We the People. Man, that term gets thrown around a lot. It’s almost always used to invoke personal rights—We the People are protected by our Constitution against government tyranny, granted the right to speak freely, ensured freedom of the press, freedom to worship as we choose. But I’ve rarely seen an article about the responsibilities We the People carry.

We are not just beneficiaries of democracy—we are its guardians. Throughout history, out-of-control narcissists have tested its limits: Senator Joseph McCarthy’s witch hunts, George Wallace’s segregationist demagoguery, Richard Nixon’s corruption. Yet democracy survived—not by accident, but because We the People fought back.

Margaret Chase Smith’s "Declaration of Conscience" broke McCarthy’s grip. Wallace’s bigotry was met with the Selma marches, where protesters bled for voting rights. Nixon’s abuses collapsed under the weight of millions in the streets and a press that refused to look the other away. These weren’t just victories; they were proof:Protest is the People’s responsibility.

Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. The Founders didn’t say, ‘We the Government’ or ‘We the Politicians’—they said ‘We the People’ because they knew power unchecked by the public becomes poison. Protest isn’t chaos; it’s the immune system of a free society. When we abandon that duty, democracy sickens. When we embrace it, we honor the raw, messy, indispensable truth: We the People don’t just inherit rights—we defend them.

Protests are not uniquely American. These are among the most significant, successful protests in American and world history.

1. Earth Day (USA, 1970)
   When/Where: April 22, 1970, United States
   Why: Nationwide demonstration to raise awareness about environmental issues and pollution.
   Results: Led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and passage of the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, launching the modern environmental movement.
2. Million Man March (USA, 1995)
   When/Where: October 16, 1995, Washington, D.C., United States
   Why: Called for unity, renewal, and responsibility among Black men, highlighting racial injustice and economic disparity.
   Results: Inspired civic engagement, increased voter registration, and strengthened community organizing within Black communities.
3. Tiananmen Square Protests (China, 1989)
   When/Where: April–June 1989, Beijing, China
   Why: Pro-democracy movement demanding political reform, freedom of speech, and government accountability.
   Results: Brutally suppressed by the government; hundreds killed. The "Tank Man" image became a global symbol of resistance, inspiring future movements despite ongoing censorship.
4. Indian Farmers’ Protest (India, 2020–2021)
   When/Where: 2020–2021, India
   Why: Farmers opposed new agricultural laws they believed threatened their livelihoods.
   Results: After 18 months of sustained protest involving millions, the government repealed the controversial laws.
5. Montgomery Bus Boycott (USA, 1955–1956)
   When/Where: December 5, 1955 – December 20, 1956, Montgomery, Alabama, United States
   Why: Protested racial segregation on public buses following Rosa Parks’ arrest.
   Results: Supreme Court ruled bus segregation unconstitutional; energized the national Civil Rights Movement.
6. Sudanese Revolution (Sudan, 2019)
   When/Where: 2019, Sudan
   Why: Protests against economic hardship and authoritarian rule.
   Results: Ousted President Omar al-Bashir after 30 years in power, initiating a transition toward democracy.
7. March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (USA, 1963)
   When/Where: August 28, 1963, Washington, D.C., United States
   Why: Demanded civil and economic rights for African Americans.
   Results: Influenced passage of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965); site of Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech.
8. Anti-Apartheid Protests (South Africa, 1980s–1990s)
   When/Where: 1980s–1990s, South Africa and worldwide
   Why: Protested institutionalized racial segregation and oppression under apartheid.
   Results: International and domestic pressure led to the end of apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela as president.
9. The Salt March (India, 1930)
   When/Where: March–April 1930, India
   Why: Nonviolent protest against British salt tax and colonial rule.
   Results: Sparked mass civil disobedience, galvanized the Indian independence movement, and pressured Britain to negotiate, eventually leading to independence.
10. George Floyd Protests / Black Lives Matter (USA, 2020)
    When/Where: May 2020 onward, United States (nationwide)
    Why: Sparked by the murder of George Floyd, protesting police brutality and systemic racism.
    Results: Largest protest movement in U.S. history; led to police reforms in multiple cities, removal of Confederate monuments, and a global reckoning on racial justice.
    

We need one million people in the streets to stop Trump’s "Dictatorship Parade" on June 14th. If we flood the route with protesters, the spectacle collapses. This isn’t just about rights—it’s about duty.

We the People don’t have the luxury of silence when democracy is paraded as a joke. The Constitution doesn’t defend itself.

It’s not your right to protest—it’s your responsibility. Show up.