I don’t think it’s reflexively contrarian as much as dissatisfied and reactionary. Things aren’t great and they’ll vote for anyone who says they’ll change things (e.g., Trump and Bernie) and against anyone who says things are just fine the way they are (any DNC bobble head).

He’s such a great example of why inherited wealth is such a a bad idea. If he didn’t start so close to the finish line, he’d just be some random unemployable loser that nobody has to deal with.

Protests work as a show of force (to the target of the protests) and to generate solidarity and increase numbers (for the protesters).

For them to actually work as a show of force, there has to be a credible threat of violence (or political action) waiting in the wings. All of the successful non-violent protests in the past had this. The idea is that you work with us on these reasonable requests or we put your heads on pikes. Without leverage, the protests are just a means of venting pressure.