Student protest is a proud democratic tradition that empowers students to raise awareness and bring attention to important issues. Student protests can take a variety of forms, from walkouts to sit-ins to rallies. They can also include boycotts and social media campaigns. Students have used their voice to demand everything from better pay for janitors (at the University of Miami and Georgetown in the 2000s) to an end to ROTC on campus (at Harvard in 1969).
While it is important to keep the focus on the issue at hand, a little creativity can help your protest reach more people. Organize a march or rally with signs that convey your message in a way that is easy to understand, and use social media to spread the word. Try to keep your demonstrations civil, and never threaten violence or destruction.
Be sure to respect your school’s laws and policies on free speech. Your school may impose what are called “time, place, and manner restrictions” on your speech, but they must be reasonable and content- and viewpoint-neutral. For example, a school may not prohibit loud amplification during times when classes are in session unless it can demonstrate that this will not disturb other students or prevent them from hearing classroom lectures.
Similarly, your school cannot prevent you from using sticks to hold up your sign or make it easier for other people to see it. It can, however, keep you from interfering with law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties. It may also require you to keep your sign within a designated public forum, such as an event with an invited speaker.
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