Protect the Protest: Using Our Rights to Freedom of Assembly and Expression
Investigate the concept of protesting as a tool for social change, as well as how the freedom to protest is under threat.
990 enrolled on this course
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
1 hour100% online
How it works
Protect the Protest: Using Our Rights to Freedom of Assembly and Expression
Examine the power of protest and its part in protecting human rights
Protesting is a powerful tool for promoting and defending human rights, used throughout history to change mindsets and agendas.
On this three-week course from Amnesty International, you’ll investigate the power of protest as a force for change and explore current challenges to the right to protest.
Explore our fundamental right to protest
Protest has a long history across the UK. Things we take for granted today, such as an eight-hour work day or a woman’s right to vote, were the result of protesters standing up for their beliefs and speaking out.
On this course, you’ll learn what is meant by our right to protest and examine protest within the UK and around the world.
With this overview, you’ll be able to define freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, and discuss the right to protest within historical and global contexts.
Identify challenges and restrictions to the right to protest
Many acts of protest, throughout history and today, have been met with repression, punishment, and prevention measures.
You’ll examine the steps taken to limit protests, including criminalisation and digital restrictions. You’ll also learn how proportionate policing is key to protecting and upholding our right to protest.
With this knowledge, you’ll be able to explain how individual experiences and perspectives of protest can differ and the reasons why.
Investigate how political and social activism can help defend the right to protest
In the final week of this course, you’ll focus on how you can defend the right to protest, learning practical tips and ideas for organisation and participation.
By the end of this course, you’ll have a broad understanding of protest as a human right, and have gained the tools to feel empowered to take part in a protest yourself.
Syllabus
Week 1
What is the right to protest?
Welcome to the course
Protest allows people to air grievances, express opinions, call for change and publicly demand accountability. This is especially important for those who are poorly represented or marginalised.
Introduction to the right to protest
Protests are an important way for people to come together and generate public debate and political engagement.
The power of protest
Protests can have a lasting impact on those who attend, their targets and society at large.
Celebration of success
Congratulations! You have successfully completed the first week of the Protect the Protest course.
Week 2
What are the challenges to the Right to Protest?
Challenges to our right to protest
In this week of the course, you will learn about how the right to protest is threatened and interfered with by new laws, undue restrictions by authorities and problematic policing approaches.
Restrictions on the right to protest
You have already learned that restrictions on the right to protest are sometimes justified if they pass the three-part test, but all too often states violate the right to protest with undue restrictions.
The responsibility of the police
In the handling of public assemblies, police and law enforcement have the duty to facilitate and protect the right to protest.
Celebration of success
Congratulations! You have successfully completed the second week of the Protect the Protest course.
Week 3
How can the right to protest be defended?
Feeling inspired to protest
In this final week of the course, you will focus on different ways you can defend the right to protest, and be equipped with practical tips on how to organise or participate in a protest.
Protesting
There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to protests. They need to be assessed case by case. The following tips are intended for protests with clear risks or threats. Not all will apply to your context.
Celebration of success
We hope the course fulfilled your expectations! Take this last quiz to check what you have learnt and then find out about what you can do next to continue your learning journey.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Describe the scope of the right to protest
- Reflect on the power of protest
- Summarise the challenges to the right to protest around the UK
- Identify how people experience violations of the right to protest differently
- Identify responsible and rights-respecting policing practises
- Apply what you have learned and feel empowered to attend a protest
- Engage with actions to defend the right to protest
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for everyone who wants to understand their right to protest. It is suitable for anyone who wants to learn more about key human rights within the UK and around the world.
Who will you learn with?
Who developed the course?
Amnesty International UK
We are Amnesty International. We speak out for anyone and everyone whose freedom and dignity are under threat.
Ways to learn | Buy this course | Subscribe & save | Limited access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choose the best way to learn for you! | $109/one-off payment | $244.99 for a whole year Automatically renews | Free |
| Fulfill your current learning need | Develop skills to further your career | Sample the course materials | |
| Access to this course | tick | tick | Access expires 5 Nov 2024 |
| Access to 1,000+ courses | cross | tick | cross |
| Learn at your own pace | tick | tick | cross |
| Discuss your learning in comments | tick | tick | tick |
| Certificate when you're eligible | Printed and digital | Digital only | cross |
Cancel for free anytime |
Ways to learn
Choose the best way to learn for you!
Subscribe & save
$244.99 for a whole year
Automatically renews
Develop skills to further your career
- Access to this course
- Access to 1,000+ courses
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Digital certificate when you're eligible
Cancel for free anytime
Buy this course
$109/one-off payment
Fulfill your current learning need
- Access to this course
- Learn at your own pace
- Discuss your learning in comments
- Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible
Limited access
Free
Sample the course materials
- Access expires 5 Nov 2024
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades) Sale price available until 31 October 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply. | |||
Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)
Sale price available until 31 October 2024 at 23:59 (UTC). T&Cs apply.
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- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
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Map your progress
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- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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