Counter-protest

A counter-protest is a protest action which takes place 1.3 United States

within the proximity of another protest to which the
counter-protest is in ideological opposition. The pur- 1.3.1 Counter-antiwar protests
poses of counter-protests can range from merely voicing
opposition to the objective of the other protest to actively Since the announcement of the impending invasion on
drawing attention from nearby media outlets away from Iraq in 2003, anti-war protests were met with counter-
the other protest toward the counter-protestors cause to protests by pro-war and socially-conservative groups such
actively seeking to disrupt the other protest by conict of as Protest Warrior.
a non-violent or violent nature.
In many countries where protests by various pressure 1.3.2 Counter-healthcare reform protests
groups are allowed, the nearby law enforcement installa-
tion may make it a priority to keep rival protestors as far After Barack Obama launched an initiative for healthcare
from each other as to avoid possible physical contact, and reform, protests against government and Congress mem-
legal contention often arises over whether the rival groups bers by Tea Party members at townhall meetings were
possess permits to gather and rally within short distance met with counter-protests by progressive/liberal activists
of each other. Often, rallies can be inltrated by rival and pro-labor unionists.
protestors for purposes ranging from distraction, disrup-
tion to merely asking critical questions of the leaders of
the rally or providing humorous or mocking diversions; 1.3.3 Counter-protests against the Westboro Bap-
the reactions of protestors to counter-protestors within tist Church
close proximity can often be violent and confrontational.
The Westboro Baptist Church, which achieved noto-
In some countries, governments can even sponsor riety for protesting homosexuality at various locations
counter-protesters who rally against opposition gures and events at which they were not invited, have been
and members. met with various counter-protests, including participation
from high school and college students when the church
members arrived to protest at their campuses.

1 By country
2 See also
1.1 Cuba
Hecklers veto
In Cuba, the various state-run organizations can orga-
nize violent pro-government rallies known as mitines de
repudio (repudiation meetings, often sponsored by the 3 References
CDR) against groups such as Ladies in White and help
in loading the opposition members into police buses di- [1] Cuba arrests Ladies in White, Christian Science Monitor
rected to a nearby jail.[1]

1.2 United Kingdom

Since World War II, protests by allegedly fascist, racist

or counter-religious organizations have often been met
by anti-racist or anti-fascist groups, many of which are
aligned with the Labour Party. Counter-protest activ-
ity has been ramped up against anti-Islamist or anti-
Muslim organizations since the September 11 attacks in
the United States.

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2 4 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

4 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

4.1 Text
Counter-protest Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-protest?oldid=571740874 Contributors: Rich Farmbrough, Toussaint,
BiH, Sadads, Khazar, R'n'B, Yobot, Travrsa, ClueBot NG and Anonymous: 1

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