I find the scale of this mobilization undeniable. Researchers have documented at least 25 protests worldwide where people aged 14 to 29 played a central role, covering roughly a third of the global population. Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist at Harvard Kennedy School, argues that "Gen Z is rising" because a significant portion is tired of sitting on the sidelines while their political systems fail them. She wrote in a recent essay that this cohort may be experiencing a "global political awakening." The movement spans continents, with specific grievances ranging from corruption and unequal playing fields to demands for affordable housing, education investment, and climate action. In Brazil, millions rallied online by sharing videos and spreading memes. In Serbia, students cycled across Europe and ran ultramarathons to amplify their voices. These actions became central during election campaigns and as a pushback against authoritarianism, offering a clear window into how youth-led movements are reshaping political landscapes globally.
Digital Infrastructure Drives Real-World Change
The unique aspect of this current wave is the infrastructure of mobilization. Analysts Cait Dallaire and Sebastian Dittgen note that TikTok and X accelerate grievances, while Discord servers enable decentralized planning. Virtual private networks and mirrored content help organizers circumvent internet shutdowns, creating a potent combination of street presence and digital reach. This strategy helped drive Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s comeback in Brazil’s presidential election last month. After a bruising first-round loss to Flavio Bolsonaro, students from Fluminense Federal University mobilized in a pro-Lula march, triggering similar actions nationwide. Congressman Andre Janones then created a WhatsApp channel called "Lula’s Army," attracting millions to boost pro-Lula content. On victory night, Lula acknowledged their power, thanking the generosity of Brazil’s young people who took to the streets to defend democracy. In Serbia, the students’ movement ousted Aleksandar Vucic in elections late last month, ending his party’s 14 years in power after it had stuffed institutions with loyalists. In the US, Zohran Mamdani’s campaign for New York mayor utilized social media alongside about 50,000 volunteers, many of whom were young people. The New York Times described volunteering as a salve for young New Yorkers, turning the effort into a space for socializing rather than just mobilizing.
Repression Meets Resilience
Despite these victories, state violence remains a defining feature of these protests. Civicus, a non-profit monitoring civic freedoms, reports that gen Z-led protests have invariably been met with state violence because they question the distribution of economic and political power. In France, lawyers and rights groups say several teenagers suffered war-like injuries from police weapons. Following the 2024 protests in Bangladesh, UN human rights experts said as many as 1,400 people were killed, mostly by security forces, while thousands more suffered severe, often life-altering injuries. India’s Cockroach movement faced extreme lengths from authorities in October, who barricaded roads and shut down the internet and public transport in central Delhi to prevent gatherings. Security forces detained thousands and used teargas and lathis, or wooden clubs, against protesters. In Morocco, more than 2,000 people were charged after the Gen Z 212 movement targeted officials over corruption and neglected public services. Many received harsh prison sentences. In Mexico, youth-led protests over corruption and crime led to clashes with police in which dozens were arrested. Arancha Gonzalez, dean of the Paris School of International Affairs, told Corriere della Sera that the shared spark is the breakdown of the social contract, noting that the idea economies generate wellbeing has been shattered in Europe. Bilal Narjissi, a 17-year-old student in a suburb north of Paris, summarized the core frustration: "We all agree on one point… That young people are treated like children, far too much, and that they aren’t listened to enough."
