The protest repertoire of white overalls: Combining contradictions in social and climate justice struggles
(2026) HEKK03 20252Department of Human Geography
Human Ecology
- Abstract
- This thesis examines the white overall as a protest repertoire within European social and climate justice groups between 2000 and 2025. Focusing on the protest models of Tute Bianche and Ende Gelände, the study discusses the practical and communicative functions of the white overall, as well as how the repertoire has been developed, transformed and diffused across different political and spatiotemporal contexts. Drawing on five semi-structured interviews with activists who have participated in white overall protest actions, the analysis applies theories on social movements and protest repertoires as contentious politics. The findings show that the white overall functions both as a practical tool – providing anonymity, protection and... (More)
- This thesis examines the white overall as a protest repertoire within European social and climate justice groups between 2000 and 2025. Focusing on the protest models of Tute Bianche and Ende Gelände, the study discusses the practical and communicative functions of the white overall, as well as how the repertoire has been developed, transformed and diffused across different political and spatiotemporal contexts. Drawing on five semi-structured interviews with activists who have participated in white overall protest actions, the analysis applies theories on social movements and protest repertoires as contentious politics. The findings show that the white overall functions both as a practical tool – providing anonymity, protection and collective identity – and as a communicative symbol of nonviolence, determination and legitimacy through combining and highlighting perceived contrasts. The study further reveals tensions between militancy and conformity, innovation and stagnation as well as the challenges of increased repression. By tracing the historical trajectory of the white overall, this thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of how protest repertoires emerge, develop and stagnate over time. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9218244
- author
- Plüschke Rixer, Mio LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- HEKK03 20252
- year
- 2026
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- keywords
- Social movements, protest repertoires, white overalls, militancy, nonviolence
- language
- English
- id
- 9218244
- date added to LUP
- 2026-09-17 10:10:15
- date last changed
- 2026-09-17 10:10:15
@misc{9218244,
abstract = {{This thesis examines the white overall as a protest repertoire within European social and climate justice groups between 2000 and 2025. Focusing on the protest models of Tute Bianche and Ende Gelände, the study discusses the practical and communicative functions of the white overall, as well as how the repertoire has been developed, transformed and diffused across different political and spatiotemporal contexts. Drawing on five semi-structured interviews with activists who have participated in white overall protest actions, the analysis applies theories on social movements and protest repertoires as contentious politics. The findings show that the white overall functions both as a practical tool – providing anonymity, protection and collective identity – and as a communicative symbol of nonviolence, determination and legitimacy through combining and highlighting perceived contrasts. The study further reveals tensions between militancy and conformity, innovation and stagnation as well as the challenges of increased repression. By tracing the historical trajectory of the white overall, this thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of how protest repertoires emerge, develop and stagnate over time.}},
author = {{Plüschke Rixer, Mio}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{The protest repertoire of white overalls: Combining contradictions in social and climate justice struggles}},
year = {{2026}},
}