Protesting, the way to express your opinion on an objection or get word out on something that you think should be. With many different issues in our world today, protesting seems to be one of the more effective ways to support the cause.

With one of the most recent protests happening what seems like just next door.

Some students from the Utica Academy of International Studies were suspended during the nationwide school walkout on March 14 to reminisce on the Parkland, Florida at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy that happened on February 14. The students were suspended for violating a rule that says students cannot show political messages on boards during a school event.

           The student’s suspensions were erased from their records after The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) saw the suspensions as a violation of the first amendment that allows people to assemble peacefully and express free speech.

           “I think that if anyone has the need to protest, they should do it with respect and do it peacefully,” sophomore Reilly Asher said.

           Protesting has come a long way since its origination during the 1960s in America. Back then, most of the protests that occurred involved The Civil Rights Movement, The Women’s Movement, and even a Gay Rights Movement. Most of America during the time disapproved of most of these different changes to the society. But looking at things now, African Americans have rights the same as everyone else, discrimination based on gender is now banned, and recently same-sex marriage became legal in all 50 states back in 2015.

           “As long as it done legally, I have no problem with people protesting,” sophomore Kevin Kwasnik said.

           Protesting is also gaining more popularity in the states. One of the largest protests ever in American history occurred last year, with a calculated 4.15 million participants in the Women’s March in 2017. In March 2018, the march had an estimated 2 million who participated domestically.

           Students also can become involved with the protesting stage.

After the Parkland, Florida incident, a junior from the school, Cameron Kasky, announced the “March for Our Lives.”

The theme of the march involved gun violence control and had a turnout of almost 2 million people for the event.

           Protesting can be a good thing for you and your community if you have a purpose, have support, and do everything legally.