People’s voices galore!

Millions all over the world, especially young people, are taking to the streets to demand change, seek freedom, justice and security, and strive for collaborative global action to shape a ‘better future ’ to live. One such ‘call for action’ crusade was witnessed during ‘phenomenal’ worldwide protests on September 20. People around the world raised their voices to demand action on climate change.

In a massive show of solidarity to the ‘Global climate strike’, people, including hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren, took to the streets in 150 countries – from Sydney, Manila, Dhaka, New Delhi, Kabul, Sarajevo, Marrakesh to London,  Mexico City, Santiago and New York  – for one of the largest climate protest in the annals of history. Such demonstrations are not confined to environment issues like climate change.

Beyond Gandhi’s non-violent movement legacy and Swedish environment activist Greta Thunberg's inspirations, activist, philanthropists, campaigners, civil society members, youths and people in common have initiated mass appeal and influence in such peaceful ways of protests to generate global awareness, instigate rightful action and fight injustice. Be it struggle against political crisis, authoritarian rule, coercive governance, stringent policy enforcement, public apathy, government indifference or rebellion against social menaces and crimes, suppression of freedom of livelihood and expression, corruption, infringement of humanitarian rights…they have no ‘justified’ place in the people’s domain anymore and would be contested on the streets for justice.

Pro-democracy protests continued for several months in Hong Kong which is facing a major political crisis. What started as a movement against a controversial law has extended into repeated street protests and mass demonstrations, with millions marching through the streets. Ultimately, these demonstrations forced the government to withdraw its plans.  

Taking the lead, students in Indonesia have taken to the streets to protest against the government to ratify a draft criminal code that would include outlawing extramarital sex and a law that could weaken anti-corruption body. Likewise, In a rare show of public dissent against arbitrary authoritarian rule, hundreds of protesters across Egypt are opposing Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi’s rule. Down south, in the wake of attacks on women, violent crimes and sexual offences, South African women took to the streets to protest government’s failure to deal with rising violence against women.

Demonstrating democratic will of the people, United Kingdom is facing the tune of mass protests against Brexit. Hundreds of thousands of people are protesting with "Put it to the People" placards and banners against Brexit deal. Indigenous people have protested against a widespread assault on their rights and territories by the government of the president in Brazil.

The narrative goes beyond territorial borders to establish a common ground of people’s unrest.  With greater participation of young people, women and school children global movements have taken root in many countries.

(Representational images: source)