New york: Protest is a fundamental right, a form of free expression, and a critical means of dissent. Enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, protest is a vital component of democratic societies and a means of addressing issues in non-democratic societies. Historically, protests have been instrumental in securing many rights, such as weekends, fair pay, unions, and women's right to vote.
According to Global Voices, despite the legal foundation for the right to protest, peaceful demonstrations are often curtailed or prohibited, with protesters depicted as illegitimate. Environmental protesters face vilification as eco-terrorists, racial justice protesters are derided as thugs or anarchists, and government critics are dismissed as unpatriotic foreign agents.
Protest has become increasingly complex, embracing various forms and issues, sometimes raising ethical questions. It can be exploited by groups aiming to curtail others' rights, and violence often erupts-sometimes in response to state violence, sometimes for other reasons. Beyond marching, chanting, or waving signs, protest can manifest as online organizing, boycotts, songs, art, and politically driven pranks.
Many governments employ political and discursive attacks to discredit protesters, with some responding to peaceful protests with violence, exacerbating situations. In July 2024, the Bangladeshi government under then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina responded violently to student protests, leading to approximately 1,400 deaths and the eventual fall of the Hasina government. Similarly, in August 2025, Indonesian police violently disrupted a peaceful student protest, resulting in a bystander's death. This incident sparked a nationwide movement opposing official violence. Comparable instances occurred with Gen-Z protests across India, Nepal, Kenya, Albania, Madagascar, Peru, and more.
Curtailing peaceful protest often signals a democracy in decline or under threat. However, these cases also highlight that organized protests can be a formidable force for social change.
This spotlight seeks to explore the multifaceted nature of protest, the tactics states use to delegitimize and suppress them, and the intricate relationship between protest and democracy. Donations to the "Protest in Democracy" spotlight issue will help provide more in-depth coverage.
Each donation of $15 or more by September 15 will receive an e-book copy of the complete spotlight issue. Stretch goals include additional narrative analysis, online panels, podcasts, and regional articles, enhancing insights into Indigenous Rights. Any funds not reaching a stretch goal will still support the Global Voices newsroom. Additional donations can support the translation of all stories through Lingua.