Does protest always lead to change?

1. Look at two names and discuss what you know about these people.
 Mahsa Amini
 George Floyd

2. Read the texts about the people from ex. 1.

Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman, was arrested by Iranian religious morality
police for not wearing her hijab properly. After the arrest, she was transferred to a
hospital where she died soon after. She was claimed to have been brutally beaten by the
police, which resulted in her hospitalization. The event sparked outrage and thousands
of protesters came out onto the streets intending to topple the government. But the
protest went far beyond Iran, and people around the world have united in an attempt to
change the narrative around women’s rights.

George Floyd, a black man, was arrested and then killed by a white police officer in a
US city. The event set in motion a series of protests that activated the Black Lives
Matter movement. Although the movement itself dates back to 2013, the incident
created momentum for people across the globe to force a debate about the rights of
black people. The activists challenged the status quo on police brutality and racism and
managed to hold the police accountable by having the guilty officer convicted.

3. Discuss the questions.

 What triggered the protests? What else can make people want to protest?
 What do you think people wanted to achieve when they came out onto the
streets?
 What might a successful protest result in?
 Do you think the protests in ex. 2 were successful? Can you think of any other
examples of protests that generated a lasting change?
 Have you ever participated in a protest? What was it about?
 Does protest always lead to change?

4. Read the sentences and complete the missing verbs. The first letters are
provided.
a) It’s essential to acknowledge even a minor victory as it can c…………..
momentum and change people’s perspective.
b) A local protest can never s.....................in motion a global change.
c) F.................a big debate always starts with a small but concrete step.
d) There is nothing activists can do to h......................big corporations accountable
for their unethical practices.
e) People that want to c....................the narrative shouldn’t be afraid to push
boundaries even if everyone says it’s impossible.

5. Choose one statement from ex. 4. that you agree with and elaborate on it.

6. You are going to watch a video about what makes protests successful
in generating lasting change. Watch the first part of the video
[https://youtu.be/c_g1BMVFcuw] (to 00:57) and answer the questions.
a) What can protests do?
b) Are protests always sufficient? Give an example.

7. Watch the second part of the video (from 00:58) which talks about three
strategies to generate lasting change and choose a statement from ex. 4.
that summarizes each strategy best.
a) Expand the frame of the possible.
b) Choose a defining fight
c) Find an early win.

8. Discuss the questions.

 Do you agree that protests alone are insufficient when people want to create lasting
change?
 Why do you think so many protests end up being unsuccessful?
 What do you think about the saying: “The spirit of the protest is powerful. So is
showing up after the protest.”?
 Does protest always lead to change?

 How can people make sure protests generate lasting change?

 Should people be taught how to protest successfully?

9. Look at the notes of an activist who wants to change the narrative on

animal rights. Discuss whether these strategies and means are sufficient
and if you think it will be successful.
Strategies:
 expand the frame of the possible – animals have the same rights as humans
 choose a defining fight – forbid exploitation of animals for entertainment
 find an early win – make a city council pass a law that prohibits using animals in
parks and other public areas for profit (horse rides, photoshoots with exotic animals,
etc.)

Means:
 organize a march
 spread the information online (social media
campaign, email newsletters)
 ask people to sign a petition