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The '''Term Limit riots''', also known as the '''Catalyst riots''', were a series of riots and demonstrations against {{wp|Democratic backsliding in the United States|growing authoritarianism}} in the {{wp|United States}} that began nationwide on March 22, 2031. The protests and civil unrest began in population centers in soon-to-be [[Free States (Second American Civil War)|Free States]], namely {{wp|Los Angeles}} and {{wp|Portland, Oregon|Portland}}, in response to the controversial [[United States Term Limits Act]], which was passed in {{wp|United States Congress|Congress}} and signed by president {{wp|JD Vance}} the previous day. The law amended the {{wp|Twenty-Second Amendment to the United States Constitution|22nd Amendment}} to the {{wp|United Sates Constitution}} and allowed a president to serve more than two terms, sparking international criticism. While localized mainly in the United States, several protests and {{wp|Demonstration (people)|demonstrations}} appeared globally, mainly in {{wp|Canada}} and {{wp|Mexico}}. The Term Limit riots are generally considered to be the "{{wp|straw that broke the camel's back}}" of the [[American Splinter]], thus being alternatively named the Catalyst riots.
The '''Term Limit riots''', also known as the '''Catalyst riots''', were a series of riots and demonstrations against {{wp|Democratic backsliding in the United States|growing authoritarianism}} in the {{wp|United States}} that began nationwide on March 22, 2031. The unrest was ignited by the passage of the [[United States Term Limits Act]], signed into law by President {{wp|JD Vance}} a day earlier. This controversial legislation amended the {{wp|Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution|22nd Amendment}} to allow presidents to serve more than two terms, an unprecedented move that many critics perceived as a step toward authoritarianism. The public outcry was immediate, with initial demonstrations breaking out in {{wp|Los Angeles}}, {{wp|Portland, Oregon|Portland}}, {{wp|San Francisco}}, and {{wp|Boston}} before rapidly spreading nationwide. These protests resonated internationally, sparking solidarity movements in {{wp|Canada}} and {{wp|Mexico}}, though the bulk of the unrest remained within U.S. borders. The Term Limit riots are generally considered to be the "{{wp|straw that broke the camel's back}}" of the [[American Splinter]], thus being alternatively named the Catalyst riots.


The Term Limit protest movement began only hours after the law was signed, with the first protests emerging in cities such as {{wp|Los Angeles}}, {{wp|Portland, Oregon|Portland}}, {{wp|San Francisco}}, and {{wp|Boston}}, and eventually spreading nationwide. These riots spread nationwide to over 2,500 cities in the United States and over 700 worldwide, mainly in Canada. Polls in the summer of 2035 estimated that nearly 41 to 53 million people had participated at some point in any demonstrations or riots, or about 9% of the total U.S. population in 2031, making the Term Limit riots the largest series of demonstrations in U.S. history, nearly tripling the amount of participants in the {{wp|George Floyd protests}} of 2020.  
The Term Limit protest movement began only hours after the law was signed, with the first protests emerging in cities such as {{wp|Los Angeles}}, {{wp|Portland, Oregon|Portland}}, {{wp|San Francisco}}, and {{wp|Boston}}, and eventually spreading nationwide. These riots spread nationwide to over 2,500 cities in the United States and over 700 worldwide, mainly in Canada. Polls in the summer of 2035 estimated that nearly 41 to 53 million people had participated at some point in any demonstrations or riots, or about 9% of the total U.S. population in 2031, making the Term Limit riots the largest series of demonstrations in U.S. history, nearly tripling the amount of participants in the {{wp|George Floyd protests}} of 2020. The protests further divided the political scene of the United States, as conservative counter-protestors often were engaged in altercations with anti-Vance rioters.


