Civil Disobedience: People power cuts both ways

People power cuts both ways

Thais Protest

"Despite being a democratic means of expression, street gatherings can also be used to achieve undemocratic goals, scholars have warned as Thailand sees a surge in political protests."

Riot Police Ready to Act

Gandhi Non-Violent March

"Non-violent disobedience such as peaceful strikes, or wearing signs or symbols to protest for a long time have also brought about the same or more powerful impacts than street gatherings."

But. For how long before more aggressive actions are needed?   
Even no-violence protests harm the country's economics. Inevitable casualties and lives will suffer as a result. All forms of action have consequences. 
We need to pay a price for change.

Father of Non-Violence Protest

"Protest organisers (should) consider different approaches such as making events more like festivals or carnivals instead of inciting anger or hatred against others."

Too idealistic and romantic. Carnivals are more suited for celebrations, not protests.  

When people have been treated unjustly, they are angry.  Angry enough to take to the streets. 

It's belittling to ask them to have fun. 

When demands for change meet resistance,
friction sparks explode. 

Only a strong fire can melt injustice's iron chains.




"Civil disobedience works if they involve and engage with grassroots or community people for some time."

Agree.  Mobilise the people!

Let a thousand, no, a million flowers bloom.  Then her landscape will change.
-- A response to Janjira Sombatpoonsiri, a political science lecturer at Thammasat University during a seminar at Chulalongkorn University.