Dissent & People’s Solidarity Movements: A Panel

Throughout the world, 2025 seemed to be a year of protest and dissent, whether through the ‘Gen Z’ movements of Kenya, Morocco, Nepal, Madagascar, and the Philippines, continued demonstrations globally against Israel’s genocide in Gaza, or anti-ICE protests in the United States.

Unsurprisingly, many of these movements share similar language and goals, often targeting perceived increases in austerity, corruption, and authoritarianism. In some cases, these interlinkages have been intentionally defined as activists point to shared histories of colonialism, resistance, and collaboration, these dynamics not yet having been abolished. This discourse compels us to ask just how common these movements and the policies they are responding to truly are, and further, how a shared understanding of such might allow us to more effectively organize.

This panel seeks to provide an opportunity for speakers and guests to reflect critically on these questions. By looking at histories and currents of international people’s solidarity movements - such as the Afro-Asian People’s Solidarity Organization prevalent in the 20th century or the more recent Sumud Convoy- we hope to continue a long-held discussion around the opportunities and challenges these organizations, movements, and philosophies present to people across the world.