[_benedict]

I don't think it is necessary for Snowden to be "equivalent to" democracy for his treatment to be seen as akin to the crucifixion of democracy. He did bring to light one of the worst subversions of democracy we've ever known. He is being crucified for aiding democratic institutions reestablish their will, including by those very institutions he aided.

This can quite reasonably be interpreted as democracy being crucified, without Snowden himself "being" Democracy.