History lesson: Are student protests the best and most efficient way to spark social change?

In times of turmoil, student activism has historically sought to spur change, safeguard free speech and protect human rights. But whether these campus demonstrations actually make a difference often depends on the political climate and how protesters organize, behave and adapt, experts say.

As the war in Gaza careens into its seventh month, students from California to Massachusetts are gathering by the hundreds in encampments, and urging universities to separate themselves from companies advancing Israel’s military efforts...