alt Hacker NewsIt doesn't work if the opposition is also organized. For example, a March 2003 Gallup poll showed that 5% of the US population had made a public opposition to the Iraq war, but 21% had made a public display to support the war. Small minorities can't go directly against more popular movements.
I agree that's what it's saying but it does make the whole statement a bit meaningless.
Essentially the statement is 3.5% succeed unless there's meaningful opposition.