There are many examples of how protests can lead to change:
# The ‘3.5% rule’: How a small minority can change the world.
The article cites non violent protests directed squarely at the source of the issues. The frustration is with misdirected protests. There are certain people who declare “there’s no wrong way to protest”, but there definitely are wrong ways to protest. A good protest will raise awareness but do so in a way where other people on the fence might actually be swayed that you have a point. If your protest makes you a “villain” to the people who should be agreeing with you, it’s not a good protest.