The Free Speech Movement was a student-led protest that began in 1964 at the University of California, Berkeley. It aimed to secure the right for students to engage in political activities and express their views on campus. The movement arose in response to university regulations that restricted political speech and activism. Key figures in the movement included student leader Mario Savio, who famously called for students to take a stand against the administration's policies. The protests gained national attention and ultimately led to significant changes in university policies regarding free speech and student activism across the United States.