protestors
People demanding change
Protestors is an alternative spelling of protesters—people who publicly demonstrate opposition to something: Protestors gathered outside the courthouse.
The -or spelling is less common but fully accepted.
Both forms appear in news coverage of marches, rallies, and civil disobedience.
Rhythmic group walk
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- rallyGathering for a cause
- picketPointed fence stake
- boycottOrganized economic protest
strike · sit-in · occupation · blockade · vigil · walkout · civil disobedience · hunger strike
Those who support causes
- campaignersPeople promoting a cause
- organizersThose who coordinate activities
- demonstratorsPublic protest participants
- agitatorsThose who incite disturbance
reformers · crusaders · dissidents · revolutionaries · radicals · militants · petitioners · abolitionists
Disorderly, aggressive crowd
- throngDense pressing crowd
- multitudeVery large number
- massesBulk or populace
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
assembly · marchers · picketers · swarm · horde · congregation · demonstrators · occupiers
Active resistance or dissent
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
- complaintExpression of discontent
objection · discontent · outcry · denunciation · condemnation · disagreement · critique · challenge
Justified claims to freedoms
- justiceFair treatment under law
- equalitySame status for all
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- liberationRelease from constraint
reform · change · awareness · solidarity · accountability · representation · dignity · autonomy
march
Rhythmic group walk
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- rallyGathering for a cause
- picketPointed fence stake
boycott · strike · sit-in · occupation · blockade · vigil · walkout · civil disobedience · hunger strike · chanting
advocates
Those who support causes
- campaignersPeople promoting a cause
- organizersThose who coordinate activities
- demonstratorsPublic protest participants
agitators · reformers · crusaders · dissidents · revolutionaries · radicals · militants · petitioners · abolitionists · suffragettes
mob
Disorderly, aggressive crowd
gathering · assembly · marchers · picketers · swarm · horde · congregation · demonstrators · occupiers · blockaders
opposition
Active resistance or dissent
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
complaint · objection · discontent · outcry · denunciation · condemnation · disagreement · critique · challenge · rejection
rights
Justified claims to freedoms
liberation · reform · change · awareness · solidarity · accountability · representation · dignity · autonomy · sovereignty
- noisemakersnoisemaker, air horn, bell, buzzer, kazoo
- political organizerscommunity organizers, grassroots leaders, mobilizers, canvassers, volunteer coordinators
protestorsbystanders
People present but uninvolved
onlookers · spectators · observers · passersby · witnesses
protestorssupporters
People who back something
loyalists · defenders · apologists · conformists · traditionalists
protestorsauthorities
Those holding official control
police · riot police · law enforcement · government officials · rulers