While initially intended to be peaceful demonstrations, the protests quickly escalated into {{wp|rioting}}, {{wp|looting}}, and clashes between civilians and police. By April 2031, over 300 cities in the U.S. imposed {{wp|curfew}}s, and 41 states had ordered {{wp|United States National Guard|National Guard}} or {{wp|state defense force}}s in attempts to ease protests. Vance ordered federal law enforcement forces in 22 cities across the 50 states and {{wp|Washington, D.C.}} later the same month, marking the largest {{wp|military operation other than war}} in [[Reformed States]] history. Prior to October 19, 2031, over 36,000 people had been arrested and 41 people had been confirmed to have been killed. Approximately $3–4 billion worth of property damage had been recorded prior to October 19, making the riots the costliest civil conflict in United States history, surpassing the George Floyd protests and the {{wp|1992 Los Angeles riots}}.
While initially intended to be peaceful demonstrations, the protests quickly escalated into {{wp|rioting}}, {{wp|looting}}, and clashes between civilians and police. By April 2031, over 300 cities had imposed curfews, and 41 states activated their {{wp|United States National Guard|National Guard}} or state defense forces to quell the unrest. Vance further escalated the situation by [[2031 deployment of federal forces in the United States|deploying federal law enforcement and military forces]] to [[Cities worthy of national military attention|22 cities]], marking the largest {{wp|military operation other than war}} in [[Reformed States]] history. Prior to October 19, 2031, over 36,000 people had been arrested and 41 people had been confirmed to have been killed. Approximately $3–4 billion worth of property damage had been recorded prior to October 19, making the riots the costliest civil conflict in United States history, surpassing the George Floyd protests and the {{wp|1992 Los Angeles riots}}.


In September 2031, [[Mike McGuire]], then-{{wp|Governor of California}}, refused to co-operate with federal forces, calling Vance's actions "an unprecedented assault on state sovereignty." This standoff marked the beginning of California’s path to secession, culminating in its formal [[Declaration of Independence of New California|declaration of independence on October 19th]]. This triggered a formal response from Washington, D.C., as the federal government declared the [[Second American Civil War (RSA)|Second American Civil War]] merely hours after. The unrest further escalated when [[New England (RSA)|New England]] declared its independence in November, giving way for [[Willamette|Oregon and Washington]] and [[Hawaii Republic|Hawaii]] to declare their independence months later. As a result of civil unrest caused by the riots, JD Vance was [[Assassination of JD Vance|assassinated]] while at a rally in {{wp|Columbus, Ohio}} in March 2032, by [[Anthony Schafer]], a Californian nationalist and {{wp|anarcho-communism|anarcho-communist}}; this marked the first time in American history that two consecutive presidents died in office. As the seceded {{wp|Blue wall (United States)|blue wall}} states did not hold United States elections (other than {{wp|Maine}}, whose electoral votes were invalidated), [[Ron DeSantis]] and [[Tim Scott]] easily defeated {{wp|Catherine Cortez Masto}} in the [[2032 United States presidential election]], sparking further civil unrest over the legitimacy of the election. Although most riots and demonstrations ended in October of 2033, protests and counter-protests in the Free States extended until the end of the Second American Civil War.  
The federal government's aggressive response drew sharp criticism from state leaders, most notably then-{{wp|Governor of California}} [[Mike McGuire]]. In September 2031, McGuire openly defied federal authorities, condemning Vance's actions as "an unprecedented assault on state sovereignty." This standoff marked the beginning of California's secessionist movement, which culminated in the state’s formal [[Declaration of Independence of New California|declaration of independence on October 19th]]. This triggered a formal response from Washington, D.C., as the federal government declared the [[Second American Civil War (RSA)|Second American Civil War]] merely hours after. The unrest further escalated when [[New England (RSA)|New England]] declared its independence in November, giving way for [[Willamette|Oregon and Washington]] and [[Hawaii Republic|Hawaii]] to declare their independence months later.  
 
The United States's leadership faced growing threats as a result of ever-growing civil unrest and political dissatisfaction. On March 15, 2032, JD Vance was [[Assassination of JD Vance|assassinated]] while at a rally in {{wp|Columbus, Ohio}} by [[Anthony Schafer]], a Californian nationalist and {{wp|anarcho-communism|anarcho-communist}}; this marked the first time in American history that two consecutive presidents died in office. As the seceded {{wp|Blue wall (United States)|blue wall}} states did not hold United States elections (other than {{wp|Maine}}, whose electoral votes were invalidated), [[Ron DeSantis]] and his running mate [[Tim Scott]] easily secured victory over {{wp|Catherine Cortez Masto}} in the [[2032 United States presidential election]]. This outcome, deemed illegitimate by many in both the Free States and contested regions, fueled further protests and counter-protests, prolonging unrest. Although most riots and demonstrations ended in October of 2033, protests and counter-protests in the Free States extended until the end of the war, with the signing of the [[Treaty of Carson City]].  





