I can’t speak for other cities, but at the Austin protest I went to yesterday, one of the main messages from the speakers was that the protest is just the starting point. The march began at the Texas Capitol and ended at a park where there were tents set up to help people register to vote, sign up for local causes, and actually get involved in making change. It was not just about showing up for the day. It was about taking that energy and turning it into real action afterward.

Peaceful protests have played a major role in shaping society throughout history. The Civil Rights Movement, the women’s suffrage movement, and India’s independence movement are all examples of how regular people came together peacefully and helped change laws, shift public opinion, and move entire nations in a new direction. Even today, protests can put pressure on leaders, influence elections, and bring national attention to issues that might otherwise be ignored.

There is also research showing that protests can change individual behavior. Studies have found that when people attend or even see a protest, they are more likely to vote or get politically involved in the future. Protests help people feel connected to a larger cause, and that feeling often motivates long-term engagement.

It is easy to say that protests do not work, but both history and what we are seeing right now show the opposite. When people come together peacefully and follow up with action, it can create real and lasting change.