If We Lose the Right to Protest, We Lose Everything — with Annie Leonard and André Carothers

History has shown that authoritarian regimes can be toppled and social injustices can be eliminated if the public participates even in just one peaceful but powerful protest. But despite their noble goals, activism is often vilified and protesters are criminalized. Corinna Bellizzi is joined by Annie Leonard and André Carothers, two powerful souls who have spent their careers at the frontlines of activism. Together, they discuss why the public should never give up their right to protest, which is an essential “weapon” to voice out woes to those in power when all legal avenues of democracy have been exhausted. They also talk about the widespread impact of digital activism, the danger of overusing in-group language, and why protests can be effective even without resorting to violence. Blog for this episode: https://caremorebebetter.com/if-we-lose-the-right-to-protest-we-lose-everything-with-annie-leonard-andre-carothers/ About Guests: Annie Leonard is a lifelong activist whose work has taken her to protests, courtrooms, and congressional hearings around the world. As Executive Director of Greenpeace US from 2014 to 2023, she led one of the most recognized environmental organizations on the planet. She is the creator of The Story of Stuff — one of the most widely viewed environmental films in history — and co-launched the Jane Fonda Climate PAC. She has testified before Congress, appeared across major media, and been recognized by Time magazine as a Hero of the Environment. She received an honorary degree from Vermont Law School and has spent decades campaigning against pollution, waste, and unchecked corporate power. André Carothers is an activist, writer, and organizer with more than four decades of experience in campaigns spanning climate change, human rights, environmental protection, and nuclear disarmament. He worked for Greenpeace US for 13 years, including serving on its board of directors. He co-founded the Rockwood Leadership Institute, a training organization for activists, and consults as an organizational development coach for leaders across the social change sector. He has served on the boards of the Center for Investigative Reporting (which includes Mother Jones), International Rivers, the Center for Environmental Health, the Furthur Foundation, and Rainforest Action Network. Guest LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-leonard-65a00333/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrecarothers/ Guest Website:  theprotestbook.com Guest Social:  https://instagram.com/theprotestbook https://www.instagram.com/andrecarothers/ https://www.instagram.com/annie_leonard/ https://bsky.app/profile/theprotestbook.bsky.social https://www.facebook.com/annie.leonard/ Show Notes:  03:03 - Difference Between Activism And Protest 08:42 - Disability Rights Movement And Giving Funerals For Glaciers 14:49 - Common Trait Of Protests Regardless Of Issues Confronted 19:22 - How Protests And Protesters Vilified And Criminalized 28:37 - Where Does The Legitimate Limits Of Protests Lie 37:45 - How Stuff Welcomes Everyone Into The World Of Protests 42:44 - How Protests Can Actually Move The Needle 49:48 - The Widespread Impact Of Digital And Online Activism 53:12 - Balancing Clarity Of Direction, Discipline Of Movement, And The Diversity Of Humans 58:57 - Sustaining Oneself Emotionally Despite The Overwhelming Mission 01:03:18 - Seeing Protests In A Different Light BUILD A GREENER FUTURE with CARE MORE BE BETTER: Together, we planted 36,044 trees in 2025 through our partnership with ForestPlanet. Join our newsletter, and we'll plant even more. CAUSE PARTNER: If you value open dialogue, sustainability, and social equity, I invite you to support our new cause partner — Prescott College. To learn more about this effort and to support the show, visit: https://caremorebebetter.com/support/ Follow us on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@caremorebebetter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caremorebebetter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-more-be-better Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.