A magazine focusing on the intersection of art and action
to create greater social, racial and economic justice
2025 Issues
"We publish intermittently,
the artwork you send us,
that resonates with our mission."
The '3.5% rule': How a small minority can change the world
Nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts –
and those engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change.
The following is excerpted from an article on the BBC website.
There are, of course, many ethical reasons to use nonviolent strategies. But compelling research by Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist at Harvard University, confirms that civil disobedience is not only the moral choice; it is also the most powerful way of shaping world politics – by a long way…
Looking at hundreds of campaigns over the last century, Erica found that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to achieve their goals as violent campaigns. And although the exact dynamics will depend on many factors, she has shown it takes around 3.5% of the population actively participating in the protests to ensure serious political change…
(Editors note - the seven million people that participated in the October 18, 2025 No Kings protest comprise about 2 percent of the U.S. population.
For more information on the 3.5% Rule, see the full BBC article. You can listen to Erica Chenoweth talk about it on a TED talk)
We are an artistic community that recognizes the intersectionality of all injustices
and believes that art is essential to social change and more justice.
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A column for you to share the actions you are taking to resist the erosion of our democratic institutions and practices and the rise of authoritarianism. We hope that sharing your stories will provide ideas and inspiration for others to take whatever action they are willing and able to take. Every individual action we take is part of a broad collective effort for justice. Please keep your stories to 150 words max and email to breatheeveryone@gmail.com. Feel free to include a photo of the action taken if appropriate.
Easement Watercolor by Michael Moreth
New Language by Lew Jones
AccomplishedWatercolor by Michael Moreth
Social Metaphor by Lew Jones
AccomplishedWatercolor by Michael Moreth
'Hard Work and Good Intentions' by Lew Jones
By RW Mayer
So, Tillie. When people ask you how old you were
when you went to your first
protest demonstration—what will you tell them?
You could say that you were in the neighborhood
of 300 days old. You might also tell them
that your mother MADE you go.
Stuffed you into her backpack like a Hoagie sandwich.