Latest news with #StrengthinNumbers
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Were the No Kings protests the largest single-day demonstration in American history?
The scale of last weekend's 'No Kings' protests is now becoming clearer, with one estimate suggesting that Saturday was among the biggest ever single-day protests in US history. Working out exactly where the protest ranks compared with similar recent events has been a project of G Elliott Morris, a data journalist who runs the Substack Strength in Numbers, calculated turnout between 4 million and 6 million, which would be 1.2-1.8% of the US population. This could exceed the previous record in recent history, when between 3.3 million and 5.6 million people showed up at the 2017 Women's March to rally against Trump's misogynistic rhetoric. Morris estimated the No Kings Day protest turnout in two steps. First, his team gathered data at events for as many locations as possible, defaulting to tallies published in local newspapers. Where that wasn't available, they relied on estimates from organizers and attenders themselves. To come up with a rough approximation of nationwide numbers, he then estimated the attendance in each unreported protest would be equal to the median of the attendance in places where data did exist. 'That's a tough approximation, but at least an empirical one,' Morris wrote in an email. 'We use the median instead of the average to control for outliers, [such as the fact that] big cities pull the average up, but most events are not huge urban protests.' Morris stressed that the Strength in Numbers tally remains unofficial, and he hopes that researchers will 'build' on his data when they conduct more studies. But his estimation is similar to that made by Ezra Levin, the co-founder of Indivisible, the progressive non-profit that organized the event. He estimated that 5 million people across the globe took to the streets. If 1.8% of the US adult population showed up to protest, it sends a signal to other people that you can stand up, too Omar Wasow Not everyone is ready to call it the biggest protest ever. Jeremy Pressman of the Crowd Counting Consortium, a joint Harvard University/University of Connecticut project that estimates political crowds, told USA Today it would take 'some time' to get an official tally. Meanwhile Steven Cheung, Trump's director of communications, unsurprisingly called the protests 'a complete and utter failure with minuscule attendance' on X. (No Kings took place on Donald Trump's birthday, which coincided with a parade the president threw in celebration of the US army's 250th anniversary.) Omar Wasow, an assistant professor in UC Berkeley's department of political science, told the Guardian that the demonstration was 'without question, among the largest single-day protests in history'. Wasow compared protest movements to standing ovations given at a theater. 'We see a cascade effect: if one person stands after the curtain drops, then more follow,' he said. 'If 1.8% of the US adult population showed up to protest on Saturday, those are the people who stood up to clap first. It sends a signal to all these other people that you can stand up, too.' The 1963 March on Washington, where Dr Martin Luther King Jr made his famous 'I have a dream' speech was at the time one of the largest protests in history, with up to a half a million people in attendance. It was dwarfed in size by the first Earth Day protests in 1970, in which 20 million people helped spark the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. 'At the time this was about 10% of the US population, possibly the largest we will ever realistically see – unless the political environment deteriorates significantly, prompting more backlash,' Morris said. In 1986 at the Hands Across America fundraiser, an estimated 5 million Americans formed a human chain to raise money to fight hunger and homelessness (each person was asked to donate $10, though many participants didn't end up paying and the politics of the Coca-Cola-sponsored event were murky). More than a million people took to the streets in 2006 for a boycott called 'A Day Without Immigrants' in protest of stricter immigration laws. Polls taken during the summer of 2020 found that between 15 and 26 million Americans protested against the murder of George Floyd during the month of June (though day-by-day numbers were smaller). Gloria J Browne-Marshall, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and author of A Protest History of the United States, said that it was difficult to compare crowd sizes for various protests, especially ones that take place over the course of several days and span various locations. 'There are different processes that have been used over the years, from eyeballing things to actually counting the number of people per square mile,' she said. Related: 'No Kings' protests stir US as Trump celebrates birthday with military parade – in pictures In the days following No Kings, an idea put forth by the political scientists Erica Chenoweth and Maria Stephan called the 3.5% rule spurred social media discussion. Chenoweth, a Harvard professor and Stephan, a political scientist who covers nonviolent movements, studied 323 revolutionary campaigns around the world that took place from 1900 to 2006. They found that all nonviolent movements that had the support of at least 3.5% of a population always succeeded in triggering change. No Kings, with its massive turnout, could be seen as a turning point. There are caveats to this rule, which was published in the team's 2011 book Why Civil Resistance Works. 'The 3.5% rule is descriptive, not prescriptive – and has been revised significantly since being originally published to allow for exceptions,' Morris wrote. 'Chenoweth now is clear that hitting 3.5% does not guarantee success, especially in political regimes where change is harder, and that movements can accomplish their goals with much smaller mobilization, through things like media coverage and alliances with elites.' Organizers and attenders of No Kings feel invigorated enough to continue the demonstrations, with another round of coordinated protests to fall on 17 July, the fifth anniversary of the death of John Lewis, the congressman and civil rights leader. But they admit there are limits to these events. 'We're not going to win if a lot of people show up at a protest one day,' Levin said. 'We need people actually taking democracy seriously, and that's not going to be done through a top-down action. It has to be done from the bottom-up. When pro-democracy movements succeed, it's because of a broad-based, ideological, diverse, geographically-dispersed, grassroots organizing – not just mobilizing.' • This article was amended on 19 June 2025 to clarify that G Elliott Morris used the median, not the medium, to approximate nationwide protest numbers.
