SPECIAL: Student protest movements, then and now

The Georgia Politics Podcast

Welcome to a special episode of The Georgia Politics Podcast! Students protesting the war in Gaza is all over the news this week, but these types of protests are nothing new to American culture.

Student protests in the USA have long been catalysts for change. Dating back to the Civil Rights Movement, students fought for racial equality, leading sit-ins and marches. The Vietnam War era witnessed widespread anti-war protests, notably culminating in the Kent State shootings. Organizations like Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) emerged, advocating for various causes.

In the 1980s and 1990s, student activism shifted to include protests against apartheid and nuclear proliferation, as well as advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and environmental concerns. The new millennium brought movements like Occupy Wall Street, focusing on economic inequality.

Recent years have seen student-led protests against gun violence, notably after events like the Parkland shooting, and significant involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement, emphasizing racial justice and police reform. Throughout history, these protests have been instrumental in shaping societal attitudes and policies.

Will recent protests be any different?

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