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Gen Z Isn’t Protesting Anymore. Here’s Why

2026-04-18 News & Politics
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The Bulwark
The Bulwark
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Description

Rachel Janfaza and Lauren Egan explore a striking political shift: campus protests that once followed every move of Democrats have all but vanished under Trump—even amid a growing conflict with Iran. From massive campus shutdowns to near silence, what happened to Gen Z activism? They discuss protest fatigue, fear of consequences, changing campus rules, and a deeper cultural shift among young voters who may be giving up on protests altogether. Read more from Lauren’s reporting: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-campus-protest-culture-that-targeted-biden-goes-silent-for-trump-iran-anti-war Become a Bulwark Youtube Plus Member here - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG4Hp1KbGw4e02N7FpPXDgQ/join

Top Comments (10)

@balibob47 2026-04-18

The same people that think Democrats are communists think dRump is a Christian.

337 15 replies
@UpNortBassin 2026-04-18

Nobody thought they would be killed or disappeared by the Biden administration

301 33 replies
@editorjuno 2026-04-18

The campus protests of the Vietnam era were not solely about the war being obviously, immorally wrong -- which it clearly was -- it was also about young people getting drafted to serve in harm's way for no discernible good reason. Should the draft be reimposed, it's safe to say that campus protests would happen on a large scale despite any intimidation attempts from the regime.

181 23 replies
@dominoep 2026-04-19

It's easier to protest an administration when you don't think the consequences will be as severe.

160 38 replies
@ubertante 2026-04-19

Well, Gen Z, it takes a looong time to make changes like this. If you believe in the change you seek, you’re going to have to get into it for the long haul.

95 15 replies
@annpianetta1536 2026-04-19

A good way to kill a democracy is to not participate. People have to get involved, even if the minimum is just voting and being knowledgeable about what they’re voting for.

70 8 replies
@Ishkur23 2026-04-19

You guys want a protest to work? Learn from Hungary. Learn from Georgia. Learn from Ukraine on the Euromaidan in 2014. Those protesters were out there FOR MONTHS! The Georgian protests are still going on now -- over a year now, 24/7 protesting. A million people in the streets of their capital city demanding change and refusing to leave even when arrested or fired upon. A protest is not a god damn festival. It's not a day out with the family at Six Flags. It's not a part time temporary thing you do on your day off so it doesn't interfere with your job or inconvenience your lifestyle. Showing up on a Saturday every six months doesn't do jack shit. You are easily ignorable by the insulated elites. They do not care. If you want the Fascism gone, get your hands dirty. Forsake your creature comforts. Get into the streets, pound the pavement, and do it forever. Virtue signaling is easy. Sacrifice is hard.

48 8 replies
@northwestpsychfest7329 2026-04-19

Can you imagine if the leaders of the Civil Right's Movement gave up protesting because it didn't change things fast enough? WTF?

37 6 replies
@mattgraham5992 2026-04-19

Grandpa says it does work but takes longer to succeed than you may believe. It took 8 years before the president would acknowledge Dr King. It took more than 50 years for women to win the vote.

21 2 replies
@ricrebelo 2026-04-19

Moral of the story is GEN Z is afraid of bullies and give them a blank check but if they are led by compassionate people they will throw tantrums...Seems to be going well for them

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