How well did the protests about gaza go over then? You are hand waving away something we all lived through and saw. From unions to college campuses, protesting has never been a protected right. You can only protest as much as those in power allow you to in your area.

Even those not in power shit on protestors when it affects their lives. People start saying things like "thats not the way to protest" or "this isn't the time or place, have some respect".

Its bullshit, and we do not have the freedom to speak our minds, unless we already agree with what we are expected to.