Revision as of 08:15, 27 December 2024

Term Limit riots
Part of the American Splinter
Term Limit riots in Philadelphia
White House (49961479193).jpg
Minnesota State Patrol Troopers on Scene of Term Limit Riot, 25 March 2031
Helpers (cropped).jpg
A Protester Standing In Front Of Police (49955094876).jpg
Inauguration Day 2021- Columbus (1-20-21) 04zIMG 7661 (50871894992).jpg
From top down, left to right: Demonstration in Philadephia; police officers in front of the White House; Minnesota State Patrol troopers stand guard; Georgia Army National Guard medics assist demonstrators who had been tear gassed; a man stands in front of police officers in Seattle; demonstrators surround the Ohio State Capitol.
DateIn North America: March 22, 2031 – October 11, 2033
In Free States: March 22, 2031 – September 3, 2037
Location
Reformed States
Free States
Global (limited)
Caused by
MethodsRiots, protests, demonstrations, civil disobedience, online activism, political violence, strike action, cyberattacks, state secession
Resulted in
Deaths, injuries, and arrests
(prior to October 19, 2031)
Death(s)41 confirmed
Injuries57,000+
Arrested36,000+


The Term Limit riots, also known as the Catalyst riots, were a series of riots and demonstrations against growing authoritarianism in the United States that began nationwide on March 22, 2031. The unrest was ignited by the passage of the United States Term Limits Act, signed into law by President JD Vance a day earlier. This controversial legislation amended the 22nd Amendment to allow presidents to serve more than two terms, an unprecedented move that many critics perceived as a step toward authoritarianism. The public outcry was immediate, with initial demonstrations breaking out in Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, and Boston before rapidly spreading nationwide. These protests resonated internationally, sparking solidarity movements in Canada and Mexico, though the bulk of the unrest remained within U.S. borders. The Term Limit riots are generally considered to be the "straw that broke the camel's back" of the American Splinter, thus being alternatively named the Catalyst riots.

The Term Limit protest movement began only hours after the law was signed, with the first protests emerging in cities such as Los Angeles, Portland, San Francisco, and Boston, and eventually spreading nationwide. These riots spread nationwide to over 2,500 cities in the United States and over 700 worldwide, mainly in Canada. Polls in the summer of 2035 estimated that nearly 41 to 53 million people had participated at some point in any demonstrations or riots, or about 9% of the total U.S. population in 2031, making the Term Limit riots the largest series of demonstrations in U.S. history, nearly tripling the amount of participants in the George Floyd protests of 2020. The protests further divided the political scene of the United States, as conservative counter-protestors often were engaged in altercations with anti-Vance rioters.

While initially intended to be peaceful demonstrations, the protests quickly escalated into rioting, looting, and clashes between civilians and police. By April 2031, over 300 cities had imposed curfews, and 41 states activated their National Guard or state defense forces to quell the unrest. Vance further escalated the situation by deploying federal law enforcement and military forces to 22 cities, marking the largest military operation other than war in Reformed States history. Prior to October 19, 2031, over 36,000 people had been arrested and 41 people had been confirmed to have been killed. Approximately $3–4 billion worth of property damage had been recorded prior to October 19, making the riots the costliest civil conflict in United States history, surpassing the George Floyd protests and the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

The federal government's aggressive response drew sharp criticism from state leaders, most notably then-Governor of California Mike McGuire. In September 2031, McGuire openly defied federal authorities, condemning Vance's actions as "an unprecedented assault on state sovereignty." This standoff marked the beginning of California's secessionist movement, which culminated in the state’s formal declaration of independence on October 19th. This triggered a formal response from Washington, D.C., as the federal government declared the Second American Civil War merely hours after. The unrest further escalated when New England declared its independence in November, giving way for Oregon and Washington and Hawaii to declare their independence months later.

The United States's leadership faced growing threats as a result of ever-growing civil unrest and political dissatisfaction. On March 15, 2032, JD Vance was assassinated while at a rally in Columbus, Ohio by Anthony Schafer, a Californian nationalist and anarcho-communist; this marked the first time in American history that two consecutive presidents died in office. As the seceded blue wall states did not hold United States elections (other than Maine, whose electoral votes were invalidated), Ron DeSantis and his running mate Tim Scott easily secured victory over Catherine Cortez Masto in the 2032 United States presidential election. This outcome, deemed illegitimate by many in both the Free States and contested regions, fueled further protests and counter-protests, prolonging unrest. Although most riots and demonstrations ended in October of 2033, protests and counter-protests in the Free States extended until the end of the war, with the signing of the Treaty of Carson City.
















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