The right to protest

Democracy under threat

The right to protest is constitutionally protected and has been a hallmark of our democracy since the nation’s founding. Yet today, our First Amendment freedoms are under serious threat, as legislatures across the country—backed by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and fossil fuel companies—seek to criminalize dissent and silence protests.

Our constitutionally protected right to protest has long been central to democracy, yet First Amendment freedoms are now at serious risk. Legislatures nationwide, influenced by ALEC and fossil fuel companies, are working to stifle dissent and raise the cost of protest, making it increasingly risky for activists and BIPOC communities to oppose projects that threaten their communities. Since the 2017 Standing Rock Protest, more than 300 state-level anti-protest bills have been introduced, disproportionately impacting BIPOC communities. Recently, we’ve seen an increased use of “state terrorism” laws and aggressive prosecutorial and civil litigation tactics to deter activism.