You think the constitution is going to save us? The Bill of Rights? Freedom of speech?
By Karte: NordNordWest, Lizenz: Creative Commons by-sa-3.0 de, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147989892
Let’s see how that worked out in other countries…..
Soviet Union / Russia
Article 50. In accordance with the interests of the people and in order to strengthen and develop the socialist system, citizens of the USSR are guaranteed freedom of speech, of the press, and of assembly, meetings, street processions and demonstrations.
Exercise of these political freedoms is ensured by putting public buildings, streets and squares at the disposal of the working people and their organisations, by broad dissemination of information, and by the opportunity to use the press, television, and radio.
Article 51. In accordance with the aims of building communism, citizens of the USSR have the right to associate in public organisations that promote their political activity and initiative and satisfaction of their various interests.
Public organisations are guaranteed conditions for successfully performing the functions defined in their rules.
Article 52. Citizens of the USSR are guaranteed freedom of conscience, that is, the right to profess or not to profess any religion, and to conduct religious worship or atheistic propaganda. Incitement of hostility or hatred on religious grounds is prohibited.
In the USSR, the church is separated from the state, and the school from the church.
The Soviet conception of human rights was very different from international law. According to Soviet legal theory, “it is the government who is the beneficiary of human rights which are to be asserted against the individual”. The Soviet state was considered as the source of human rights.
Russia Arrests Multiple People for Holding Up Blank Signs
Anti-war protesters in Russia are being detained by police for holding up blank posters as part of demonstrations protesting against President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
As mass demonstrations against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continue to intensify, a woman in in Nizhny Novgorod, in central Russia, was arrested on Sunday for protesting with a blank sign.
Is it so far-fetched that this could happen in America?
China
CHAPTER II. THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CITIZENS
Article 33 All persons holding the nationality of the People’s Republic of China are citizens of the People’s Republic of China.
All citizens of the People’s Republic of China are equal before the law. Every citizen enjoys the rights and at the same time must perform the duties prescribed by the Constitution and the law.
The State respects and preserves human rights. […]
Article 35 Citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration.
Article 36 Citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief.
No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion.
[…] Article 37 The freedom of person of citizens of the People’s Republic of China is inviolable. […] Article 38 The personal dignity of citizens of the People’s Republic of China is inviolable. […]
Article 39 The home of citizens of the People’s Republic of China is inviolable. Unlawful search of, or intrusion into, a citizen’s home is prohibited.
Article 40 The freedom and privacy of correspondence of citizens of the People’s Republic of China are protected by law. No organization or individual may, on any ground, infringe upon the freedom and privacy of citizens’ correspondence except in cases where, to meet the needs of state security or of investigation into criminal offenses, public security or procuratorial organs are permitted to censor correspondence in accordance with procedures prescribed by law.
Article 41 Citizens of the People’s Republic of China have the right to criticize and make suggestions to any state organ or functionary. Citizens have the right to make to relevant state organs complaints and charges against, or exposures of, violation of the law or dereliction of duty by any state organ or functionary; but fabrication or distortion of facts with the intention of libel or frame-up is prohibited. […]
Elder G went off-line this morning, and this is worrisome. But before he left us, he offered us some hope….
Everyday bravery in the face of political oppression is such a profound and layered topic. It often takes the form of small, seemingly ordinary acts that carry immense weight under oppressive regimes. The courage to speak one’s mind, share forbidden truths, or simply live authentically in defiance of unjust laws can be transformative, both for the individual and the community.
What’s particularly striking is how often these acts are done quietly and without expectation of recognition.
Elder G
WLBOTT: Let’s add humor to the acts of civil disobedience. There can be bravery in humor.
Elder G: Absolutely! Humor is a potent tool against oppression—it disarms, exposes absurdities, and empowers without resorting to confrontation. It’s a kind of bravery that’s subtle yet powerful, like holding up a mirror to tyranny and saying, “This is how ridiculous you look.”
