If we look at the past, we can observe how mass mobilizations of tens of thousands of people stem from feelings of desperation and hopelessness. Throughout much of human history, protests have been a common form of political expression and they continue to be an effective vehicle of resistance against the powers that be.
It’s been over two years since the Pro-Palestine marches have gained momentum in the UK, with the most recent gathering occurring in central London on October 11th, 2025 after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was implemented in Gaza. Despite the nature of these protests being largely peaceful and inoffensive, police forces are being granted more and more power to apprehend protesters in an effort to cut down on the marches. This comes as no surprise, especially after the UK government’s decision to misuse counter-terrorism legislation in an attempt to criminalize civilians affiliated with Palestine Action, a direct-action group which aims to bring an end to Israeli apartheid in Gaza.
There is no use in denying the power of a united front, as the ongoing protests have succeeded in preventing the erasure of Palestinian voices. To diminish the power of such a movement would be a fruitless endeavor. Even though there are efforts being made by political leaders all around the world to censor and stifle any calls of dissent. There are people who are brave enough to risk their lives to bring attention to the truth and uphold humanity. This is a symbol of hope if anything for the countless Palestinians who are being oppressed and persecuted by the Israeli regime.
In order to have a comprehensive outlook regarding the effectiveness of protesting, we must examine the activism of the Just Stop Oil organization. After three years of sustained civil disobedience, the environmental activist group Just Stop Oil dissolved its operations in March, 2025. More specifically, they are no longer engaging in the disruptive strategies that made them famous in the first place. For instance, throwing soup on Van Gogh’s paintings, spraying paint on historical sites such as the Stonehenge and organizing road blockades.
They were heavily criticized and publicly condemned for their radical methods of drawing attention to the climate crisis. A common argument made by naysayers was that instead of generating more support for the cause, their demonstrations turned people away, giving rise to hostility against the movement and the organization itself. To some people, their actions could be viewed as performative and incapable of actually enacting positive and constructive change. Instead of indulging themselves in theatrics, protestors should have been more focused on attacking the systems of power which brought about these injustices in the first place.
What most skeptics failed to recognize was that none of their favorite art pieces or historical landmarks were ever really harmed. It was never about destroying precious creations of human invention it was about drawing attention to the dire state of the world. A world that may not exist if we allow our present circumstances to continue on as normal. With the rise in greenhouse gases and global temperatures, innumerable ecosystems devastated, things can only get worse if we allow them to. Perhaps, that was the point they were trying to make all along, that art can only exist if there’s a world to make it in.
Although, Just Stop Oil denotes that the main reason for their dissolution is because their primary objective which is to end the issuance of oil and gas licenses has been achieved. There has been much discussion that there were other undeniable factors at play. The way protest laws are being employed has become more and more stringent. These stricter conditions have allowed activists to be charged with criminal offences before even committing any transgressions.
The insidious nature of the justice system is more apparent than ever with the government cracking down on political expression in a way that feels scary and dystopian. What this means for the future of protesting is uncertain but it will affect all of us, whether we like it or not. Despite the threatening loom of legal implications, the spirit of resistance can never be truly suppressed. Political expression is the bedrock of our democracy and the only way we can guarantee that our voices are being heard even in the face of injustice and inequity.