Collective actions paired with social movements initiate the defenses for prevailing systems in a worldwide scale. Ambitions drive us to break a cycle of inhibition placed upon common folk. In response, we build an army, we gather partners, and form a powerful coalition of common interests.
In the 21st century, a social movement is representative of a global struggle in regard for the promotion of the power of democracy. Shown below are some protests executed in the 21st century:
1. The Women's March (Washington D.C.)
The march was more than a rallying cry for women, for it was representative of the call for global awareness for the future. Shabina Shahnwaz: a Muslim American wore an American flag hijab, in which she looked forward to change for all minorities held back under the name of democracy.
Women represented their daughters, teaching them that existing within a community played a massive role that she would carry in her lifetime. Mothers epitomized the rise over discrimination and abuse, symbolic of the next generation's empowerment.
2. The Umbrella Movement (Hong Kong)
Hong Kong says that the central government have swallowed their people's leadership within the city. Protesters want democracy, but under the circumstances, they feel politically marginalized. Hong Kong students use umbrellas to symbolize the defensive measures against police pepper spray. The movement itself, was a recipe for social unrest.
The Hong Kong government chose not to resort to a crackdown, although when community members decide which laws to obey, a crackdown will initiate spontaneously. The rules and guidelines written in ink begin to fade as the the desire for democracy is commendable.
3. Anti-War Protest, 2001
Around six to eleven million people marched in 650 cities to protest the United State's decision to invade Iraq. Groups formed a core peace movement attacking the Republican President, George W. Bush. The protests helped prove illegality of his measures towards Iraq and inspired the next generation of human activists.
It inspired Cairo's movements towards Egypt's Arab Spring. In addition, Spain's indignados protests towards austerity and inequality was also modeled from the United State's anti-war movements. A Global Mobilization occured.