‘Our Silence Will Not Protect Us’: New Report Tracks Growing Assault on Protest Rights

July 16, 2025

The Advancement Project has released a report highlighting the alarming trend of anti-protest legislation in the United States, with 103 bills criminalizing protest introduced or passed since January 2024. The report, "Our Silence Will Not Protect Us: Tracking Recent Trends in Anti-Protest Laws," documents how these laws transform constitutionally protected activities into criminal offenses, particularly targeting movements led by people of color and marginalized communities. These anti-protest measures employ various strategies including redefining riots, increasing penalties, restricting protest locations, and targeting immigrant protesters through visa restrictions.

Who is affected

Protestors, particularly those from marginalized communities and people of color
Immigrant protesters and international students whose visa status can be threatened
College students participating in campus protests
Communities with large populations of people of color where these laws are often enforced
Democracy advocates and civil rights organizations
First Amendment practitioners across the United States
Global communities influenced by U.S. policy precedents

What action is being taken

The Advancement Project is publishing research and reports to document and raise awareness about anti-protest legislation
The Advancement Project is conducting media briefings to inform the public about threats to protest rights
Civil rights organizations are encouraging people to continue organizing and engaging in grassroots mobilization despite restrictive laws
Advocacy experts are promoting the building of supportive networks and rights education for protesters
Law enforcement agencies are using militarized responses to protests, including tear gas and flash-bang grenades

Why it matters

The criminalization of protest undermines a fundamental constitutional right enshrined in the First Amendment. These laws disproportionately impact communities of color and other marginalized groups, reinforcing patterns of racial profiling and discrimination. Executive Order 14188 has already caused almost 2,000 visa revocations for students participating in campus protests. Beyond domestic concerns, the U.S. influence on the global stage means these anti-protest laws could normalize rights violations internationally, contributing to authoritarian trends worldwide. The report frames this not merely as a legal issue but as a threat to democracy itself, as protest has historically been essential to social change in America.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer