Noise demonstration

A noise demonstration is a type of peaceful, disruptive protest that involves participants making noise with instruments, voices, megaphones, or improvised tools like frying pans.

Examples

United States

In the United States, noise demonstrations have been used outside police departments[1] and prisons,[2] as well as outside events such as political rallies or campaign events.[3] In 2020, a noise demonstration was held outside the White House to disrupt a speech by President Donald Trump.[4]

Noise demonstrations have been utilized in the 2025-2026 protests against mass deportation during the second Trump administration. Some protesters use whistles to alert other of the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents or the occurrence of abductions by such agents.[5] Noise demonstrations have also been held outside federal buildings[6][7] and hotels housing ICE agents.[8]

Goals

There are multiple purposes to a noise demonstration and they can blend and overlap. Some goals include breaking isolation, disrupting business, waking oppressors up, resisting censorship, sharing joy, and building on-the-ground resistance connections.

If someone is captured, imprisoned, or stuck behind a border, it is possible to make enough noise that they can hear it and know there are people on the outside who care about them. Some noise demonstrations are done outside jails or prisons to show solidarity.

A key element of successful noise demonstrations is that they become impossible to ignore. Many people or systems being protested are resistant to mild protest and rely on silence or complacency. Some gatherings gain protestors from uninvolved bystanders.[5]

Notable instances

Several defendants in the 2025 Alvarado ICE facility incident—during which an Alvarado, Texas, police officer was shot—said they believed they were attending a noise demonstration and that they had no knowledge of any planned violence.[9][10][11][12] The protesters were subsequently accused of membership in "antifa", which United States Attorney General Pam Bondi characterized as a "left wing terrorist organization".[11][13] In October 2025, several protesters pleaded guilty to federal charges of providing material support to terrorism.[11][14]

See also

References

  1. ^ Kropf, Mike (2021-04-23). "Photos: Noise demonstration in downtown Charlottesville". Charlottesville Tomorrow. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  2. ^ Poncana, Mzwandile (2020-06-14). "Anti-Carceral Group Organizes Noise Demonstration Outside Bordeaux Prison | News". thelinknewspaper.ca. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  3. ^ Kerr, Zak (2025-03-13). "Dickens Launches Reelection, Atlanta Organizers Push for Change". Atlanta Community Press Collective. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  4. ^ "Protesters Try to Drown Out Trump Speech, Yell at Sen. Paul". Voice of America. 2020-08-28. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  5. ^ a b "CrimethInc. : The Noise Demonstrations Keeping ICE Agents Awake at Their Hotels : A Model from the Twin Cities". CrimethInc. 2026-01-27. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  6. ^ Pratt, Katie (2025-06-16). "'Ice Out of Austin' protest takes place in downtown Austin". FOX 7 Austin. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  7. ^ "Protesters demonstrate against ICE in Downtown Austin Monday". kvue.com. 2025-06-15. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  8. ^ Juhn, Chris (2025-12-12). "Noise protest at Edina hotel aims to get 'ICE out of Minnesota'". Sahan Journal. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  9. ^ Rivera, Penelope (September 10, 2025). "Protest or 'ambush'? Woman arrested in Alvarado ICE facility shooting says it started peacefully". Dallas: KERA. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  10. ^ Lee, Andrew (October 25, 2025). "These Dallas Residents Are on the Front Lines of Trump's War Against "Antifa"". Truthout. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
  11. ^ a b c Monacelli, Steven (February 17, 2026). "The 'Antifa Scare' Goes On Trial in North Texas". The Texas Observer. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  12. ^ Russek, Sam (January 4, 2026). "They Say They're Protesters. The DOJ Says They're Terrorists". The New Republic. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  13. ^ Feuer, Alan (October 16, 2025). "Terrorism Charges Against Antifa 'Cell' Show Administration's Focus on the Left". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  14. ^ "5 Prairieland ICE shooting defendants plead guilty to federal terrorism-related charge". Dallas: KERA. November 19, 2025. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
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