PROTEST: RESPECT IT, DEFEND IT, USE IT | Busboys and Poets Books

What would the world look like if we couldn’t express outrage against the systems we disagree with or support the changes we seek?

Our right to peaceful protest is under attack, and we must act now. 

Protest: Respect It, Defend It,Use It offers a powerful look at the role peaceful activism has played in advancing the public good—and shines a light on the urgent need to protect this democratic right. This is not a how-to guide. Rather, it is a celebration of what collective action can achieve, an invitation to be inspired, and a reminder that each of us has the capacity to make a difference.

Featuring more than 40 iconic campaigns from around the world, the book combines photos, artifacts, and memorable quotes to create a vivid testament to the power of public dissent. Guest essays from Jane Fonda, Tennessee Representative Justin Pearson, Dolores Huerta, Nemonte Nenquimo, and others reveal how protest shaped their own commitment to driving change. Through storytelling and first-hand reflection, readers are invited to witness, reflect, and engage in peaceful activism—right here, right now.

Published to coincide with the 250th anniversary of one of history’s most consequential acts of protest—the signing of the Declaration of Independence—this book is an invitation. It invites readers to learn about the creativity, courage, and impact of peaceful protest, to be inspired by those who came before, and to recognize that this essential democratic right belongs to everyone—now more than ever. 

Co-authors Annie Leonard and André Carothers are joining us on the Busboys stage alongside two local protest experts, Nadine Bloch and Deepa Padmanabha, to celebrate the release of this book and talk about the power of individuals coming together to make real change. Copies of the book will be available for purchase during and after the event, and the co-authors 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 PROTEST will be available for purchase before and after the event. Please note that this event is in person. 

We ask that guests RSVP in order to receive direct updates about the event from Busboys and Poets Books

Annie Leonard is a lifelong activist who has protested globally. She led Greenpeace US as Executive Director (2014–2023), created The Story of Stuff, co-launched the Jane Fonda Climate PAC, and campaigned against pollution. Annie frequently speaks and writes on environmental and democracy issues, including pollution, waste, consumerism, and climate change. She has appeared widely in the media, testified before Congress, and received honors such as an honorary degree from Vermont Law School and inclusion in Time magazine’s Heroes of the Environment.

André Carothers is an activist, writer, and organizer who has been involved in campaigns and protests on issues of climate change, human rights, environmental protection, and nuclear disarmament for over four decades. He worked for Greenpeace US for 13 years, including serving on the board of directors. He is the cofounder of the Rockwood Leadership Institute, a training organization for activists, and works as an organizational development consultant and coach for leaders in the social change sector. He has served as an adviser and board member of numerous organizations, including the Center for Investigative Reporting (which includes publications such as Mother Jones), International Rivers, the Center for Environmental Health, the Furthur Foundation, and Rainforest Action Network.

BOOK DETAILS

Protest 

Respect It, Defend It, Use It

By Annie Leonard and André Carothers

April 28, 2026 | Hardcover, 276 pages, $40

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