[saubeidl]

Sure, that's one example of it going one way.

Then there's Ghandi, the Arab Spring, Milošević, the Iranian Shah as examples of things going the other way - and those are just the ones that immediately came to mind.

Again, don't be a bystander believing in foregone conclusions - that way you make them self-fulfilling prophecies. Be part of writing the story instead!

[p-e-w]

All of those happened in underdeveloped, weak countries with decades of violent infighting preceding those events.

If something similar were attempted in any Western country, the people involved would be murdered and things would be back to normal the next day.

There’s a reason European countries maintain twice as many police officers per capita as the “police state” China.

[saubeidl]

Decades of violent infighting don't come out of nowhere, they were somebody's conscious decision.

Again, you can be a bystander or a protagonist.

[pessimizer]

You believe that things only happen to people because they don't "speak up" but it is a goofy belief. There are people that will first fire you, then hit you with sticks and jail you, then shoot you and your kids.

You are not the first person to complain. There is no manager to call. Standing in the street with your friends is a social event. If you're not telling people where and when to show up, what to bring, and why it will work, you're just on the internet stealing valor from real heroes.

[saubeidl]

No, I believe those things happening to people is also protagonist stuff.

Sometimes, being a martyr for your beliefs is the best you can do. Either way, don't be passive.