The Most Successful and Infamous Protests in U.S. History

The United States has a rich tradition of protests, and the right to gather and stand up for one’s beliefs is a deeply held part of our culture. In recent months, the importance of protesting has been highlighted as people take to the streets to make their voices heard in what has become an incredibly contentious political landscape. While recent protests have certainly gained a great deal of attention, it is also important to recall past protest efforts. After all, those brave men and women of previous generations paved the way for the protest traditions we now exercise. The following are just some of the more notable and infamous protests that have taken place on American soil.

The 1913 Women’s Suffrage Parade

It is hard to believe that women have only had the right to vote for less than 100 years. In 1913, 8,000 people marched on Washington in a parade that was intended to draw support for a constitutional amendment to allow women the right to vote. Tens of thousands of spectators, mostly male, clogged the parade route, and many of the marchers were harassed or assaulted, with little help from the police who were there to oversee the event. The behavior and police response led to Congressional hearings. Seven long years later, women were granted voting rights through the Nineteenth Amendment.

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

In 1963, Americans were deeply engaged in debate over civil rights and how to move our nation forward in light of disparities and violations against people of color. These tensions were highlighted by the March on Washington, where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech in front of an estimated 200,000 supporters. That event is said to have changed the course of the civil rights movement and paved the way for the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Moratorium Against the Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was one of the most divisive military actions in American history. In 1969, more than 500,000 people marched on Washington to protest American involvement in Vietnam. The event galvanized young people to take part in political efforts and prompted similar protest events across the nation and the world. Many people alive today still hold strong opinions on the matter and feel that the subject of Vietnam impacted the course of their lives.

These are just some of the protests that have enriched the American tradition of political action. Many more protests have taken place over the years, up to and including recent months. At Free at Last Bail Bonds, we fully support an individual’s right to gather and have their voice peacefully heard. We hope that protests will be civil, non-violent and in light of the law. However, should you or your family require bail bond services, we are always here to help. Reuniting families is and always has been our top priority.