Protest in America: From the Revolution to Today

From the Boston Tea Party to the March on Washington, protest has been a vital force in shaping American democracy. This program explores how communities across the nation have expressed their ideas, demanded inclusion, and influenced change through collective action.

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion featuring:

• Eric R. Schlereth, Professor of History and Head of the Department of History at The University of Texas at Dallas, on Revolutionary War protests and the roots of American dissent.
• Kelly Bergstrand, Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington, on how people organize and protest today.
• Brad E. Lucas, Associate Dean of Research & Graduate Studies and Professor of Rhetoric and Composition at Texas Christian University, on 20th-century protest movements and their legacy in American public life.

Together, these scholars will explore how protest has evolved—from petitions and pamphlets to marches and social media—and how it continues to shape civic participation and public discourse.

Step into history yourself: add your own reflection to our Protest Timeline Wall and take part in a symbolic “tea toss” connecting today’s civic expression with the earliest acts of American dissent.

This event is in-person only! Register below for a reminder email.

This Genealogy & Dallas History program is part of Dallas Public Library's 250 Years of Us: Reading America's Past, Writing Our Future, generously sponsored by the Friends of the Dallas Public Library and the General Levi Casey Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

Anyone can join our Amazing Race for Independence challenge and win sports tickets, State Park passes and more!