Protest Americans People Government Important Planning Things Works

In the United States, "freedom of speech" lets Americans say almost anything they want to without needing to "fear" (be scared of) the government. Many Americans use this freedom of speech to protest things that they don't like. Rallies are common, especially around "city hall" (the building where city government works), near "federal buildings" (buildings where the national government works), and on university "campuses" (the areas around university buildings). But there are many other ways for Americans to protest.

Often Americans write "protest songs," which are songs about an important issue that Americans are opposed to. Some of these songs become very popular and are played on the radio for years, even after the things that they are written about are no longer important issues.

A "teach-in" is a type of "non-violent" (where no one is hurt or killed) protest where universities provide a "forum" (a place to share ideas) for people to discuss an important issue, sharing the reasons why they support or oppose something.

A "sit-in" is another type of non-violent protest where people who are opposed to something sit down in a particular area, usually a government office or a business, and "refuse" (won't do something) to leave until something is changed. For example, people might have a sit-in in the middle of a street in a poor neighborhood to show the need for more "affordable housing" (less expensive housing that people have enough money to pay for).

Sometimes protesters will have a "hunger strike" where they refuse to eat (or sometimes drink) until something is changed. They usually get a lot of media coverage and in that way they can bring attention to their "cause" (issue, or the thing that they are opposing).