YES, YOU CAN! Achieve Significant Social and Political Change, Legally and Peacefully

Evidence-Based Discussion with Prof. Sheldon Malev

In response to unexpected tariffs, unchecked and increasing inflation, war, cost of education, rising food insecurity and rising unemployment for college grads, immigration insecurity, increasing cases of Measles, a lack of “balance of power” in Washington, a loss of respect in the US for one another and for the US by other nations, worldwide, “resistance groups” have been growing in numbers. College students are becoming more aware of and involved in them. Some would like to be involved but they don’t know what they can do or how to go about it. This seminar might help them do so.

Harvard researcher, Erica Chenoweth, studying government protests around the world in the past century, found that only a fraction of the population, 3.5%, were instrumental in changing the leadership of that country, and that peaceful protests outnumbered the violent ones in terms of their success. Her conclusion led to, what is known now as “The 3.5% Rule”.

We will discuss what has been learned about peaceful and legal protests, encouraged by the first amendment to our constitution, guaranteeing this right to American residents.