With the world, I’m watching events in Libya. On this cold, rainy day in Boston, I see protesters standing in the cold rain in peaceful protest against tyranny. What determination. How firm their commitment!
I am reminded of protests in our own country during the Civil Rights Movement. I think about Protests over Poverty and Vietnam. The protests at Kent State when the War was officially extended into Cambodia. And then the firing of our National Guard on students. The nation was stunned.
I think farther back to Mahatma Ghandi and the non-violent action that finally won independence for India. Now new voices are being raised in the Middle East on behalf of human rights and freedom.
How important to protect people’s right to peaceful demonstration. And how important that public opinion turn against governments that use violence to suppress those expressions…even if those governments are our own or those of our allies. People in power have the capacity to use force. The temptation to do so is strong and the ability to rationalize such force is endless.
It has been said that those who stand and watch bullies without expressing outrage are aiding and abetting them. May those of us who are not on the front lines of peaceful protest have the courage to never tolerate or excuse the “official bullies of the world” who strike out with violence against peaceful protest.
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