Throughout city history, protests and acts of aggression have been part of urban life. Since the early 20th century, challenges to the social order have compelled politicians to engage with the public in arenas—places also used to resist political authority. These gatherings—whether supporting or opposing the government—occur in specific times and places, creating strong links between location and protest. This research explores how people use, manipulate, claim, and occupy urban spaces while promoting their values. The research goals are: (1) to develop an interdisciplinary framework for the physical aspects of dissent; (2) to create a comparative framework for forms of citizenship and cultural identities, highlighting the roles of organizations and individuals seeking social justice; (3) to provide new insights into how changing ideas and practices of citizenship relate to our multicultural society.