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The science of protests: how to shape public opinion and swing votes

Demonstrations are on the rise, and scientists are revealing which types work best.
  1. Helen Pearson
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Farmers in a large group protest against the new farm laws near New Delhi, India in 2020.

Farmers in India staged some of the largest protests in history following the passage of new laws in 2020. Credit: Biplov Bhuyan/Hindustan Times via Getty

Protests are erupting around the globe. Thousands have broken out since October over the Israel–Hamas conflict. Farmers massed this year in Germany, Belgium, India and many other countries in clashes over new rules. And demonstrators last month set fire to the trademark Olympic rings in Paris to protest against the games being held there this summer, as part of a bid for higher wages.

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Nature 630, 804-806 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02082-5

References

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