Since the United States of America was founded in 1776, there have been numerous movements to right the wrongs in the country. Over two hundred years later, in 2025, there are many injustices that still need correcting. Some would argue that at this time, the country is more split than ever. As citizens, one of the things we can do to express our disapproval of problems and work to improve them is to protest.
What is a protest?
When people think of a protest, they usually imagine a march or a sit-in. While these are forms of protesting, they are not the sole definition. A protest is a public demonstration or action to express disagreement with government policies, ideas, and other worldly issues. Protesting can come in different shapes and forms. A march, being the more recognized one, is when a large group of people gather in a public area and protest together, often involving banners and chants. One example of this is the March on Washington in 1963, which was a major event for the Civil Rights Movement. A sit-in is another popular form of protest, and it is when protestors occupy a public area and refuse to move. Boycotting is also a way to protest, and it is when people stop commercially supporting a country, organization, or person. Other forms of protesting include speeches, petitions, and strikes.
What exactly makes a good protest?
To protest effectively, people must clarify their goal. It is challenging to find supporters or to support a cause that is unknown/and unclear. So, people organizing protests need to have their end goal in mind, and this means researching what the problem is and figuring out a solution to work towards. This makes it easier to know what kind of protest to organize and what to do. After finding the goal, the next step is to organize a team. This is a team of supporters that will help with media outreach, legal support, etc, all of which is necessary for a successful protest. Then, protestors will need to plan the action. These big marches seen on TV are not random. They have been planned months in advance. This is why social media is vital in a protest. It helps spread awareness and bring more people to your cause.
Now that everything is set and the protest is in action, what should you do? Well, let’s say the protest in question is public with a lot of people, such as a march or a sit-in. Be sure not to initiate violence. At a large protest, you will see many police officers. They are prohibited from using violence on protestors, but if any protestor resorts to a violent act, they can arrest them or use force. Last year in Georgia, many protestors were harmed by Police officers during a protest. It is important for a protest to be non-violent, as a violent protest will not be good for bringing more people to your side.
What are some current protests?
There are many protests going on right now in the United States and in other countries. The Israel-Gaza conflict, for example, has sparked countless protests around the world and continues to do so. Additionally, people have been protesting against President Trump’s policies and issues regarding the environment.
Does protesting really help?
Of course. While it may feel like current movements are having little to no success, it must be said that large movements take many years. The Civil Rights movement, arguably the largest movement in the United States, lasted around fifteen years. Protests can be successful in the short term as well, as they influence public opinion. Gathering more people pressures the world’s decision makers, which will lead to success in the future. In the Israel-Gaza conflict, for example, it has found some success with boycotts. Since 2023, protestors have stopped supporting certain companies such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, and The Coca-Cola Company. These boycotts have seen a bit of success. Starbucks has experienced a significant loss in market value, according to the Business & Human Rights Resource Center. While boycotts are not the only reason that Starbucks has lost money, it is still a major factor. Remember, there are a multitude of ways to show support for a movement.
Protesting has always been a powerful tool for people to make their voices heard and to push for change in a country or in the world. It continues to play a role in shaping society today, through marches, sit-ins, boycotts, petitions, and more. While progress takes time, the history of the United States shows that protesting leads to significant change. In a divided world, protesting shows that people can come together and stand up for what they believe in.
Author bio: Uthman Guadalupe is a Latino Muslim college student with a passion for history and art. He is an assistant Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach and freelance illustrator. He is fluent in Spanish and lives with his family in Maryland where he also enjoys playing video games and binging shows.
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