During the days of the contentious Brett Kavanaugh hearings, protesters poured into D.C. to try to stop his confirmation. Themes of “I believe Dr. Ford” and “We believe survivors” filled signs and chants, while those who supported Kavanaugh were met with angry voices and words of rage.

When Justice Kavanaugh was confirmed, more rallies ensued, then soon died off. While the accusations of (roughly) 36-year-old sexual misconduct struck a definite chord with a segment of the public, one must ask why these protests sprang so loud, and why at that moment.