A PROTEST HISTORY OF THE U.S. | A Busboys and Poets Books Presentation
Date and Time
May 6, 2025 6:00 pm
Location
450K
450 K St NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001
May 6, 2025 6:00 pm
450K
Join us to explore 400 years of protest and resistance in US history–and what the unsung heroes of social movements past can teach us about navigating our chaotic world
In this timely new book in Beacon's successful ReVisioning History series, professor Gloria Browne-Marshall delves into the history of protest movements and rebellion in the United States. Beginning with Indigenous peoples' resistance to European colonization and continuing through to today's climate change demonstrations, Browne-Marshall expands how to think about protest through sharing select historical moments and revealing the role of key players involved in those efforts.
Drawing upon legal documents, archival material, government documents and secondary sources, A Protest History of the United States gives voice to those who pushed back against the mistreatment of others, themselves, and in some instances planet Earth. Browne-Marshall highlights stories of individuals from all walks of life, backgrounds, and time periods who helped bring strong attention to their causes. Those examples of protest include those of Wahunsenacock, more commonly known to history as Chief Powhatan, who took on English invaders in pre-colonial America in 1607; legendary boxer Muhammad Ali's refusal to fight in Vietnam and appealed all the way to the US Supreme Court; and David Buckel, LGBTQ+ rights lawyer and environmental activist who protested against fossil fuels by committing self-immolation in 2018.
Regardless of whether these protests accomplished their end goals, Browne-Marshall reminds us that not only is dissent meaningful and impactful but is an essential tool for eliciting long lasting change.
Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is joining us on the Busboys stage alongside nationally respected political strategist and public affairs executive Raul Alvillar to discuss how her book "thoughtfully demonstrates that protest is essential to the origins of the US, an unbroken thread from the Powhatan to George Floyd” (Herb Boyd, American Book Award recipient and author of Black Detroit: A People's History of Self-Determination). Copies of the book will be available for purchase during and after the event, and Browne-Marshall will be signing following the program.
This event is free and open to all. Our program begins at 6:00 pm, and will be followed by an audience Q&A. Copies of A PROTEST HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES will be available for purchase before and after the event. Please note that this event is IN PERSON and WILL be livestreamed.
We ask that guests RSVP in order to receive direct updates about the event from Busboys and Poets Books
Gloria J. Browne-Marshall is a writer, educator, legal advocate, and playwright. She is a professor of Constitutional Law and Africana Studies at John Jay College (CUNY) was a Resident Fellow at the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School, as well as a Visiting Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School. She won the 2024 American Bar Association Silver Gavel Award. Her books include She Took Justice: The Black Woman, Law, and Power, The Voting Rights War, and Race, Law, and American Society.
Raul Alvillar has two decades of experience in external affairs, strategic planning, community relations and political affairs. He also served in the Obama administration as the associate director of the White House's Office of Public Engagement, where he was interim LGBT liaison and the liaison between the White House and influencers. Raul’s other appointments include Senior Advisor and Congressional Relations Officer to Secretary Shaun Donovan at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. While there, he advised senior officials regarding issues related to housing, sustainable communities and promise zones. He also served as HUD's liaison to national, state and local elected officials.
As the first Hispanic National Political Director at the Democratic National Committee, Raul led the political strategy and managed the organization's relationships at the national, state and local levels. Raul also served as a strategic consultant, bringing his experience and knowledge to multiple Fortune 100 and 500 companies.
Additionally, Raul served on the Uber Diversity Council to help add communities of color to its workforce at the senior level. He often can be seen on FOX News bringing his unique insight to a wide range of political topics.
