ABSTRACT

This chapter investigates whether differences in macro-context—from a war in Iraq that had to be prevented to a war that had to be ended —resulted in differences in micro-level characteristics of the protesters. It examines features of peace protesters and explores whether the changed context—from a war that had to be prevented to a war that had to be stopped—affected protester characteristics. The chapter also examines the three Belgian protest events. The first one took place in Brussels in February 2003 as part of the worldwide protest described above. The second and third events were also held in Brussels, but in March 2004 and March 2006—respectively during the war's first and third anniversaries. Social movement scholars frequently link the ebb and flow of protest activities to changes in the political environment. Although the literature on the connections between the macro-context and the features of individual protesters is steadily growing, there are still questions that have not been answered.