It Can Be Done
On Tuesday , Dec. 3rd, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. After 10 days of mass protests he was impeached. He was arrested one month later.
On Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025, mass protests erupted in Bulgaria following President Zhelyazkov’s announcement of a tax increase. Crowds estimated at 1.5% of the population attended protests across the country. By December 11th, the Zhelyazkov government had been forced to resign.
On Monday, November 20th, 1989, a mass demonstration of 100,000 people was held in Prague. Students and actors declared a permanent strike, and the next day demonstrations were held in major cities across Czechoslovakia. On November 27th a two hour (you read that correctly) general strike was attended by 75% of the population. On November 29th the Communist party removed the clause about its "leading role" from the constitution, and on December 7th the government resigned. On December 29th Vaclav Havel became president of the Czech Republic.
On Tuesday, Dec. 19th, 1989, 100,000 protesters occupied Opera Square in Bucharest. After 6 days of further protests, rioting and military defections, Romanian President Nicolae Ceaușescu was tried, convicted and executed.
Every one of them on a weekday. A Monday or a Tuesday. Masses of people skipping work, skipping school, skipping meetings and lunches and doctors appointments. Not everyone, of course. Not even half, or a quarter, or even an 8th of everyone. But enough to make urgently necessary change happen.
It can be done.
