This is not to say that reports of tear gas and fences are unimportant. Democracy is more than just voting in the odd referendum and periodic elections.
Voting is a minimalist means to express our political voices.
Democracy involves political debate and decisions to which we should all have equal access. Currently, we live in a social system that denies equal access to the decision-making process. As individuals, we should all have the same access to the decision-making process, either directly, through advocacy groups, or through accountable representatives. As members of various political identities, we should see our groups' interests voiced, heard and included in the important process of building and fostering democracy. However, this is not the reality.