KQED's Forum Are You Going to a 'No Kings' Protest? And The Benefits of a 'Best' Friend
Oct 16, 2025
Omar Wasow, a political science expert at UC Berkeley, discusses the surge of the No Kings protests, touching on the dynamics of social movements and effective protest tactics. Vox correspondent Allie Volpe and UCLA's Jaimie Arona Krems dive into friendship research, highlighting the emotional benefits of naming a best friend and how it combats loneliness. They also explore the complexities of friendship dynamics, including risks and the societal roles of best friendships in adulthood.
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Protests Grow Through Social Cascades
- Social movements often grow by cascade as early activists signal others to join.
- Omar Wasow says steady administration policies can increase turnout over time.
Power Delegitimizes Dissent Quickly
- Authorities commonly delegitimize protests by blaming outside agitators.
- Wasow links this pattern to historical efforts to discredit dissent and reduce its public legitimacy.
Turn Visibility Into Political Power
- Use protests to build participant efficacy and shape media coverage.
- Wasow says effective protests translate visibility into public opinion shifts and voting influence.