Nonviolent protests

Communists are out to sow terror, the government warned as militant groups prepared to spearhead protests across the country. Now, why does the government have to announce such threats, which law enforcers are supposed to neutralize? That kind of warning can scare some people from joining the protests, blunting the mass actions against President Estrada. It can also be used by certain groups to infiltrate the protests and create trouble.

Protesters are likely to be unfazed by the warning, anyway. Even with the opening of the impeachment trial, there has been no rest for rallyists. While anti-Estrada groups are willing to await the results of the trial, they are also continuing their mass actions to persuade the President to resign, whatever the outcome of the Senate proceedings. At least once a week there’s a rally in Makati’s financial district or in Mendiola. In key cities across the country, rallies are also held regularly. A prayer crusade has been launched.

The President’s supporters aren’t resting either. There’s a group organizing rallies declaring undying love for the beleaguered Chief Executive. People from depressed communities are mobilized for mass shows of support for the President. Outside Metro Manila, the President’s political allies are also summoning their supporters for public displays of loyalty. Anti-Estrada rallyists often find themselves face to face with groups of the President’s defenders.

This is a free country, where public protest has even found new venues of expression in cyberspace and cell phones. After the lessons of martial law, it will be tough for any national leader to once again curtail freedom of expression and assembly in this rambunctious democracy. Security officials have no choice but to assure the public that they hold these rights sacred and would step in only to keep the peace. So on with the rallies, conventions, prayer meetings, street marches. The only thing that must be avoided by both camps is violence.

Tension is expected to rise as the formal trial starts in a week. Those who take to the streets must keep in mind that messages are most effectively delivered without confrontation, without vandalism even in the most exuberant moments. We can all be civil in these manifestations of democracy. Both camps are invoking national interest in their mass actions. If we truly care about national survival, we must respect all views and do our best to keep these mass actions peaceful. In 1986 we showed the world that drastic change can be effected through non-violent protest. Peaceful, civilized protest is the best mark of a vibrant democracy in action.