when the citizens cry, the world must listen (Part 2)

This article is a follow up to Part 1 of When the Citizens Cry, the World Must Listen

TL;DR

• From LA to Gaza, global citizens are rising up in protest against injustice, violence, and systemic oppression—proving that collective resistance is alive and powerful in every corner of the world.
  
• Nonviolent protest works: According to Harvard research, movements that engage just 3.5% of the population have never failed to create change—highlighting the impact each individual can have.
  
• Recent protests in Panama, Romania, Serbia, and across the globe reflect a growing demand for justice, transparency, and human rights—even in countries labeled “not free.”
  
• There are many forms of resistance—from marching to mutual aid, digital activism to storytelling—and every act helps bend the arc of history toward justice.
  
  

Looking back on the last decade, we—the citizens of the world—have endured. 

Speaking as a resident of Los Angeles County, I’m not sure I can fully express the heartbreak I feel when I reflect on what we’ve experienced—and how devastating it is to know that even in our grief, we still have it better than most. From deadly mass shootings, to relentless wildfires, to the COVID pandemic—and now ICE raids terrorizing neighborhoods across the country— when is it enough? How much more can we take?

We watch as our neighbors are hunted down and ripped from the arms of their loved ones by masked agents. We witness our government, as we (the US) hand over weapons to regimes murdering civilians. And we are told—by those in power— that what we’re seeing isn’t real. At times it leaves me feeling hopeless and angry. And yet, it also leaves me determined. 

Because despite it all, we keep showing up for each other. Seeing how Angelenos have responded to the recent ICE raids—with resistance, solidarity, and care—gives me hope. We will get through this. Our community will continue to endure and work together to bring about real change. And around the globe, others are doing the same. 

In every corner of the world, people are experiencing hardship, war, death, and repression. And still they rise. People are fighting for their rights, and letting the world know they will not be ignored. 

Jon Stewart recently shared on The Daily Show “The arc of the moral history is long and it bends towards justice, right? But it doesn’t bend by itself. It’s not f—ing gravity. People have to bend it. You have to bend it. And there’s gonna be other people trying to bend it the other f—ing way. And we’re not going to let that happen.” This is an honest reflection of the exact moment we’re in. 

Some may wonder—what is the point? Could I really make a difference? Absolutely. According to a 2019 article from Harvard, “Nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts—and those engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change.” That fact alone should remind us just how powerful collective action can be—especially when we look at the many protests currently happening around the world.

If you visit the Global Protest Tracker from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (last updated June 1, 2025) you will see how widespread this resistance truly is. In the past 12 months:  

• Over 160 significant anti-government protests have erupted worldwide.

• More than 73 countries have experienced significant demonstrations.

• More than 28 significant protests have occurred in countries classified as “not free.”

These numbers make it clear: people everywhere are rising up in pursuit of justice. Here are just a few recent examples:

Panama’s Prolonged Fight for Justice

Harrowing images from the protests in Panama show what has been ongoing for over a month now in response to social security pension reforms, the controversial decision to allow US soldiers access to facilities near the Panama Canal, and the potential reopening of the Cobre Panama copper mine. 

Romania: Democracy on the Line

The citizens of Romania gathered in Bucharest to protest a top court’s decision to annul the presidential election of far-right populist Calin Georgescu. Citizens took to the streets to demand free and fair elections.

When the Masses March in Belgrade

In Serbia, more than 100,000 people joined together to  march against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, demanding accountability, transparency and democratic reforms.

A Global Cry for Gaza

Across the US,  UK, Europe, Africa, and Australia, protests continue to call for an end to the war in Gaza.

These movements remind us that uniting around a common goal, standing in solidarity against a common enemy, and refusing to back down are some of the most effective tools we have. The Civil Rights Movement, the struggle to end Apartheid, Black Lives Matter, and #MeToo—all serve as examples of individuals successfully coming together to say—it doesn’t have to be this way. 

Of course, every act of resistance comes with risk. Not everyone can be on the frontlines—and that’s okay. There are many ways to fight back—through art, journalism, financial support, mutual aid, and protest boycotts. The outcome of these movements can be true change.

In today’s world being a digital activist is one of the easiest and most effective things we can do to amplify impact. Share verified information, speak for the marginalized, and tell the truth when others try to obscure it.  When done with purpose and care, sharing information across media can be extremely powerful. 

Communities will continue to protest, just as they always have. And while not every movement aligns with justice, the right to speak, to assemble and be heard is fundamental. 

Progress is rarely linear—but with each act of resistance, the needle moves a little closer toward a world where everyone has the opportunity to live a prosperous life—one rooted in freedom, safety, and justice.

The citizens are crying now—

Is the world listening?