[tomq]

There are many good examples in history of oppression making a movement stronger. Think of the Boston massacre, Rosa Parks, or British treatment of Ghandi. That said, the plural of anecdote is not evidence.

In the similar domain of terrorism, the following highly cited study finds that military occupation is the leading cause of suicide bombing: http://www.ir.rochelleterman.com/sites/default/files/pape%20...

So that's good evidence for a blowback effect.

That said, the above arguments are against government oppression of a movement. Actions by localities to remove statues or by private companies to not provide a platform for hate speech are a different ballgame. It's not obvious they lead to blowback.