To the editor:
Athens has always been a community that believes ordinary people can make a difference. History—and research—suggests that belief is well-founded. Political scientists studying more than a century of social movements found a striking pattern: when sustained, visible participation in nonviolent action reaches about 3.5% of the population, movements have historically been far more likely to achieve meaningful change. This isn’t a magic formula or a guarantee — but it is a powerful reminder that change rarely begins with “everyone.” It begins when a committed minority decides to show up, stand together, and be seen.
In Athens County, 3.5% of our population is only about 2,200 people. That’s not an impossible number (No Kings 2 drew almost 2000 demonstrators). It’s neighbors. It’s friends. It’s families. It’s the people we see at the farmers market, the library, and the coffee shop.
On Saturday, March 28, from 1:00–2:30 p.m., community members will gather at the Athens Community Center for the No Kings 3 Demonstration. This is an opportunity for citizens who care about democratic values, civic engagement, and the future of our country to peacefully come together and make their voices visible.
Moments of change in history often look small at the start. A crowd on a courthouse lawn. A gathering in a town square. A group of neighbors deciding that participation matters. Our Athens County goal of 2,200+ people is one small but vital piece of the roughly 11.7 million Americans needed nationally to reach that 3.5% benchmark. If you’ve ever wondered whether showing up makes a difference, the research – and history –suggests that it does.
Athens has never been a place that waits for others to act first. Let’s be part of the 3.5%. See you on March 28.
Thomas Kinsey
Athens, Ohio
