Merton's strain theory asserts that society or social structures levies pressure on individuals to conform to the socially accepted goals despite their lack of resources and this leads them to commit crimes.
As per the question, 'innovation' takes place when the individuals accept the cultural goals of the society but they deny the traditional or authorized means of achieving these goals. In this process, the individuals adopt alternative ways to attain these goals which further leads to deviance as in the process of conforming to one norm, another is violated.
Him and his friend were sent home for organizing student-lead protests and manifestations. This foreshadowed his devotion to activism and wanting to do what he could to make a change that was important to him.
