Protests can be a powerful political tool for enacting change.

Currently, protests are happening in the United States, Hong Kong, and Canada, among others.

Despite each demonstration stemming from different issues, many have common threads, like speaking out against racial injustice and calling for systemic reform.

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From the Civil Rights Movement's the March on Washington to the Arab Spring of early 2000s, protests have left powerful marks upon the world.

Historically, protests have served as an outlet for marginalized groups to articulate their frustrations — and make their demands known. One such example is New York's Stonewall riots, which kicked off the modern Pride movement and mainstream LGBTQ visibility.

Today, protests like those over the death of George Floyd are ongoing, even in the midst of a global pandemic. Protesters around the world are calling for police reform and an end to systemic racism. Several cities have reported violence against reporters and protesters, and many have imposed curfews and boarded up businesses following accounts of looting.

Ivan De Luce contributed to a previous version of this article.