Guiding Questions

• When does protest become a moral necessity?

• Can disruption be a form of justice?

• Why do those in power often fear the voice of the people?

What Is Protest?

Protest is the public expression of resistance or demand for change.

It takes many forms:

• Marches

• Strikes

• Sit-ins

• Boycotts

• Art, music, and speeches

• Online activism and viral campaigns

Protest is not always polite. It is often loud, urgent, and uncomfortable — because injustice rarely listens to silence.

When Protest Becomes Powerful

Throughout history, protest has been a force for justice:

• The Civil Rights Movement in the U.S.

• Anti-apartheid protests in South Africa

• Women’s suffrage movements worldwide

• Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance in India

• Pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square, Hong Kong, Iran

• Climate strikes led by youth activists

These movements were led by ordinary people who dared to say no — and demand better.

Philosophical Perspectives

John Stuart Mill – Liberty and Dissent

Mill believed freedom of speech and protest is essential to truth. Without challenge, power becomes arrogant and ideas grow stale.

Frantz Fanon – Resistance and Dignity

Fanon argued that protest is not just political — it’s a reclaiming of humanity by the oppressed. Silence equals submission.

Angela Davis – Freedom Is a Constant Struggle

Davis teaches that protest is ongoing, not one-time. Justice is not a destination, but a continuous battle against systemic power.

Protest vs. Law

Many protests break laws — blocking traffic, trespassing, or defying orders.

But:

• Does that make them wrong?

• Are unjust laws worth obeying?

• Is peace more important than justice?

Governments often label protestors as “troublemakers” — even when history later calls them heroes.

Two Perspectives

Order First

Society needs stability. Protest should be limited, controlled, and respectful.

Justice First

If the system is unjust, respectability is not enough. Disruption may be the only path to change.

A Thought Experiment

Imagine you live in a country where:

• The law forbids criticizing the government

• Elections are rigged

• Police violence is common

Would you still obey the law? Or join those who protest, even at great risk?

What if no one else stood up — would you still try?

Risks and Rewards

Protest can lead to:

• Arrest

• Job loss

• Injury or death

• Misrepresentation by media

But also:

• Legal reform

• Public awareness

• Shared solidarity

• Moral awakening

Change is never guaranteed — but silence guarantees nothing.

Tools of Peaceful Resistance

• Nonviolence – the moral high ground

• Symbols and art – to stir hearts and minds

• Coalition building – across race, class, and faith

• Global visibility – through media and networks

• Courage – even when the outcome is uncertain

Reflect and Discuss

• What issues today make you want to speak out?

• Is it more important to follow the law or follow your conscience?

• Can one person’s protest spark a movement?

Suggested Readings

• Angela Davis – Freedom Is a Constant Struggle

• Frantz Fanon – The Wretched of the Earth

• Martin Luther King Jr. – Why We Can’t Wait

• Rebecca Solnit – Hope in the Dark

• Howard Zinn – A People’s History of the United States