What is an example of a protest?

A protest is a public expression of protest against any governmental action of which the majority of its citizens strongly disapprove. Protests can be expressed in various ways, but most commonly feature marches, rallies, sit-ins, and other forms of visible defiance as means of expression. Among the latest large scale protest seen was the Women’s March that was held on 21st January 2017.

 

The Women's March held a worldwide demonstration which target different women's issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, racial injustice and LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights, health care reform, environmental activism, and many more. The primary march had place in Washington D.C on Saturday, the day after President Trump’s inauguration, and more than half a million people were participants. According to reports, a number of sister marches were also held in more than 650 other cities worldwide on the same day of the event with the total number of participants estimated to be over 5 million people around the world.

 

The Women's March showcased the speeches, musical performances, and protesters with their signs being painted creatively, and whose heads were covered with pink "pussy hats". This became the symbol of the march and the entire feminist movement. Although the march originated from the opposition against the election Donald Trump, it displayed a number of global issues that all women go through. The nonviolent protests that aimed at sending a firm message to all those that civil and human rights should be defended for.

 

No other event in the history of nonviolent activism had demonstrated the power of grassroots activism like the Women's March protests that happened throughout the world. The protests called forth subsequent demonstrations and fresh activist organizations. The movements affected several policymaking spheres. Accordingly, Women’s March 2017 had become one of the specific examples of how the immense, well-organized dissent could change the narrative and advance social change with regard to pressing issues. The heritage can now be found to fuel and produce new generations of activists in different parts of the world.