Protests are the driving force behind powerful social movements, exposing injustice and abuse, demanding accountability and inspiring people to continue to hope for a better future. But governments and others in power are constantly finding new ways to suppress protest and silence critical voices. With global trends towards the militarization of police forces, increasing misuse of force by law enforcement at protests and shrinking civic space, it is harder than ever to stay safe while speaking out.
On September 30, Gen Z-led protests in Morocco started peacefully but authorities responded with unlawful force and mass arbitrary arrests. Video footage reviewed by Amnesty International shows security forces deliberately driving vehicles at crowds, putting lives at risk and escalating violence. This is a serious violation of the right to freedom of assembly and should be independently investigated.
Across the US, lawmakers have introduced more than 52 bills to crack down on protests since 2016, when the ICNL first created its Tracker. 2025 is on pace to be the second-worst year for anti-protest initiatives in decades.
Last year, Columbia engineering student Mahmoud Khalil was one of the leading organizers of the campus’s successful demonstrations against the war in Gaza. But he isn’t going to join this year’s protests, in part because he fears that if he does, he will be arrested. He is also worried that his upcoming visa renewal will be impacted by a recent immigration crackdown. Despite these concerns, Khalil is still fighting to ensure that his voice is heard.