Distill Social, a Michigan-based, grassroots media organization, published “Some Good News for Once” on its Substack. Could it really be possible?
Their thesis: Something pretty incredible happened last week—and it barely made the news.
Democrats flipped the Pennsylvania State Senate by winning a district that had been held by Republicans for 47 years.
That’s huge. It’s a sign that change isn’t just possible—the political tide is already turning against the Trump agenda. And it’s not just in Pennsylvania.
- ✅ People who never talked about politics are suddenly all in.
- ✅ Friends who once rolled their eyes at activism are now joining Lenawee Indivisible.
- ✅ Town hall meetings are packed with constituents demanding action.
- ✅ Republican “safe seats” are suddenly toss-ups, even in districts Trump won handily last November.
- ✅ Despite Elon Musk pouring more than $25 million into the Wisconsin Supreme Court race, the liberal candidate, Susan Crawford, came out on top.
This is the change we’ve been waiting for, and it’s happening faster than ever.
To prove the point, Distill Social identified three key signs that this positive political shift is well underway. We went digging for some data to back it up.
1. The “Not into Politics” Crowd Is More Engaged Than Ever
You know the people who used to say, “That’s too political,” or “I’m not into politics”?
The tables have turned.
Now, those same people are handing out rally flyers, attending demonstrations, writing postcards, and sharing causes they care about on social media.
📊 The Data Says:
Some skeptics argue that the resistance is losing steam, comparing the massive turnout of the 2017 Women’s March to the more modest attendance at this year’s People’s March.
But that’s only part of the story.
Harvard’s Crowd Counting Consortium found that January 18, 2025, saw more protests in a single day than any day in the past year.
And since January 22nd, street protests have more than doubled compared to the same period in the first Trump presidency.
People are more engaged than ever. While they might not be headed to D.C. to protest, they’re taking a stand locally.
📌 In February 2025, researchers counted nearly 2,100 protests on issues ranging from federal workers’ rights to LGBTQ+ protections, immigrant rights, Palestinian self-determination, and Tesla boycotts.
📌 Compare that to just 937 protests in February 2017, when activism mainly focused on Trump’s Muslim ban and reproductive rights.
This isn’t just resistance—it’s an evolution.
2. The “Both Sides Are the Same” Crowd Is Waking Up
Every election cycle, some people insist, “Both sides are the same—why bother?”
It’s a way to disengage, to float above the fray, and to pretend that sitting it out is somehow a virtue.
Well, guess what? They’re waking up.
As Project 2025 moves from think tank fantasy into real-world policy, even the most disengaged are realizing what’s at stake.
Now, they’re signing up for town halls. Making protest signs. Asking questions about primaries. They’re all in.
📊 The Data Says:
Grassroots movements are gaining momentum nationwide.
📌 Indivisible is mobilizing more than 2,000 “Hands Off” protests across all 50 states in a single day to oppose Trump and Musk’s policies.
📌 And here’s the best part: We only need 3.5% of the population to ensure lasting change.
According to Harvard political scientist Erica Chenoweth, nonviolent civil disobedience is the most effective way to shape world politics.
After studying over 300 political movements in the past 100+ years, Chenoweth found that:
➡️ Nonviolent campaigns succeed 53% of the time (compared to just 26% for violent campaigns).
➡️ Once 3.5% of the population actively participates, success is inevitable.
In the U.S., that means just 11 million people—around the population of New York City—could tip the balance.
That’s within reach.
3. The Algorithms Are Actually Helping (For Once)
Here’s a fun twist: social media, once dominated by cat videos and viral recipes, is now pushing political content—and it’s actually helping us get the word out.
Sure, the misinformation problem is real. But social media is also fueling boycotts, spreading protest information, and helping everyday people engage with politics in a way traditional media never has.
People who came online for skincare tips? Now they’re sharing political content that educates and empowers.
📊 The Data Says:
While protests are easier to count, boycotts, strikes, and “buycotts” (choosing where to spend money as a political act) are even more powerful.
But corporations don’t exactly release data on how boycotts hurt them—so we have to read between the lines.
📉 Tesla’s stock has plunged.
📉 Target’s sales have declined.
📉 Walmart’s valuation tanked by $22 billion.
According to Harvard researchers, withholding our labor and purchasing power could be the best way to resist moving forward.
Why?
1️⃣ It’s hard to police. “Calling in sick, refusing to buy, and stay-at-home demonstrations are notoriously difficult to track,” they explain.
2️⃣ It gets results. In 20th-century anti-authoritarian movements, economic noncooperation—not just protests—was the key to democratic breakthroughs.
And the U.S. has a long and proud history of economic resistance, stretching from the Boston Tea Party to the Montgomery Bus Boycotts.
Every action—and dollar—matters in 2025.
Keep the Political Tide Rolling
It’s easy to get lost in the doom scroll. But there’s so much room for hope.
✅ More people than ever before are engaging in politics.
✅ Your friends, your family, your neighbors—they’re waking up.
✅ They need to hear your voice.
Start by following activists, organizations, and pro-democracy voices (here are 40+ trusted sources). Repost content that educates and empowers, and don’t be afraid to be loud—because the other side certainly isn’t staying quiet.
Stay informed, stay engaged, and keep fighting for change!