One fifth of Americans attended a protest or rally since 2016, poll finds

Almost 20 per cent of the respondents said it was their first time at a rally or protest

(Shannon Finney/Getty Images)

Twenty per cent of Americans have participated in a protest or rally in the last two years according to a new poll.

Conducted by the Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation, the poll showed that one in five Americans, 19 per cent of whom had never participated in an in-person political rally or mass protest, did so during the dramatic and contentious 2016 presidential election, President Donald Trump’s victory and inauguration, women’s rights marches, demonstrations against police violence, and the latest round of gun control reform marches.

An overwhelming 70 per cent of the respondents to the survey said they are opposed to Mr Trump and 30 per cent said they supported the president. However, when asked if the president was what spurred their participation, only 10 per cent said yes.

Many times attending a political rally may not translate into taking action, but at least 30 per cent of the respondents to the survey said they have plans to attend further protests and volunteer on a political campaign, particularly Congressional races in the upcoming 2018 midterm election.

Almost half - or 44 per cent - of the respondents were above the age of 50 and roughly a third made over $100,000 annually, showing the socioeconomic makeup of those participating in these public events.

As far as political party affiliation goes, protesters and rallygoers are fairly predictably split: 40 per cent said they were Democrats, 36 per cent are Independents, and 20 per cent Republicans.

Forty-six per cent of protesters were out marching in the streets because of women’s rights, followed by concern for the environment and energy issues, immigration matters - like the massive protests at airports all over the country during the initial weeks of Mr Trump’s travel ban, healthcare, and LGBT issues.

The foundation polled 1,850 adults between January and February 2018.