Politics in the 2020s is basically a permanent shouting match, right? If you feel like the last few years have been a blur of picket lines, highway blockades, and campus encampments, you aren't imagining things. Looking back at the list of protests during the Biden administration, it’s easy to think it was just one big, continuous wave of anger. But honestly, the reality is way more nuanced.
The Biden era didn't just have "more" protests; it had a specific kind of friction. You had a president trying to "return to normalcy" while the country was still vibrating from a global pandemic, a massive racial reckoning, and a Supreme Court that was about to flip the table on fifty years of legal precedent.
People didn't just stay home because a Democrat was in the Oval Office. If anything, the pressure from the left intensified because they felt they finally had a door to kick down. Meanwhile, the right-wing opposition morphed from the "Stop the Steal" chaos of early 2021 into a more targeted, legislative-focused resistance.
The Early Days: From Jan 6th to Vaccine Mandates
Most people forget that Biden’s term started under the literal shadow of a riot. While the January 6th Capitol attack happened two weeks before he took the oath, it set the thermostat for the next four years. It wasn't a one-off. It birthed a series of smaller, "Freedom" themed rallies throughout 2021 and 2022.
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Then came the needles.
When the administration announced vaccine mandates for federal employees and large businesses in late 2021, the backlash was instant. You've probably seen the footage of truckers or "Feds for Freedom" groups. These weren't just "anti-vax" in the traditional sense; they were deeply rooted in a "my body, my choice" framework that the right hijacked from the left.
In January 2022, the Supreme Court eventually stepped in and blocked the mandate for private businesses, but by then, the protest culture had already shifted. It became about "medical freedom" and resisting "federal overreach." It was a vibe that lingered long after the masks came off.
The Dobbs Earthquake: When the Streets Caught Fire
If there’s one moment that defines the middle of Biden’s term, it’s the Dobbs v. Jackson leak. In May 2022, when that draft opinion hit the news, the response was visceral.
I remember the scenes in D.C. It wasn't just a march; it was a vigil that turned into a summer of rage. For months, you had protesters outside the homes of Supreme Court justices—something that sparked a whole separate debate about "civility" and the law.
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Why the Abortion Protests Were Different
- Duration: They didn't stop after the ruling in June 2022. They morphed into "Bans Off Our Bodies" rallies that fueled the 2022 midterms.
- The "Green Wave": Activists started adopting the green bandanas used in Latin American abortion rights movements, showing a new kind of international solidarity.
- Campus Involvement: We saw massive walkouts at schools like Brown, UVA, and Berkeley.
These protests were a huge headache for the White House. Why? Because the base wanted Biden to do something—expand the court, codify Roe, anything. The gap between what the protesters demanded and what the administration felt it could legally do created a massive rift.
The Gaza Encampments: The Youth Vote on the Brink
Fast forward to late 2023 and early 2024. This is the big one. If you’re looking at a list of protests during the Biden administration, the pro-Palestinian movement is likely the most politically damaging for the Democrats.
It started with small rallies after October 7th, but by the spring of 2024, it was an all-out campus insurgency. Columbia University became the epicenter. We saw tents, "liberated zones," and eventually, police in riot gear clearing Hamilton Hall.
The numbers are kinda staggering. Over 3,000 people were arrested on campuses nationwide. These weren't just "fringe" groups; these were the very young voters Biden needed for reelection. The "Uncommitted" movement in the primaries—where tens of thousands of voters in swing states like Michigan chose not to vote for Biden—was a direct result of these street-level protests.
The Climate "Lead or Lose" Movement
While Gaza grabbed the headlines, the Sunrise Movement and other climate groups were quietly (and not so quietly) haunting the administration.
Biden passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which was a huge win for climate. But then he approved the Willow Project in Alaska.
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Basically, the youth climate movement felt betrayed. In February 2024, protesters blockaded the doors of Biden’s campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware. They weren't there to support him; they were there to tell him that "young people are pretty pissed." Their slogan "Lead or Lose" was a literal warning.
The "Stop Cop City" and Localized Unrest
We can't talk about protests without mentioning Atlanta. The "Stop Cop City" movement against a proposed police training facility became a national flashpoint for the Biden era. It combined environmentalism with the "Defund the Police" energy that had been simmering since 2020.
When a protester, Manuel "Tortuguita" Terán, was killed by police during a raid on the forest camp in 2023, it sparked "National Days of Action." It showed that even with a Democrat in the White House, the tension between activists and law enforcement hadn't cooled an inch.
Putting it All Together: The Timeline
Honestly, trying to list every single march would take forever. But here is the "spark notes" version of the major waves:
- Late 2021: Anti-mandate rallies and the "Freedom Convoy" vibe.
- May – June 2022: The massive post-Roe surge.
- 2023: "Stop Cop City" and the rise of labor strikes (think UAW and SAG-AFTRA, which were technically protests too!).
- 2024: The Gaza encampments and the "Uncommitted" primary movement.
- Early 2026: Continued friction over ICE operations and immigration enforcement in cities like Atlanta.
What This Means for the Future
Protests aren't just about people holding signs. They are the "early warning system" for elections. The list of protests during the Biden administration tells a story of a coalition that was fundamentally unhappy with the "middle ground."
The left felt the administration was too slow on climate and too supportive of Israel. The right felt the administration was too "woke" and overreached on personal liberties.
Actionable Insights for the Politically Active
If you're someone who follows these movements or wants to get involved, here’s how to actually navigate this landscape without losing your mind:
- Look past the headlines: The news usually covers the moment the police arrive. If you want to understand a movement, look at their "list of demands." Usually, they are much more specific than "we're angry."
- Verify the "AstroTurf": Some protests are grassroots; others are funded by massive PACs. Check who is organizing the "permitted" rallies vs. the "spontaneous" ones.
- Understand the Legal Shift: Since 2021, many states have passed "anti-protest" laws that increase penalties for blocking highways or staying on campus after hours. If you're planning to join a march, know your local ordinances.
The Biden years proved that the presidency doesn't stop the protest; it just changes the target. Whether it was about the climate, the court, or the conflict in the Middle East, the streets remained the primary place where Americans went when they felt the ballot box wasn't enough.
Now that you’ve got the full picture of the major movements, your next step is to look at your local city council's upcoming schedule. Most of these massive national movements actually start with small, local grievances that boil over. Watching those early meetings is where you'll see the next big wave forming before it ever hits the national news.