YAP! Name Change Reasoning

While YAP! was originally conceived as Young Americans for Policy (Reform), we decided to change the name to Young Americans Protest! The change came after many long talks, but ultimately, we decided as founders that the word “Protest” would more accurately describe our goals and more effectively resonate with the people we intend to help. For YAP!, “protest” doesn’t necessarily mean to march in the streets with signs. We believe all forms of progress and dissent are a protest, such as bearing witness to the separation of families at the southern border of the U.S., to ethnically-motivated slayings of young African American men, to endless school shootings, and countless other issues. Our “Protest” is both civil disobedience and the willingness of young people to be in the room- to make the necessary changes.