Leader Live
13-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
How UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund helped Flintshire
Flintshire County Council received more than £12.4m from the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund and used the money to support 26 projects. The project's aim to improve employment opportunities, foster business growth, and upgrade important amenities. The financial aid, distributed between 2022-2025, focused on three main themes: communities and place, people and skills, and supporting local businesses. The fund also supported 'Multiply', an initiative to boost adult numeracy skills. As a result of the investment, data shows that about 15,000 people now have a more positive perception of their local facilities, such as social clubs and community hubs, with 6,073 more residents using these amenities than before. Graham Wilson (left), Dylunio Solutions Design Director, and Matt Groves (right), AMRC Cymru Manufacturing Research Engineer, with the respiratory mask for military dogs which ADAPTS helped produced. (Image: Supplied) Flintshire town centres saw significant improvements, including the redevelopment of 13 commercial properties, financial support for 48 events and activities, and bespoke advice for more than 50 businesses. Many sites also underwent environmental enhancements. Projects like Flintshire County Council's Strength in Numbers and LEAP, as well as WeMindTheGap's Minding the Gaps of Young People project, have boosted the confidence and skills of youngsters and adults across the county, resulting in 1,709 people gaining a qualification and a further 2,693 people engaged in education or training to improve their employment prospects. Gordon Elliot, owner and optometrist at Roberts and Polson Opticians who beneffited from the Flintshire County Council's Town Centre Property Improvement Grant (TCPIG), Flint, with Practice Manager, Sue Polson. Around 1,383 Flintshire firms received support, with 429 businesses adopting new innovative technologies and/or processes, and 203 decarbonisation plans developed in line with Wales' net zero by 2050 target. Design consultancy Dylunio Solutions, for example, received a smart workbench to aid the design and development of a military canine respiratory system. READ MORE: Residents left waiting weeks for Flintshire garden waste collection Councillor Chris Dolphin, Flintshire County Council cabinet member for economy, environment, and climate, said: "From the increased usage of community facilities to the adoption of green technologies, the positive effects of the UKSPF are evident across Flintshire. "Thanks to the financial support from the UK Government, the county is well placed to go from strength to strength over the coming years and I hope we see the benefit to the Flintshire economy and an overall greater sense of pride within residents towards their local area." To learn more about the successes of the UKSPF in Flintshire, visit:
Business News Wales
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Key Funding Sees Flintshire Organisations and Communities 'Flourish'
A multi-million-pound UK Government-funded programme has significantly benefitted Flintshire residents, with communities upskilled, local facilities enhanced, and business productivity increased, the local authority says. Having received more than £12.4 million from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Flintshire County Council has supported 26 projects to improve employment opportunities, foster business growth, and upgrade key amenities. The financial aid was delivered between 2022-2025 and encompassed three core themes: communities and place, people and skills, and supporting local business alongside 'Multiply', which was designed to increase adult numeracy skills. Thanks to the investment, data revealed that close to 15,000 people have a more positive perception of their local facilities, such as social clubs and community hubs, with 6,073 more residents using the amenities than before. For example, town centres across Flintshire benefitted from the county council's Town Centre Investment Programme with 13 commercial properties redeveloped, 48 events and activities financially supported, and more than 50 businesses receiving bespoke advice, as well as numerous sites undergoing environmental enhancements. In addition, projects such as Flintshire County Council's Strength in Numbers and LEAP (Learn, Explore, Achieve, Perform), as well as WeMindTheGap's Minding the Gaps of Young People project, have improved the confidence and skills of youngsters and adults across the county Results showcase that through such schemes, 1,709 people have successfully gained a qualification, with a further 2,693 people in education or training to boost their employment prospects. Some 1,383 Flintshire firms also received support, with 429 businesses adopting new innovative technologies and/or processes, and 203 decarbonisation plans developed in alignment with Wales' net zero by 2050 target. One such enterprise was design consultancy Dylunio Solutions, which received a smart workbench to streamline the design and development of a military canine respiratory system thanks to the UKSPF-funded AMRC Cymru Accelerating Decarbonisation and Productivity Technology and Skills (ADAPTS) scheme. Alongside business support, strengthening adults' numeracy skills was a key focus for the county which delivered its Multiply programme; a project that saw 1,513 people participate in maths qualifications and courses. Councillor Chris Dolphin, Flintshire County Council cabinet member for economy, environment, and climate, said: 'From the increased usage of community facilities to the adoption of green technologies, the positive effects of the UKSPF are evident across Flintshire. 'Thanks to the financial support from the UK Government, the county is well placed to go from strength to strength over the coming years and I hope we see the benefit to the Flintshire economy and an overall greater sense of pride within residents towards their local area.'
