Browne-Marshall urges action, warns against complacency in protest movements

Legal scholar and civil rights advocate Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, author of A Protest History of the United States, issued a stark warning about the dangers of complacency in social movements, urging Americans to recognize their role in shaping democracy through protest.

Speaking at the National Press Club’s Headliners book event May 29, Browne-Marshall stressed that activism has played a crucial role in securing freedoms that many take for granted. “We need to open our minds to the ways in which we can protest because a protest is not just about the march in the street,” she said.  

Browne-Marshall’s remarks underscored the historical significance of protest in the fight for civil rights, labor protections, and environmental justice. She emphasized that sustained activism is essential to ensuring that past gains are not lost.  

“I want people who read my book to be more respectful to the gains made by people who protested over the many, many years,” Browne-Marshall said. “I want readers to realize that they too can be protestors in large and small ways.”  

Browne-Marshall's message was clear: the rights and protections many enjoy today did not come without struggle, and they must not be taken for granted. She cautioned that relying on others to enact change can lead to regression.  

“If we don’t protest, if we think we can always outsource it to somebody else, we’re going to see far more than we lost already because it took a lot of different people doing any number of things,” Browne-Marshall warned.  

Browne-Marshall pointed to historical movements where ordinary individuals played pivotal roles. From the civil-rights marches of the 1960s to recent labor strikes and environmental demonstrations, she emphasized that widespread participation has always been the backbone of successful activism. Her remarks come at a time when voter turnout, civic engagement, and participation in demonstrations have faced fluctuations. She urged individuals not to underestimate their influence, whether through large-scale protests or small acts of resistance, in daily life.  

“We gain so much of what we take for granted through protests,” Browne-Marshall said. 

Browne-Marshall challenged the audience to reconsider what protest means, arguing that activism is not confined to marches or rallies. Rather, resistance can manifest in conversations, legal battles, social-media advocacy, and community organizing. Her call to action serves as a reminder that democracy is shaped by those who demand change. Her warning against complacency echoes the concerns of many historians who have documented periods in which freedoms eroded due to lack of resistance.  

“The fight for justice is not over,” Browne-Marshall said. “It requires people stepping up in ways big and small, and recognizing that no victory is permanent without continued effort.”  

In an era of political uncertainty, Browne-Marshall’s message was direct: change is only possible when people refuse to stand by in silence. Her remarks resonated with many in attendance, reinforcing the idea that activism has remained relevant today as it was decades ago.

It was Browne-Marshall's fourth appearance at the Club. "That is sort of like hosting five times at 'Saturday Night Live,' they should give you a robe or something," quipped NPC Board of Governors Member Steve Herman, chief national correspondent for Voice of America.