KQED's Forum Are You Going to a 'No Kings' Protest? And The Benefits of a 'Best' Friend
Oct 16, 2025
Omar Wasow, a political science expert at UC Berkeley, discusses the surge of the No Kings protests, touching on the dynamics of social movements and effective protest tactics. Vox correspondent Allie Volpe and UCLA's Jaimie Arona Krems dive into friendship research, highlighting the emotional benefits of naming a best friend and how it combats loneliness. They also explore the complexities of friendship dynamics, including risks and the societal roles of best friendships in adulthood.
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Transcript
Episode notes
Turn Visibility Into Political Power
- Use protests to build participant efficacy and shape media coverage.
- Wasow says effective protests translate visibility into public opinion shifts and voting influence.
Use Humor As A Strategic Protest Tool
- Use humor and visual spectacle to counter narratives of chaos and gain sympathetic coverage.
- Wasow cites costumes and playful tactics as strategic nonviolent media hooks.
Follow Protests With Local Organizing
- Convert one-day mass mobilizations into sustained local organizing after the event.
- Wasow recommends following up protests with electoral and community action to maintain momentum.