Everyone’s Mad, Protesting, and Online — and Frankly, It’s About Time

Author: Ana

If you’ve been feeling like the world’s on fire, congratulations — you’re paying attention. From Seoul to Skopje, Istanbul to Indiana, citizens are flooding the streets, banging pots, waving flags, and demanding (brace yourself) actual democracy, dignity, and affordable housing. You know, wild stuff.

In case you’re wondering — yes, the protests are still happening, yes, they’re getting bigger, and yes, your government probably hopes you’re too distracted by dance videos, influencer feuds, or “hot takes” on breakfast to notice. But plot twist: the same social media platforms that help organise these movements are also quietly throttling their reach, flagging posts, or vanishing hashtags altogether. Because who wouldn’t want their government — or a helpful algorithm — to decide which revolution gets visibility and which one gets shadow-banned?

Let’s take a very satisfying walk through the chaos, shall we?

United States: Democracy, but Make It Optional

Americans are once again proving that marching is their cardio. Coast to coast, people are in the streets protesting the latest round of democratic erosion under — wait for it — President Donald Trump (yes, again). Civil rights groups, climate activists, and everyday citizens are waving signs that say things like “Maybe don’t destroy everything?” in what might be the most reasonable political ask of the decade.

The White House, naturally, called it “politically motivated,” which is hilarious, because that’s literally what politics is.

Italy: No Tanks, Just Pasta and Peace

Rome just hosted one of the largest anti-war protests in Europe this year — over 100,000 Italians waving peace flags and chanting “No to rearmament!” while Giorgia Meloni’s government preps to buy more jets than pizzas. Unions and student groups are furious at defence budget increases while schools and hospitals rot.

Truckers, never ones to be left out, planned to clog Rome on April 14 with their protest convoy because nothing says “we’re fed up” like turning the capital into a parking lot.

Israel: When the Government Won’t Check Itself

Israelis are protesting every day, every single week, and in every single city. Why? Because Prime Minister Netanyahu wants to make the judiciary his footstool. Thousands flood Tel Aviv, waving national flags like shields against creeping authoritarianism. It’s the largest civic uprising in the country’s history. Meanwhile, the government says, “This is fine” and keeps pouring gas on the legal fire.

Serbia: Welcome to the Sonic Dystopia

Things in Serbia are so bad that tens of thousands are protesting not just government incompetence, but actual deadly infrastructure failures. The roof of a newly built train station literally collapsed, killing 16. People are rightfully furious, and President Vučić’s response? Deploy a sonic weapon on protesters. No, really. They blasted a soundwave through Belgrade to disperse a peaceful crowd.

Because nothing says “we respect democracy” like sound torture.

Greece: 57 Dead, Still No Justice

Two years after a deadly train crash that killed 57 people, Greeks are still marching for justice. On Feb. 28, a general strike shut down the country. Protesters held signs that named the victims — the message? “We remember, and we’re not letting this slide.”

Oh, and a new general strike happened on April 9, because the government is busy ignoring skyrocketing housing costs, poverty, and—you guessed it—privatising everything that’s not nailed down.

Georgia: 100 Days of Protest and Counting

In Georgia (the country, not the U.S. state where voting rights also disappeared), people have protested every single day for over three months. Why? Because the ruling party suddenly hit the brakes on EU membership talks, like it was some casual Tuesday decision.

Protesters, waving EU flags and chanting “Europe!,” want elections and reforms. The government, instead, passed laws to criminalise protest stickers. Because stickers — terrifying stuff.

North Macedonia: “The System is Next”

After a deadly nightclub fire killed 60 people, North Macedonians poured into the streets chanting, “The system is next!” And honestly, they’re right. Corruption, criminal negligence, and weak safety laws led to the tragedy. Protesters want resignations. The government offered… a corruption probe and some arrests.

Also, brewing? A youth-led road safety movement was started after a repeat offender killed a student in a hit-and-run. Candlelight vigils, marches, and total lack of government urgency — the usual.

Spain: No One Can Afford to Live Anymore

Rent in Spain is now so high that even tapas are weeping. In early April, tens of thousands marched in over 40 cities, chanting “Housing is a right!” Madrid alone saw 150,000 in the streets. Rents in the Balearic Islands are up 40%, and 85% of young people still live with their parents.

The government passed a housing law in 2023. Protesters say it’s too little, too late. But hey, at least they haven’t banned stickers. Yet.

South Korea: Presidential Coup? Not on Their Watch

South Koreans just kicked out their president. Why? Because he tried to declare martial law without any threat whatsoever, just to stop Parliament from working. The Constitutional Court voted to impeach him on April 4, and the people partied like it was 1987.

Meanwhile, doctors are striking, labour unions are fired up, and the country’s already planning its next leader. Honestly? Iconic.

Turkey: İmamoğlu Arrested, People Snap

And then there’s Turkey. Istanbul’s beloved opposition mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested in March for — wait for it — corruption and terrorism, just weeks after criticising Erdoğan’s government. Thousands protested immediately, including outside City Hall. Protests are still ongoing and expanding.

In classic fashion, the government responded with mass arrests, riot cops, and throttled social media. But people aren’t backing down. The slogan of the hour? “We understand this rebellion.” And they mean it.

And In the Background: Big Tech’s Watching You Protest

Let’s not forget that while citizens are out risking arrest, rubber bullets, and — in Serbia’s case — actual sonic warfare, the very platforms they use to organise, livestream, and document their defiance, like TikTok, are now under fire themselves.

From Turkey’s throttling of access during İmamoğlu protests, to Albania blaming TikTok for youth violence just in time for elections, and the U.S. threatening bans in the name of national security, the pattern is loud and clear.

These tools of rebellion are also tools of surveillance. This investigation sheds light on the darker side of digital protest tools — platforms that helped mobilise Spaniards against housing crises, Greeks striking for dignity, Israelis marching for democracy, and Georgians waving EU flags in the cold — may also be quietly tracking, filtering, or flat-out erasing dissent. Because what’s a democracy without a little algorithmic paranoia and a shadow ban?

The Final Plot Twist? Hope

Look, not everything is broken. These protests are proof that people aren’t just angry — they’re alive. They’re organising, resisting, and demanding more — real wages, real justice, real freedom.

The system may not be ready. But the people? Oh, they’re ready.

And they’re marching.