People, Protests, and the Pandemic
By: Evolv Ideas
Tags: World, Democracy, Politics, Protest, Government

People, Protests, and the Pandemic

People all over the world continue to take to the streets and put their foot down to condemn various actions, even as COVID-19 is bedevilling the world with its pervasive and intense presence. evolv Ideas Follow Dec 19, 2020 · 7 min read

Source: Getty Images | CNN

Camaraderie at its Finest?

When you form a mental picture of what a protest looks like, it is probably a large group with a common modus operandi, chanting slogans and the sphere of activity bursting at the seams. But what we don’t usually realise is the aftermath of the demonstration — they are more than an act of dissent and go beyond what is apparent. When things get messy, violence sweeps in with full force, often defying the whole purpose of why the protest was organised in the first place. The fact that there is a very thin line between protests and riots frequently goes unperceived; one hardly ever realises how a situation can go from contained to massively disruptive in the blink of an eye.

While the fear of contracting the virus and the imposition of lockdowns has pulled the plug on a number of protests across the globe, the spirit of the masses stays as charged up as it was before the pandemic hit. A number of alarming issues have cropped up, with consequent demonstrations by the public as a means of disapproval. People have risen up to fight for their rights and stand in solidarity with their fellow companions to advocate their demands. All around the globe, people are still fighting for what they believe in.

#EndSARS: A Dissection

A demonstrator protests against Nigeria’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Lagos on October 17 [Temilade Adelaja/Reuters] Source: Aljazeera

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad was established in 1992 in Nigeria to combat armed robbery but later started to function with no sense of answerability and resorted to brutal approaches. This included rape, murder, extrajudicial killings, human rights violations, illegal arrests, sexual harassment, and extortion.

#EndSARS is a decentralised movement aiming to disband the squad and put an end to the oppression faced by individuals who fell prey to their misdoings. Having its roots in a string of abusive practices against the people, this crusade began on Twitter in 2016 against police brutality and trended #1 worldwide with citizens, celebrities, and governments denouncing it globally.

The brutal attack by the army on the people protesting at the Lekki Toll has garnered criticism from all around the world. With absolutely no idea as to who gave the army an order to set camp at Lekki Toll and a switched-off CCTV, the situation is laced with controversies at every curve. Additionally, Amnesty International has reported that 12 people have lost their lives. Nigeria’s President Buhari failed to address the military attack on the protesters and how subtle threats to get them off the roads exacerbated the situation, causing contempt among the people.

A movement that was initiated as a way to eliminate violence and oppression has now morphed into something bigger. The youth of Nigeria have harnessed the power of social media and taken to the streets, crystallizing the fact that the government can’t steer clear of their problems. The Nigerians demand accountability from their leaders; from challenging the laissez-faire attitude of the government to demands for better employment opportunities, they’ve generated a sense of empowerment among the public.

Mass vs. Military × Monarchy

Pro-democracy protesters, led by students from the Free Youth group and the Student Union of Thailand, calling for democratic reforms on July 18, 2020, at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok. Photo and caption by Darika Bamrungchok. Source: Global Voices

Roiled by the dictatorial regime and the institutionalised corruption, the people of Thailand have unfurled their wrath on the streets demanding real democracy and radical changes in the system.

The student-led anti-government protests sparked in Bangkok, call for amendments in the constitution, reducing the influence of the military in politics, and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-Ocha’s resignation. This also includes urging for an unbiased investigation into the alleged killing and abduction of anti-government Thai activists.

The Thais have taken on a daunting approach and challenged the monarchical reforms that have been a tabooed subject for as long as one can remember. The Royals are protected from any slander, insult, and the like under the strict lèse-majesté laws, which can get an individual imprisoned for up to fifteen years. Moreover, a stark contrast between King Vajiralongkorn’s negligence in matters of the state and his deceased father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s popularity has amplified the people’s movement and questions the former’s legitimacy as a figurehead.

This generation isn’t one to concede to bad governance and draconian laws that defy the concept of democracy. They — or rather, we — are fearless, determined, and assertive. From using social media to engender a feeling of togetherness amid the chaos to pulling themselves out of their homes and taking a stand for themselves, Thais are leaving no stone unturned. While this movement to oust the power structures is here to stay for long, it is a step in the right direction. Whether the people will emerge victorious in this war against the government is the question that we long an answer for.

Black Lives Matter.

Black Lives Matter protesters take a knee during a rally in Tacoma, Wash., on June 5, 2020, Source: NBC News

The brutal killing of George Floyd in May this year rocked various countries across the world, with mass demonstrations against systemic racism and police brutality.

#BlackLivesMatter is a decentralised movement to protest the bigoted perspective and ruthless treatment against African-Americans. Having initially ignited in 2013, then again in 2016, its biggest onset has begun in 2020 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who fatally shot Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old African-American boy.

The deep-rooted racial and ethnic inequalities in the American framework, right from the judiciary to available opportunities, aren’t unknown to us. The scale at which the authorities abuse their power to extort individuals who are not white, thereby imbuing white supremacy into an already-racist system, is a cause for alarm not only in the United States but also across the globe.

The murder of George Floyd triggered a series of protests despite the skyrocketing cases of COVID-19, which did not dampen the rage of the citizens. It was then when the Black Lives Matter movement resurfaced, becoming a catalyst for much-needed changes and bringing together people from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities.

An exemplary demonstration that managed to transcend every bar associated with protests, the movement is an asset to the fight against unauthorised killings and racial injustice in every facet of the Black experience.

The Indian Jacquerie

Farmers in Punjab gesture as they protest against farm bills passed by the Parliament; Source: Adnan Abidi | Reuters

Farmers are considered to be the backbones of the Indian subcontinent, a primarily agricultural economy. With agriculture constituting about 18% of the country’s GDP, farmers are constantly threatened with unemployment, harassment, and low income, often falling victims to the threats urbanisation and poverty.

The farm bills introduced in September 2020 have unleashed their fury and caused a major outflux of farmers on the streets. They finally reached the national capital, New Delhi, after having faced water cannons, tear gas, and baton charges by the police — which they saw more of even in the capital.

The farmers are protesting against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020 and Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.

The demonstration seems to be highly politicised, consisting mainly of farmers from Punjab and Haryana protesting against the legislation. Despite being the heart and soul of the country, it seems that their concerns are being overlooked by the lawmakers.

A Stratagem?

The aforementioned protests are just a few that have caught the limelight in the vast ocean of mass demonstrations. The restrictions, fear, lockdowns, and even laws, couldn’t stop the public from fighting for what they believed in. It is rightly said that life goes on. People in different parts of the world have taken steps — quite literally — to counter various issues and decisions taken by their particular government.

However, an interesting question remains surfaces: is it possible that political leaders conspire to implement certain laws, or that authorities act out in a barbarian manner, in the hope of getting away with otherwise unimaginable actions, hoping to be kept safe by the restrictions imposed by the pandemic? Opportunistic much?