Sample English Research Paper on Protests in America
People all over the world use protest to express their objection or disapproval of things happening around them. United States of America has experienced many protests regarding issues of human rights, rights of women and racial discrimination among other issues. It is important to look at the reasons why people protests and the effectiveness of protests in solving problems raised by protesters. It is believed that people protests to get back their rights or to object issues that cause harm in their lives. The main reasons range from finding an identity, peer pressure, opportunity hunters among many other reasons. This paper would discuss two protests that happened in the recent past in Washington DC and Boston.
In Washington, the protesters were members of Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (Lawrence).They argued that Dakota access pipeline could threaten their water supply if it leaks into Missouri river (Ablow). The group organized a peaceful demonstration in front of the federal courthouse to persuade the judge to stop the construction the pipeline (Prokop). Their protest could be described as successful because they made the judge not to rule on the matter immediately, but to give time for fact finding. If their grievances are genuine then the pipeline might be stopped (Roth).
The second protest occurred in Boston. The protesters were members of the English Defense League. They said that immigration had frustrated the people of Boston town (“Lincolnshire Reporter”). They stated that immigration had caused negative impact on the town and its people. Their main problem was illegal immigration and they called upon the agency in charge to ensure illegal immigration stops (Lincolnshire). There was a heightened police presence to ensure safety of the protesters and residents. They held big signs with the message “INVOKE ARTICLE 50 NOW SAVE OUR COUNTRY” .Many people did not join the protest because they viewed it as racist.
Annotated bibliography
Roth, Samantha-Jo. Hundreds of protesters gather in Washington DC for Dakota Access pipeline construction hearing. NewsLeader. August 24, 2016. Web. Available at < http://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/Hundreds-of-protesters-gather-in-Washington-DC-for-Dakota-Access-Pipeline-construction-decision-391237531.html>
The article discusses gathering of hundreds of protesters at federal courthouse to persuade the court not to allow construction of four-state oil pipeline because it might pose a threat to their water supply. They argued that the tribe was never consulted on a matter that would affect their lives.
Prokop, Rachael. How you can help standing rock activists stop the Dakota access pipeline. Greenpeace organization. September 9, 2016.Web. Available at < http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/how-you-can-help-standing-rock-activists-stop-dakota-access-pipeline-nodapl/>
The writer of the article tries to let the public know of what contributions they can make to support the standing rock people. He also creates awareness on the issue of contention and calls on those who believe that the natives were justified to protest to come out and support them
Ablow, Gail. What you need to know about the Dakota access pipeline protest. Common dreams. Sept 9, 2016. Web. Available at < http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/09/09/what-you-need-know-about-dakota-access-pipeline-protest>
Gail Ablow is also out to create awareness on the issue of contention at Dakota access pipeline. In this article, he talks about the process and progress that the group has made but agrees that much still remain to be done. He criticizes media houses that have been silent on the issue and give recognition to those that have given ongoing analysis and coverage of the issue.
Lincolnshire Reporter. Live: Boston anti-immigration EDL protest. Oct 1, 2016. Web. Available at < http://lincolnshirereporter.co.uk/2016/10/live-boston-anti-immigration-edl-protest/>
This is mainly an update by a reporter on what happens on the day of protest. He points out each progress the group makes, the presence of police to ensure safety as residents had raised concerns on the possibility of violence. According to this article, the protest started late than scheduled and also got sharp criticism from some members of the public.
Lincolnshire Reporter. EDL to stage Brexit and immigration protest in Boston. Aug 24, 2016. Web. Available at < http://lincolnshirereporter.co.uk/2016/08/edl-stage-brexit-immigration-protest-boston/>
The article highlights the planned protest. It was written before protest occurred but gave a few details on why the protest was to happen. It states that the protest would call on the government to reduce immigration into Boston town and start Brexit negotiations
Lincolnshire. Concerns over immigration protest in Boston, Lincolnshire. BBCNEWS. Oct 26, 2016. Web. Available at < http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-20039081>
The article addresses the possibility of violence during anti-immigration protest. There were fears that two groups of extreme views could clash and cause violence. Other people viewed the protest as racist and planned to hold a protest to counter anti-immigration group.
Lawrence Jen. Native American protest turns violent in North Dakota. BREITBART. Sept 5, 2016.Web. Available at < http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/09/05/native-american-protests-turn-violent-in-north-dakota/>
The article looks at violence that broke out between construction workers and natives. The natives were protesting. It resulted in injury of security guards and police dogs. The natives had filed a case challenging the construction and failed to understand how it can still continue while the matter was still before a court of law
Works Cited
Ablow, Gail. What you need to know about the Dakota access pipeline protest. Common dreams. Sept 9, 2016. Web. Available at < http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/09/09/what-you-need-know-about-dakota-access-pipeline-protest>
Lincolnshire Reporter. Live: Boston anti-immigration EDL protest. Oct 1, 2016. Web. Available at < http://lincolnshirereporter.co.uk/2016/10/live-boston-anti-immigration-edl-protest/>
Lawrence, Jen. Native American protest turns violent in North Dakota. BREITBART. Sept 5, 2016.Web. Available at < http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/09/05/native-american-protests-turn-violent-in-north-dakota/>
Lincolnshire. Concerns over immigration protest in Boston,Lincolnshire. BBCNEWS. Oct 26,2016. Web. Available at < http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-20039081>
Lincolnshire Reporter. Live: Boston anti-immigration EDL protest. Oct 1, 2016. Web. Available at < http://lincolnshirereporter.co.uk/2016/10/live-boston-anti-immigration-edl-protest/>
Prokop, Rachael. How you can help standing rock activists stop the Dakota access pipeline. Greenpeace organization. September 9, 2016.Web. Available at <http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/how-you-can-help-standing-rock-activists-stop-dakota-access-pipeline-nodapl/>
Roth, Samantha-Jo. Hundreds of protesters gather in Washington DC for Dakota Access pipeline construction hearing. NewsLeader. August 24, 2016. Web. Available at < http://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/Hundreds-of-protesters-gather-in-Washington-DC-for-Dakota-Access-Pipeline-construction-decision-391237531.html>