He paid the fine 'under protest'. [=he paid the fine although he objected to it]
The students launched/held/staged a 'protest' against the tuition increase.
She told him to go to bed despite his 'protests' that he wasn't tired.
(..) at this station The newspaper ran this untrue story that I was leaving and they got these tons of protest mail Ha ha ha! So... So they made me anchor So, great Right? Except I'm no good (..)1987 Broadcast News