Shall We Overcome? The Sense of Movement Power among Gulf War Protesters

Thousands of Americans went to demonstrations against the Persian Gulf War. This research examines the aspirations, judgments, and concerns of different anti-war protesters. After interviewing 48 activists in San Diego, it became clear that more than three-fourths of sample activists thought the movement could not directly alter Bush's war policy. Those activists with a low sense of movement power said they protested because they wanted: (1) to change American values and lifestyles; (2) to adhere to their personal ethical codes; and (3) to interact with a community that affirmed their dissident mentalities.