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.
(..) to be made of wood. You are without doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of. But you have heard of me. Commodore, I really must protest. Carefully, Lieutenant. Pirate or not, this man saved my life. One good deed is not enough to redeem a man (..)2003 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl