A spatial history of protest in Boston

Abstract

The location of a protest is a crucial element in protesters' ability to make their grievances or demands heard. Despite the significance of protest location and scholars' emphasis on the importance of urban space in social movement mobilization, there is limited research on the spatial patterns of protest over time. This thesis utilizes the Dynamics of Collective Action dataset to identify, geocode, and map 421 protests, rallies, sit ins, and marches that took place in the Boston area between 1960 and 1995. In addition to identifying the location of protest events, this study classifies and analyzes protest space typologies. The analysis reveals the durability of university and government spaces as protest locations, as well as the Boston Common. In addition, it identifies the significance of Boston Public School desegregation as a catalyst for neighborhood protests during the 1970s, particularly in South Boston. This thesis concludes with a discussion of the mechanisms that shape the spatial patterns of urban protest and engages in a critical reflection on the consequences for urban planners and residents.