisher describes the group of marchers as “radically less supportive of political violence” than those surveyed in earlier events. Additionally, the recent protest featured fewer violent signs and a greater emphasis on creative expression, with many participants donning costumes and engaging in festive activities.
Fisher and her colleagues suggest several factors that may explain this shift in attitudes. One key influence appears to be the recent politically motivated assassinations that have shocked the nation and heightened awareness of the real dangers of violence. News reports about violent acts committed by federal agents deploying in various cities may have also contributed to a growing desire for peaceful protest. Moreover, organizers of the October event strongly promoted nonviolent participation, which likely helped shape the tone and atmosphere of the march.
Despite warnings from administration officials about potential “left-wing violence” associated with the protests, media coverage described the demonstrations as largely peaceful and celebratory. The Associated Press characterized the day’s events as a “street party” featuring marching bands, costumes, and banners, rather than a scene of confrontation or unrest. This peaceful approach may have helped broaden the appeal of the protests and encouraged more people to join in without fear of violence.
Another notable aspect of this wave of protests is their geographic and demographic reach. A report from Harvard Kennedy School released just prior to the October marches found that anti-Trump protests have penetrated deeply into regions of the country where a majority of voters supported Donald Trump in the 2024 election. This expansion suggests growing national concern and engagement with issues of democracy and governance, crossing traditional political and cultural boundaries.
However, sociologists like Fisher note that certain groups remain underrepresented in these protests. For instance, college students have yet to join these demonstrations in significant numbers, even though the recent survey found a slight increase in young people among participants compared to previous events. The majority of marchers were still predominantly female, white, and highly educated, highlighting ongoing challenges in achieving broader demographic diversity in political activism.
The findings from these surveys offer valuable insights into the evolving landscape of protest in the United States. They suggest that, while frustration and political dissent remain high, many Americans participating in these movements are consciously choosing peaceful methods over violence. This trend could have important implications for the future of political engagement and social movements in the country.
Dan Vergano, a senior editor at Scientific American with extensive experience covering science and society, highlights the significance of this moment. With decades of reporting on social issues, Vergano emphasizes the importance of careful research and observation in understanding how public opinion is shifting in response to political events and cultural changes. The “No Kings” survey represents one of the first attempts to capture these dynamics in real time, providing a snapshot of protesters’ attitudes during a period of intense national debate.
Scientific American, a publication with a 180-year history of advocating for science and informed public discourse, has supported coverage of these issues as part of its mission. Editor in Chief David M. Ewalt underscores the critical role that science journalism plays in educating the public and fostering informed civic participation. He calls on readers to support the publication to ensure that quality reporting continues