This Is a Revolution, Not a Protest

05-23-2011 • http://www.slate.com/

On March 22, 2011, Syrian writer and publisher Louay Hussein was arrested by the Syrian security forces after a raid on his house in the Damascus neighborhood of Sahnaya, apparently because of Facebook postings he had made calling for protests. Hussein, a political prisoner from 1984 to 1991, had issued a call for solidarity with the demonstrators in Deraa. He was released a few days later.

Hussein is still active on Facebook. He is still calling for demonstrations and voicing support for besieged cities and towns. He knows that he is not safe, but that can't be helped, because for him, this is a revolution, not a protest.

According to Hussein and many others, there is no turning back. If they end the protests and go home, the regime will survive, and it will make sure that the people who organized or participated in the demonstrations will be arrested, tortured, or killed. Their only choice is to go on and die with dignity.

1 Comments in Response to This Is a Revolution, Not a Protest

Comment by PureTrust

Entered on: 5/23/2011 1:14:37 PM

What is a revolution?

Look at what the Declaration of Independence says:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Furthermore, look what it says next"

"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

So, as far as people in the United States of America are concerned, REVOLUTION takes place whenever anyone, or any Government - including the Government of the United States - takes, or attempts to take, away the FREEDOM of anybody else without their consent.

Anytime you attempt to judge what is or is not a revolution, anywhere around the world, if you do NOT keep the above in mind to judge according to it, you are not an American. Instead, you are, or are becoming, a revolutionist.

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