Answer: The object of the preposition by means of is "protest".
Explanation:<u> The object of the preposition is a noun or a pronoun that completes a prepositional phrase</u> which has been introduced by a preposition. Most times, this noun or pronoun is found to the right of the preposition. Moreover, in some cases, a gerund can also function as object of the preposition, In the sentence provided,<u> the object of the proposition is a noun ("protest") and it is found to the right of "by means of". </u>
Prepositions are linking words which express how the different elements in a sentence or clause are related. Examples of prepositions <em>are at, on, in, upon, by </em>and <em>of</em>.
In the sentence given, the preposition <em>by means of</em> means <em>through </em>or <em>by virtue of</em>. Besides, the object of the preposition is usually the noun, person or thing which follows it and which is its recipent, such as <em>protest.</em>
Explanation: the argument is not convincing because the authors focus only on facts and data related to bitly links and twitter usage which is not sufficient evidence to support the claim
He is widely regarded as a central figure of Romanticism in the United States and of American literature as a whole, and he was one of the country's earliest practitioners of the short story.