How Protesting Creates Change-

Why We Should Use Our Right to Protest

As Americans we are constitutionally given the right to protest in public forums,

such as streets, sidewalks, and areas open to public speech and debates. Our right to
protest peacefully is important for implementing social, political and cultural change in the
United States. Protesting allows for a “safety valve” in which Americans can openly express
their opinions, instead of bottling up their emotions which can lead to violence. By
protesting, people can gather with like minded individuals to create change. Public
protesting promotes change that is beneficial for the short-term and long-term goals of
questioning the topic at hand.

The short-term benefits of protesting are immediate public attention, news

coverage, and awareness. Articles and social media posts allow individuals to observe
protesters and encourage people to question their own beliefs about the subject of the
protest. For example, the Black Lives Matter movement began with a social media hashtag
in 2013, which turned into massive protests across the United States within the last eight
years. Through protesting Black Lives Matter, protesters gained the attention of millions of
Americans and raised awareness of police brutality against African Americans. Civiqs, an
online survey research firm, found that 65 percent of people under 34 support the Black
Lives Matter movement, while just 19 percent oppose it. Protesting is powerful because it
paves the way to change. Once the public is aware of the topic being protested, the
government is more inclined to recognize the issue at hand. The long-term goals of
protesting can be implementing a new law, counteracting a law, or raising awareness of a
social behavior. As the Black Lives matter movement continues to raise awareness, they are
now focused on their long-term goal, defunding the police.

Throughout history we have observed ways that protest leads to change; however,
we must recognize that protesting is more than just marching down the street with signs. It
is important for us, as a society, to utilize our First Amendment right to protest. When we
recognize injustice in our society we should feel called to come together and question the
issue in order to accomplish a change.