Posted on 12/11/2013 11:48:26 AM PST by JerseyanExile
Crowd of Protesters Appears to Be Growing
Security forces pulled back Wednesday from the Ukrainian capital's main square and government buildings after a failed effort overnight to end the weekslong protest that has left the country in its worst political crisis in nearly a decade.
Riot police wearing black helmets and carrying shields had pushed through makeshift barricades early Wednesday and were met by hundreds of protesters, some wearing orange hard hats, who had hastily gathered to defend the encampment.
While scuffles broke out between police and some demonstrators and opposition lawmakers, the security forces kept their clubs at their sides and didn't resort to the violence seen during a crackdown on Nov. 30 that had served to strengthen the protests' momentum.
By mid-morning, the officers retreated from Independence Square, abandoning it to the thousands of protesters who remained gathered there, with the crowd appearing to be growing.
A statement posted on the Ukrainian Interior Ministry's website shortly after the police began to leave said that the protest would be allowed to continue.
"I want to calm everyone down. There will be no dispersal of [protesters from the square]. Nobody is infringing upon the people's right to a peaceful protest. However, the rights and legitimate interests of other people cannot be ignored. The capital city's normal functioning cannot be disrupted," Interior Minister Vitaly Zakharchenko was quoted in the statement as saying.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
When riotous violence ascends to this point, it’s no longer a concern about “being arrested.” This is about humanity and sovereignty, and these “rioters” see their cause as just. “Scuffling” with a cop is no longer about “battery on a law enforcement officer” but about fighting for life and liberty.
I pray it never comes to this in America, because the loss of life on both sides will be catastrophic.
Which side is the good side here? Typically Ukrainians are a good people once they got out from under USSR.
The last I heard the govt canceled plans to join the EU and thats why these people are protesting. If you want a lifetime of welfare joining the EU is a good thing. If you want freedom its a bad thing.
I all due respect, I pray that it DOES come to this in America before we relinquish our country and freedom to tyrants and Marxists who want to destroy our way of life.
Some guy from way back when (can’t remember who) said that governments can’t exist without the consent of the governed. If enough people are willing to risk their lives to overthrow a government, it cannot stand. This requires some combination of oppressive government and angry, brave (or foolish!) citizens. The tipping point is probably different for every political entity.
For example, it is highly unlikely that the cowed wimps in NYC will ever rebel against the tyrants who control the city. Makes me think of a line from the movie, The Magnificent Seven - the villain explains his raids on a peaceful village by saying, “If God did not want them sheared, he would not have made them sheep.”
This is very bad news.
My thoughts exactly!! Round 1....Protesters!
Round 2.....Military!!!
IIRC, John Locke is the author and Jefferson inserted this idea into the Declaration of Independence.
Thanks!
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.--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.
I would prefer a non-violent resolution, but I do respect your ideal. It needs to happen here. It needed to happen here 5 years ago.
The protesters are against the socialist, east-leaning (on the side of the Russians) government. They want to be a part of the EU to be a part of the “west.” While I don’t disagree that the EU is the lesser of two evils, these people have lived under the thumb of communism and Marxism for over a century. Even the smallest hint of “light” is more than these people have legitimately seen.
Coming from a Ukrainian background culturally, I can tell you that these are hard-working people who value their liberty. They’ve lived in the shadow of Russia for a very long time and legitimately want to be out from under it.
What a beautiful document.
And here in it is a message to Obama...
[T]hat whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it...
“The last I heard the govt canceled plans to join the EU and thats why these people are protesting. If you want a lifetime of welfare joining the EU is a good thing. If you want freedom its a bad thing.”
Rock meet hard place
I think its that kinda situation
America shold be so lucky as to have heroes like this.
“... before we relinquish our country and freedom to tyrants and Marxists who want to destroy our way of life.” I hate to break it to you but it has already arrived and we are still not doing anything to stop them.
Rounds 3, 4, 5...coming back atcha!
I believe what I was thinking of goes farther than this. What I meant was, that a government will collapse if the people are truly unwilling to accept it’s rule over them. It is not just their right to bring it down; once they no longer consent to being under that government, they WILL bring it down. In other words, a political system, by its very existence, signifies that its subjects are consenting to be ruled by that government.
It’s somewhat amazing when you think about it. Right now, if enough people were willing to accept the possible consequences of their actions, they could bring down their government.
Am I making myself any clearer, or just muddling things up?
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