Protest as an agent of change - Real change comes with real sacrifice

It is nearly always the case that when a society, or even a section of society, take to the streets to oppose autocracy, the usual cheering from a distant, safe sideline is quickly tempered by prudent apprehension. There are too many examples of human aspiration crushed by brook-no-argument force.

The 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre is one but there are many, many examples. Official records say around 300 people were killed during those pro-democracy demonstrations, other estimates put that figure at around 3,000.