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Forms of popular mobilisation : from trade unions to hashtags
Mobilising for justice : past struggles and new dynamics
Throughout history, people have come together to fight for equality, justice, and rights. These collective actions, often called popular mobilisations, can take many forms, protests, strikes, petitions, or campaigns. What unites them is a common goal : to bring change.
In the past, most movements relied on structured organisations. They had leaders, rules, and clear demands. Trade unions, for instance, were key in defending workers’ rights. Other movements like the Suffragettes in the UK or the civil rights movement in the US used marches, speeches, and coordinated actions to make their voices heard.
Today, new tools like social media have changed how people organise. A hashtag, a viral video, or a shared message can unite thousands, even millions, in a matter of hours. Movements like #MeToo or Black Lives Matter show that people don’t always need a traditional organisation to act. They use digital platforms to raise awareness, denounce injustice, and mobilise support worldwide.
Despite these changes, the goals often remain the same : to fight inequality and give a voice to the unheard. What changes is the speed, the visibility, and the structure of mobilisation. This shift marks an important transition in how people fight for their rights.
From the Suffragettes to #MeToo : old fights, new forms
The Suffragettes in the early 20th-century Britain campaigned for women’s right to vote. They used bold and disruptive actions, such as chaining themselves to railings or going on hunger strikes. Their struggle was organised, risky, and sometimes violent, but it led to real change : in 1918, British women gained limited voting rights, and in 1928, full equality.
In the United States, the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s, led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., used peaceful protest, legal action, and powerful speeches to fight racial segregation. The movement achieved major victories like the Civil Rights Act (1964), showing how long-term organisations and collective effort could transform society.
In contrast, the #MeToo movement, which began in 2017, spread rapidly through social media. It encouraged women around the world to speak up against sexual harassment and abuse. It had no central leader, but its impact was global. Celebrities and ordinary people alike shared their experiences, making visible a problem often hidden. #MeToo led to resignations, investigations, and new conversations about gender, power, and respect.
These examples show that while the tools evolve, the heart of mobilisation, that is the fight for dignity and equality, remains. Whether in the streets or online, people continue to raise their voices to shape a better world.
