The Free Speech Movement gained followers in the mid-1960s by campaigning for the right of students to engage in political activities and free speech on college campuses. The movement started when students at the University of California, Berkeley, protested against restrictive policies that limited their ability to publicly advocate for civil rights and anti-war positions. These protests, which included sit-ins, teach-ins, and rallies, attracted widespread support from students, faculty members, and community activists who shared their concerns about the curtailing of free speech.
The movement's leaders, including Mario Savio, Jack Weinberg, and Bettina Aptheker, effectively used the media to raise public awareness and gain support for their cause. They also formed alliances with other civil rights and anti-war groups to pool their resources and gain more leverage in negotiations with university administrators and elected officials.
Overall, the Free Speech Movement's success was due to a combination of factors, including its ability to tap into a broader national movement for social change, the energy and determination of its young activists, and its effective use of strategic tactics and media savvy to promote their message.
Source: Carp, S. (1998). The Free Speech Movement: Reflections on Berkeley in the 1960s. University of California Press.