Even freedom seekers and optimists across the globe would be surprised with the pace of contemporary happenings: freeing Afghanistan from clutches of a bastardized version of the “Green Revolution” and Iraq from a “blood-infested version of secular tyranny” are surprisingly reassuring symbols for enslaved masses. The “domino effect” of the regime changes in Afghanistan and Iraq has led to a number of popular uprisings around the world, mostly recognisable by the colourful names that are given to them.
Simmerings and the undercurrents for free elections are rampant in the Middle East and the Arab world, who knows why not the Iranian anti-clergy revolution in offing may have colorful name of saffron revolution, although in India that named was hijacked by the Hindu extremists to impose their brand of radicalism, but there should no reason for saffron not to be expressed as color for freedom instead of tyranny. Libyans denied by their leader the oil wealth of their nations should look for Black Gold Revolution.
Ukraine's “Orange Revolution” of 2004-2005 was a series of protests and political events that took place throughout the country in response to allegations of massive corruption, voter intimidation and direct electoral fraud during Ukraine's Presidential Run-off Election of November 21, 2004, as reported by numerous domestic and foreign observers. Orange was adopted by the protesters as the official color of the movement because it was the predominant color in opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko's election campaign during his run for president. The symbol of solidarity with Yushchenko's movement in Ukraine is an orange ribbon or a flag bearing his “Tak! (Yes!) Yushchenko!” slogan.
In the demonstrations in Kiev, the flag of Georgia had been among those on display in the city's Independence Square, while Yushchenko himself held up a rose in a seeming reference to the Rose Revolution. The Rose Revolution refers to a peaceful 2003 revolution in the country of Georgia that displaced President Eduard Shevardnadze. Sometimes called the Chestnut Revolution due to the abundance of chestnut trees in Kiev — the capital city of Ukraine and center of the revolution where a large 24-hour tent city was set up by Yushchenko supporters — the action was highlighted by a series of nationwide protests, sit-ins, and planned general strikes, organized by supporters of opposition candidate Yushchenko following the disputed results of the November 21 run-off election.
The Cedar Revolution is the most commonly used name for the chain of demonstrations in Lebanon (mainly Beirut) triggered by the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. It is also known as Lebanon's “Rabiee el Irz” (Cedar Spring), in reference to the prevailing season when protests first broke out, and also in deference to other famous freedom and independence movements like the Prague Spring.
The significance of the word “cedar” is in reference to a national emblem, the Lebanese cedar, a tree featured on the flag of Lebanon. The opposition has taken, as its symbol, the white and red scarf, and the pro-Hariri blue ribbon.The movement's motto was either Horryeh, Syedeh, Este'lel (Freedom, Sovereignty, Independence), or Ha'i'a, Horryeh, Wehdeh watanieh (Truth, Freedom, National unity).
Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan: The Supreme Court annuls the disputed 2005 parliamentary elections. President Askar Akayev flees the country, as protests in Bishkek and other cities continue to escalate. Parliament appoints Ishinbai Kadyrbekov as interim president. It is fitting amongst all these fast paced revolutions to remember the forerunners of these revolutions.
The seed of the present mushrooming of successful civilian revolutions can be traced to the will of thousands of students, who marched in the streets of Budapest on 23 October 1956, and the fortitude of Tankman's defiance on 5 June, 1989 [see here]. The two images one of Hungarian Revolution, also known as the Hungarian Uprising where civilians shown climbing over a disabled Soviet tank in Budapest and the Tankman or The Unknown Rebel, a striking still and motion photography of the small man standing alone before a column of very large tanks reached international audiences practically overnight these are imprinted in the minds of every enslaved and free human being. They are the pictures and sounds of every present civilian revolution.
Tankman is the nickname of the anonymous man who became internationally famous when he was filmed and photographed standing before a line of seventeen or more tanks during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989 in the People's Republic of China. The incident ironically took place on the Chang An Da Dao, or “Great Avenue of Everlasting Peace”, just a minute away from the Gate of Heavenly Peace, which leads into the Forbidden City, Beijing, on 5 June, 1989, the day after the Chinese government began cracking down violently on the protests. The man stood unwavering and alone in the middle of the road as the tanks approached him. He appeared to be holding two bags of some sort, one in each hand. As the tanks came to a stop, he appeared to be trying to wave them away.
In response, the front tank attempted to drive around the man, but the man repeatedly stepped into the path of the tank. After about half an hour of blocking the tanks, the man climbed up onto the top of the lead tank and had a conversation with the driver. Reports of what were said to the driver vary, including “Why are you here? My city is in chaos because of you”; “Go back, turn around, and stop killing my people”; “Go away”. Finally, anxious onlookers pulled the man down and absorbed him into the crowd and the tanks continued on their way.
The 1956, was a revolt in Hungary. The revolt was suppressed by the Hungarian government and Warsaw Pact troops. About 25-50,000 Hungarian insurgents and 7,000 Soviet troops were killed, thousands more were wounded, and nearly a quarter million left the country as refugees. On later attracting a number of workers and to her Hungarians; their numbers peaked at about 100,000. Hungarian soldiers on duty in the city supported the protesters, tearing the Soviet stars off their hats and throwing them into the crowds.From the intensity and timings of these new revolutions staged by civilians, one cannot overlook the fact that these revolutions find their roots in the past resistances to tyranny, but the question arises why those great resistances failed, why are the circumstances have all of sudden become ripe for peaceful revolutions to succeed. Fight backs of civilians that failed then are now succeeding. One can genuinely ask why?
These present day revolutions find their roots in philosophy that direct and unilateral action is possible and justifiable and that a super power should embrace the opportunities for democracy and security offered by its position as sole remaining superpower. Doctrine permitting pre-emptive strikes vis a vis doctrine of deterrence has given strength to these embryonic revolutions, they are not chance happenings but rather culminations of efforts as a result of change in focus, a policy of actively promoting democracy and freedom in all regions of the world. As Bush stated at West Point, “America has no empire to extend or utopia to establish. We wish for others only what we wish for ourselves — safety from violence, the rewards of liberty, and the hope for a better life.”
The Bush Doctrine has unleashed a pursuit for freedom in mind of enslaved man, this is a new phenomenon, this is what we are witnessing being unleashed right in front of our eyes, these tormenters running away from their seats have not become soft hearted over night, it is the change of attitude of their security forces refusing to fire on their own people and the establishment who are not ready to support crumbling regimes. No column of tanks come out to crush peaceful civilians, the will of security forces, the potency of war tribunals, the trial of war criminals of Serbian and the elections in unheard of places have made revolutions of civilians very pertinent.
The greater revolution that has happened is in the minds of people, the change of mind, the minds are not ready to accept slavery they want freedom. Those not ready to coexist in perfect harmony with the rest of the world are discarded and removed.
