Protests Fulfill Emotional and Social Needs, Experts Say

Protest is not just a tool for political change, but a deeply human experience that creates community and restores a sense of agency.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:49pm

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A solitary figure holding a protest sign stands alone on a dimly lit urban street, the warm glow of sunlight casting deep shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of quiet determination in the face of societal challenges.A lone protester stands resolute on a shadowy city street, their sign a beacon of dissent in a world of uncertainty.Floresville Today

As large-scale protests like the recent 'No Kings 3' demonstrations sweep the country, a social psychology researcher offers insights into why people are compelled to protest in the first place. Protest fulfills emotional and social needs, creating a sense of community, restoring agency, and offering hope in the face of uncertainty. Protest also allows people to identify with a larger movement and shared values, sustaining long-term civic engagement.

Why it matters

Understanding the psychological and social drivers behind protest movements can provide important context for how and why these demonstrations emerge and evolve. Protest is a fundamental part of a healthy democracy, allowing citizens to voice dissent and advocate for change. Examining the deeper motivations behind protest sheds light on its role in personal transformation and community building.

The details

Researcher Anna Sach explains that protest is 'not only a tool for political change, it is a deeply human experience that fulfills emotional and social needs.' Protest creates a sense of community and shared values, restoring a feeling of agency and hope in the face of uncertainty. People may be motivated to protest out of a sense of moral urgency or belief in the efficacy of such action. But the identification with a larger movement and its values is crucial for sustaining long-term civic engagement.

  • The 'No Kings 3' protests took place across America on March 28, 2026.
  • Protests against ICE and CBP have been ongoing since June 2025.

The players

Anna Sach

A young researcher in social psychology who offers insights into the psychological and social drivers behind protest movements.

Bryan Stevenson

The founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit dedicated to fighting mass incarceration and racial injustice.

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What they’re saying

“Protest is not only a tool for political change, it is a deeply human experience that fulfills emotional and social needs. It creates community, restores a sense of agency, and offers hope in the face of uncertainty.”

— Anna Sach, Social Psychology Researcher

“There is something about being lifted up by the whole of human history, by all who found a way to fight oppression and injustice, all who found a way to love despite the hate and brutality. There was something about being lifted up in that kind of community that shifts your capacity, shifts your identity. You don't think of yourself as an 'I' anymore; you think of yourself as a 'we'.”

— Bryan Stevenson, Founder, Equal Justice Initiative

What’s next

As the 'No Kings 3' protests continue to unfold, researchers and activists will likely examine how these demonstrations impact policy, public opinion, and the trajectory of the broader resistance movement.

The takeaway

Protest is a fundamental part of a healthy democracy, allowing citizens to voice dissent and advocate for change. Understanding the deeper psychological and social needs that drive people to protest provides important insights into how protest movements emerge, evolve, and sustain long-term civic engagement.