Organisers across the United States are breaking down barriers and creating clever campaigns to welcome people new to protesting, as a wave of first-time activists joins political movements in response to the Trump administration's policies.
Donna DesRuisseaux, a 62-year-old business manager from Goffstown, New Hampshire, had never protested before 2025. She discovered the NH Bridge Brigade for Democracy group on Facebook and began holding signs on local bridges. 'Each week, protesting is more and more important. It's not that hard of a commitment and I've met so many people. You feel the camaraderie because we're all in the same boat,' she said.
Ezra Levin, co-director of Indivisible, the group behind the nationwide No Kings protests that drew about 7 million people last month, said successful organising requires reaching beyond political addicts. 'It requires reaching out to people who are not currently with you. That means we're hungry for opportunities to escape the bubble we're in,' he explained.
Autumn Gonzalez, an attorney and community organiser with NorCal Resist in Sacramento, California, said the group sees many people who have never been politically active. They host reading groups, film screenings, flower-pressing workshops, and Zoom events to attract rural participants. Hip-hop artist Princess Nokia held a benefit concert for them in October.
Indivisible used pop culture to connect with new communities, creating a digital ad campaign targeting fans of the Star Wars show Andor, with a theme of 'courage is contagious'. Organisers say they aim to make activism a positive experience, addressing common barriers such as not knowing how to get involved, cynicism, or safety concerns.
