Protests have been a part of American history since the founding of the country. From civil rights to anti-war movements, Americans have taken to the streets to demand change. Here are some of the largest protests in America history.
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963)
The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom is one of the most famous protests in American history. On August 28, 1963, more than 250,000 people gathered in Washington, D.C. to demand civil and economic rights for African Americans. The march culminated in Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
The Women's March (2017)
The Women's March was a protest that took place on January 21, 2017, the day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Millions of people around the world marched to protest against the Trump administration and its policies on women's rights, immigration, and more.
The March for Our Lives (2018)
The March for Our Lives was a student-led protest against gun violence in the United States. The protest was organized in response to the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were killed. The march took place on March 24, 2018, and was attended by hundreds of thousands of people across the country.
The Women's Strike for Equality (1970)
The Women's Strike for Equality was a protest organized by the National Organization for Women (NOW). The protest took place on August 26, 1970, the 50th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. The protest called for equal rights for women in areas such as employment, education, and reproductive rights.
The March Against Fear (1966)
The March Against Fear was a protest organized by civil rights activists James Meredith and Martin Luther King Jr. The march began on June 6, 1966, in Memphis, Tennessee, and was intended to be a 220-mile walk to Jackson, Mississippi. The march was prompted by the shooting of Meredith, the first African American to attend the University of Mississippi.
The Million Man March (1995)
The Million Man March was a protest organized by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. The march took place on October 16, 1995, in Washington, D.C., and was attended by an estimated 1.5 million African American men. The march called for unity and self-help among African Americans.
The Anti-Vietnam War Protests (1965-1973)
The anti-Vietnam War protests were a series of protests that took place during the Vietnam War. The protests began in 1965 and continued until the end of the war in 1973. The protests were organized by a variety of groups and called for an end to the war.
The March for Science (2017)
The March for Science was a protest organized to promote science and scientific research. The protest took place on April 22, 2017, and was attended by hundreds of thousands of people around the world. The protest was organized in response to the Trump administration's policies on climate change and scientific research.
The Freedom Riders (1961)
The Freedom Riders were a group of civil rights activists who rode buses through the South to protest segregation. The rides began in 1961 and were organized by the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). The Freedom Riders faced violent opposition from segregationists and many were arrested.
The Occupy Wall Street Protests (2011)
The Occupy Wall Street protests were a series of protests that began on September 17, 2011, in New York City. The protests were organized to protest economic inequality and the influence of corporations on government. The protests spread to other cities across the United States and around the world.
The March for LGBT Rights (1979)
The March for LGBT Rights was a protest organized by the National Gay Task Force. The march took place on October 14, 1979, in Washington, D.C. and was the first national march for LGBT rights. The march called for an end to discrimination against LGBT people and for the passage of laws protecting their rights.
The March on Selma (1965)
The March on Selma was a protest organized by civil rights activists to demand voting rights for African Americans. The march began on March 7, 1965, and was intended to go from Selma, Alabama, to the state capital in Montgomery. The march was met with violent opposition from state and local authorities, but eventually led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
The March for Life (1974)
The March for Life is an annual protest organized by pro-life activists to protest abortion. The march began in 1974 and takes place every year in Washington, D.C. The march calls for an end to abortion and for the protection of the unborn.
The Immigration March (2006)
The Immigration March was a series of protests organized in 2006 to protest against proposed legislation that would have criminalized illegal immigration. The protests were organized by immigrant rights groups and were attended by millions of people across the United States.
The Poor People's Campaign (1968)
The Poor People's Campaign was a protest organized by Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The campaign was intended to address poverty and economic injustice in the United States. The campaign included a march on Washington, D.C., but was cut short by King's assassination.
The March Against Monsanto (2013)
The March Against Monsanto was a protest organized to protest against the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food production. The protest took place on May 25, 2013, and was attended by millions of people across the United States and around the world.
The Bonus Army Protests (1932)
The Bonus Army Protests were a series of protests organized by World War I veterans to demand payment of a bonus that was promised to them by the government. The protests began in May 1932 and culminated in a march on Washington, D.C. in July. The protests were met with violent opposition from the government, and many protesters were injured and arrested.
The March Against Police Brutality (1992)
The March Against Police Brutality was a protest organized by the National Black United Front. The march took place on October 24, 1992, in Washington, D.C. and was attended by thousands of people. The march called for an end to police brutality and for the prosecution of police officers who committed crimes against African Americans.
The March for Our Rights (1957)
The March for Our Rights was a protest organized by civil rights activists to demand equal protection under the law. The march took place on August 28, 1957, in Washington, D.C. and was attended by thousands of people. The march called for an end to segregation and for the protection of civil rights.
The Black Lives Matter Protests (2014-present)
The Black Lives Matter protests began in 2014 in response to the killing of African American teenager Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. The protests have continued in response to other incidents of police brutality against African Americans. The protests call for an end to police violence against African Americans and for the recognition of the value of black life.