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Should Democrats stick with Harris? New poll shows surprising result in Trump rematch
If President Donald Trump and Former Vice President Kamala Harris were to have a rematch election, Harris would be the victor, according to a new poll. The Strength in Numbers/Verasight poll shows Harris winning 40% of the vote in a hypothetical rematch while Trump only wins 36%. Only 1% of adults who responded said they were undecided. Even though 40% of adults said they would vote for Harris over Trump, 43% of them said they would not vote at all, according to the poll. If you remove those who won't vote from the poll, however, Harris is still the victor, receiving 47% of the vote to Trump's 42%. The survey's findings present a scenario where the electorate is not pleased with Trump's overall performance, according to the poll's summary. The poll found that 56% of respondents said they think Trump's policy decisions have made the economy worse, while 22% said the policies have made things better. A total of 15% said the impact of Trump's policies is neutral and 7% said they 'don't know' or are 'not sure,' the poll's summary reads. Despite these dour numbers for the president, the Democratic Party only has a slim advantage when it comes to voters trusting them on policy issues. When it comes to jobs and the economy, 41% of adults responded that they trust Democrats to handle this issue better than Republicans. Only 39% said they trust the GOP more on jobs and the economy, according to the poll. Democrats also have a slight advantage on inflation, with 38% of adults saying they trust the party over the GOP while 37% say the opposite. Democrats do have a sizable advantage on three issues: government funding and social programs (48% trust Democrats, 35% trust Republicans), healthcare (46% Democrats, 33% GOP) and education (46% Democrats, 35% GOP). Republicans, meanwhile, hold an advantage on immigration. Of those who participated in the poll, 46% of adults trust Republicans on the issue of immigration over Democrats, while 33% trust Democrats over Republicans. For border security, the GOP holds an advantage here, too, with 50% of adults trusting the Republicans on border security over Democrats. Only 29% of respondents say Democrats are better trusted on this issue. Republicans also have a leg up on Democrats when it comes to deportations, with 45% of adults trusting the GOP over Democrats and 34% saying they trust the Democrats over the GOP. On the issue of foreign policy, however, both parties were tied at 40% each, according to the poll. If the 2026 midterm elections were held today, 47% of adults said they were more likely to vote for a Democrat for their congressional district compared to 41% who said they would vote for a Republican. A total of 12% of adults said they don't know or are not sure. 'Voters do not trust the major parties to handle the country's most pressing problems,' the poll's summary reads. 'With control of Congress up for grabs in 2026, voters look to be leaning toward Democrats, and disproportionately regret voting for Trump in 2024,' it added. 'But Republicans retain a strong base of support and are not down and out yet.' The poll has a sample size of 1,000 U.S. adult residents and was conducted from May 1-6, 2025. It has a margin of error of 3.2%. Who will be Donald Trump's successor? New poll shows clear favorite Boston mayoral candidates clash over city budget, housing and transit in first forum Trump admin announces certain Social Security beneficiaries will face 15% cuts in June Trump administration continues 'unraveling' Harvard as it cancels wave of grants Is Qatar's 'palace in the sky' 747 offered to Trump a flying white elephant? Read the original article on MassLive.
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Would Trump or Harris win in an election rematch today? What a new poll found
If the 2024 presidential election were held again today, President Donald Trump might not win the White House, according to new polling. In a Strength in Numbers/Verasight survey, 40% of respondents said they would vote for former Vice President Kamala Harris 'if the U.S. was holding a do-over election today.' Meanwhile, 36% said they would cast their ballot for Trump, and 1% said they were undecided. And, when respondents who said they would not vote in a rematch were removed, Harris led Trump 47% to 42%. The former vice president also held a sizable advantage over Trump — 36% to 22% — among respondents who said they did not vote in the 2024 election. In contrast, respondents who did vote in 2024 were split 43% to 43% over the two candidates. The poll sampled 1,000 U.S. adults May 1-6 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points. A similar poll — conducted by Emerson College in April — asked how respondents would cast their ballot 'if they could go back in time to the 2024 election, knowing what they know now.' In this survey, Trump came out slightly ahead. Ninety-three percent of Harris voters said they would leave their vote unchanged, while 94% of Trump voters said the same, giving him a 48% to 47% advantage. Other findings The latest survey also found that a majority of respondents, 56%, disapprove of the job Trump has done so far, while 40% approve. The president is also underwater on nearly every issue. For example, 63% disapprove of his handling of prices and inflation; 55% disapprove of his job on the economy and 54% rate him negatively on foreign policy. A majority, 52%, approve of him when it comes to just one issue: border security. Further, 53% of respondents said the economy is worse today than it was at the same time last year, while just 25% believe it is better. And most say Trump is to blame for this. Fifty-six percent of respondents said the president's 'policy decisions have made the economy worse,' while just 22% said they have improved the economy. The poll also found that Democrats have reason to be hopeful when it comes to future elections. Forty-seven percent of respondents said they'd be more likely to vote for a Democrat in the 2026 midterm elections, while 41% said they'd be more prone to voting for a Republican.
