Lightstick protests

Uncommon card · No. 135959

The lightstick protests, alternatively known as penlight demonstrations is a form of nonviolent protest in East Asia characterised by the synchronised use of electronic concert lightsticks. The movement originated in South Korea in December 2024 during mass demonstrations against emergency martial law, where youth substituted traditional wax candles with colourful K-pop lightsticks. The tactic subsequently spread to Japan and Taiwan, where it has been adopted by Generation Z activists to oppose government policies, advocate for peace, and protest constitutional reforms. By integrating idol fandom culture into political dissent, the movement aims to lower the barrier to civic engagement and destigmatise public protests. The protests were defined as a direct evolution of candlelight rallies, sometimes called Candlelight Protest 2.0, and as Gen Z protests.

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