The recent surge in public unrest over political and civil matters has been seen in countries around the world. In recent years, democratic movements have become a dominant feature of many nations, and this wave of action has been demonstrated in groups of thousands across numerous nations. From Asia to Europe, and from Africa to the Americas, citizens have taken to the streets in protest to stand for their beliefs, as support for democracy and for freedom spreads without borders.
The Search for Democratic Rights Everywhere
Heard in recent weeks have been the shouts from Singapore to Hong Kong and from Russia to India, with groups marching shouting demands for democratic processes. Calls for greater civil and political rights in many countries have fiercely resonated in the past few weeks, voices coming together to form powerful and unified messages.
Chile
In Chile, thousands have gathered in the fight for rights and justice, hoping to bring attention to their mistreatment. After years of oppressive measures and an ever-increasing cost of living, citizens in Chile protested current measures with flash mobs, rallies and marches. As of this writing, the demosntrations continue and are expected to continue as citizens fight against government policies and seek to ensure that their collective rights in education, economy, and health.
Hong Kong
The citizens of Hong Kong have also been fighting for their rights amid the clashes between protestors and officers of the law. After a government-proposed extradition bill was introduced, residential and workers alike organized to demonstrates, walkouts, and rallies. Their focus was centered on protecting their freedoms, even in the face of potential police retaliation. The rallies and marches included students, medical professionals, and business elite, among many others. As of this writing, demonstrations still rage, though protests now acknowledge demands for a full pullback of the extradition bill and for democratic elections.
Russia
In Russia, the city of Moscow recently witnessed a series of demonstrations organized by opposition leader Alexei Navalny. This wave of protests was designed to point out the federal government’s deteriorating policies, as Navalny himself was arrested after returning to the capital city. This action came as a result of Navalny’s exposé of the government’s corruption and its growing repression of civil rights. Thousands assembled in the city to celebrate the stifled freedoms, united in their beliefs and cries.
France
France has also seen its share of protests in recent weeks, particularly in light of the new pension reforms proposed by the current government. Hundreds of thousands of Parisians have recently flooded the public spaces to demonstrate their disapproval of their current president’s policies. Throughout the city, workers, students, and pensioners alike all joined collectively in order to make their voices heard. This vast wave of protests is described as the longest wave of unrest the country has ever seen in its modern era, with benefits being the main issue at stake.
India
In India, a recent wave of protests has made world news, with thousands ready to sacrifice their lives in the fight for civil rights and against the Modi government’s policies. The demonstrations, which rocked Delhi and other big cities of India in January, have showed the country’s youth taking on the government-enforced CAA, which seeks to legalize certain refugees. The law has caused much drama, and protesters alike argue that it only serves to divide the nation and its many cultural groups.
Why Democracy Matters: The Benefits of Protesting
The waves of protests in recent weeks have served to remind the world why protecting and fighting for democracy is so important. Unfettered democracy encourages progress in civil rights and liberties, and allows for individual growth in families, businesses, and the economy.
Though some democracies may still struggle to uphold their civil rights, the fight to validate them should never be put off. Below are just some of the reasons why the world should join hands in supporting democracy:
• Inclusive Representation: Democratic governments ensure that all citizens are represented in the political process. This helps to ensure that all voices can be heard in each area’s decision-making processes.
• Liberty: Democratic governments afford the liberty of religious, political, and civil rights to all individuals equally in a nation. This is especially true of nations that boast full government transparency and are free from political oppression.
• Economic Growth: Economies tend to flourish in democracies. When governments are voted in democratically, nations tend to see an increase in capital investment, tax payments, and overall growth, among other economic benefits.
• Increased Quality of Life: In democracies, citizens can play a part in the decision-making process of their governments. This leads to safe and healthy lifestyles, access to quality education, and the reduction of poverty, among other quality of life improvements.
• Civil Rights: Democracies provide their citizens with equal rights and the freedom of individualism. This includes the liberty to assemble or dissent, to speak out, and to practice any faith or culture without fear of reprisals.
The recent protests we’ve seen around the world have sent a powerful message: we need to come together to protect our democracy. By taking up the fight for our freedoms, our voices can be heard, and we can ensure these rights are never put off. Whether it be Hong Kong or Chile, India or France, the fight for democracy is universal and should be peacefully and cooperatively acted upon.
Those who answer the call to protect our democracies are sending a strong signal that we, as citizens of the world, demand that our rights never cease, and that we will continue to fight for our democracy and freedoms until we see change.
This is what unifies us: support for democracy and for freedom, wherever men, women, and children are. This is what binds us together: the shared belief that systems of oppression must be challenged, and that political decisions should be made by the people for the people. The world is watching in these days of strife and turmoil, and citizens everywhere must stand together and never cease the fight for their rights and democracy.
