A protest is a public act of objection or dissent, typically a cooperative effort where individuals voice their opinions to influence public opinion, government policy, or enact desired changes. These demonstrations vary widely, from individual statements to mass movements, and when systematic and nonviolent, they can evolve into powerful civil resistance campaigns. Governments often respond with restrictions like permits or increased militarization of protest policing, sometimes leading to civil disobedience or clashes with counter-protesters.
Historically, nonviolent activism, exemplified by the 1963 March on Washington during the US Civil Rights Movement, tends to generate favorable media coverage and shifts in public opinion. Protests have been pivotal throughout history, escalating into significant events like the French Revolution of 1789, Mohandas Gandhi's 1930 Salt March, and the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, profoundly shaping political and social landscapes worldwide.