Jay Michaelson, The Daily Beast
To protest—for whatever cause, left or right wing—is to make real the best ideals of America: freedom of speech, democracy, the rule of law. Protesting brings those ideals into reality. It is the opposite of disrespect and despair: It is to call our country to account, and to say that we can do better. Dissent is patriotic, because it affirms that our country is worth fighting for.
Source: Real Clear Politics