After the Civil Rights Movement peaked other movements came about where people organized together to protest against things happening in the world that they did not agree with or support. “The growth of the New Left and student radicalism began in the early 1960s and reached its height during 1968. This new political movement sprouted protests on college campuses from the East Coast to the West Coast on issues including the Vietnam War, free speech, the environment, and racism. Including student groups like Students for a Democratic Society and the Free Speech Movement in Berkeley, the New Left rallied for the “common struggle with the liberation movements of the world” (AAPB,1). Women fought for equal pay, child care support, job opportunities, and equal rights. Also, during the 1960s and 1970s, lebians and gay activists organized demonstrations and parades in hopes to destigmatize the gay community. They too fought for equal rights and pride for who they are. The Vietnam War was also looming around that time and many Americans disapproved of the war. They rally against the draft and being part of a war they did not support. There was an anti war movement on many college campuses and many powerful leaders like MLK Jr. joined the protests as well. Only 35% of Americans actually approved of the Vietnam War. People felt the need to commit civil disobedience and go against government and typical ideas of the time because change was needed and the people’s rights needed to be protected. Currently, our country is divided on what they feel is the best interest of our country. We have issues of immigration and deportation; education, federal oversight of federal agencies, and diversity programs. Many large universities like Harvard are suing the government for them withholding federal funds. Additionally, students and people are being deported without proper trials and rights. The world currently seems to be at a standstill and people are organizing and protesting, fighting in the courts, and making their voices heard in a fight for freedoms and equality. “Organizers say they oppose what they call Trump’s civil rights violations and constitutional violations, including efforts to deport scores of immigrants and to scale back the federal government by firing thousands of government workers and effectively shuttering entire agencies” (Marcello, 1). When we look at these different movements; and past and current issues in America we see several similarities. People are standing up for their civil rights. There are also very different opinions in America that in a way divides our thoughts about the policies, laws, issues, and status of our country. People from all ends are standing up together to be heard. The times have changed but the issues are similar in nature. Also, fights about government oversight and agencies are being discussed. America is trying to figure out how we need to move forward to be whole.
Work Cited:
Marcelo, Philip. “Photos: Anti-Trump Protesters Rally in Cities and Towns across the Country.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 20 Apr. 2025, www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/photos-anti-trump-protesters-rally-in-cities-and-towns-across-the-country.
“Protesting in the 1960s and 1970s.” American Archive of Public Broadcasting, americanarchive.org/exhibits/first-amendment/protests-60s-70s. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Work Cited:
Marcelo, Philip. “Photos: Anti-Trump Protesters Rally in Cities and Towns across the Country.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 20 Apr. 2025, www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/photos-anti-trump-protesters-rally-in-cities-and-towns-across-the-country.
“Protesting in the 1960s and 1970s.” American Archive of Public Broadcasting, americanarchive.org/exhibits/first-amendment/protests-60s-70s. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.