You lock arms with your comrades holding the intersection. We’ve got a god damned right to protest and they’d be wrong to think they can take it away without a fight. In fact most of the rights we enjoy were won by brave people who defied the authorities of their time without resorting to violence. That level of barbarism is relegated to the oppressors.
The police have formed a tight column around you now, but the crowd remains unflinching. A police megaphone announces
“IF YOU DO NOT DISPERCE NOW, WE WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO USE FORCE TO REMOVE YOU”
“Stay close everyone! They can force us to do anything if we’re divided but there’s nothing they can do against a united front!”
You try and take that message to heart fighting back a rising sense of panic that sticks in your throat making it hard to swallow. You realise your committed now, the police have you completely surrounded and there are no more chances to change your mind. Your nervous grip around your neighbours arm tightens, you take a deep breath and summon your courage.
People around you start singing songs of solidarity to keep up morale, it seems natural to join in. As you feel your voice resonating with over a thousand others your collective strength as a group becomes a physical sensation throughout your body. You begin to realize the impotence of the police intimidation tactics, their threats alone are not going to clear the streets and they know it, but that doesn’t mean they’re not going to give it a try first. The sting of pepper spray bites your eyes and lungs. People are being dragged off and detained from around the edges of the crowd, but overall the group holds firm. Your determination, unity and overwhelming numbers make you strong and it’s becoming apparent even to the police, that they really can’t arrest you all.
Elsewhere a riot has broken out and there’s still a protest back at the park, they are losing control of the situation. Gradually the police are diverted away from your position, unfortunately, taking some of your comrades away with them.
The firm grip you have around your neighbour’s arm becomes a warm hug.
“Hey! We Won!” you say through a massive smile that is now uncontrollably smeared across your face.
“Of course we did. Did you ever doubt it?”
“Well, yeah actually.” Is your sheepish reply.
“No sweat. Me too!” they say laughing “But it’s a damn fine example of our overall strategy. We’re gona talk it over more at the meeting tonight. Are you coming?”