Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
protest (n., v.)
The noun is always pronounced with the primary stress on the first syllable; the verb is in divided usage, usually with primary stress on the second syllable but sometimes with it on the first. When the noun combines with a preposition, it usually does so with against but sometimes with about, at, or over: Their protest against [about, at, over] the new tax was loud. To and of also occur, but less often: This demonstration was in protest to [of] all proposed fee increases. The verb combines with against, about, at, and over: The entire chamber protested against [about, at, over] the chair’s ruling. The verb also can appear without a preposition in both transitive (The party protests all new taxation) and intransitive use (We protested vehemently).
