Here’s some excerpts from an article at The Independent outlining the celebrations following Tunisia’s monumental revolution.
The unseating by popular uprising of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali after 23 years of repressive rule and pocket-filling is virtually unprecedented in a region where democracy is a concept rather than a reality, economic hopelessness is widespread, and militant Islam a potent force.
Tunisian Accountant Hamdi Kriaa encapsulates the joy felt by his fellow countrymen:
“We are living through special days, historic days. Yesterday I was protesting in front of the Interior Ministry together with some 10,000 people. The sensation was incredible. We are very proud to be Tunisian because we showed the whole world that we want to live in freedom.”
An interesting point comes from Egyptian human rights activist Hossam Bahgat who says:
“I feel like we are a giant step closer to our own liberation. What’s significant about Tunisia is that literally days ago the regime seemed unshakable, and then eventually democracy prevailed without a single Western state lifting a finger.”
This highlights the power of the people to effect change. We don’t need invading armies to liberate people. Instead, we can embolden the world’s repressed so they go on to liberate themselves.
There is no greater force than that of a large collective of humans working to realize a shared dream.
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Tags: democracy, hope, optimism, people, power, revolution, Tunisia
