As an eyewitness to events here in Kiev, I want to share observations and comments with other people. The Orange Revolution is a historic event with great consequences not only for Ukraine but for freedom and democracy in Belarus and Russia.

Friday, December 17, 2004

THE NEW MINUTEMEN OF THE ORANGE REVOLUTION

During the American Revolution, minutemen were militia who were highly mobile and able to assemble on a moments notice. In the less violent, yet no less important, Orange Revolution in Ukraine, a new modern version of the heroic minutemen of old has come to be.

In the relative quite of the past week, as public expressions of support for the Ukrainian opposition have mellowed, it would be easy to think that the public is losing interest. But enter many homes in Kiev and you will see, hanging by the door, some of the weapons of the Orange Revolution. Hats, scarves and other articles of clothing, either orange or having some orange color, stand at the ready. The minuteman’s most common weapon, a bit of orange ribbon or tape likewise stands ready. The special Fisherman’s Corps stands ready to assemble, fishing poles held high displaying all manner of flag and banner.

Yes. The protesters may have, for the most part, left the street. Yet they are standing by. Men, women and children, 99% of which had no plan to participate in a national movement to rescue the soul of Ukraine, all are standing by.

Did I mention their most important weapon? Their hearts! The collective heart of the nation and the individual heart of the individual protester, driven to stand, unarmed, against an overwhelming authoritarian regime. We now know that bullets were issued to the regime’s interior troops. A slaughter of the protesters was only barely averted. Yet they stood. They stood brave. They stood true.

I have no doubt that these few weeks will go down in history as one of Ukraine’s finest moments.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

As I watch Yushchenko's speech from Maidan, I send out "Slava, Slava, Slava, ..." to you Raul and all who have taken up the cause to participate in rescuing the soul of Ukraine. SLAVA to the new Minutemen! and SLAVA to Minutewomen! ;) and SLAVA to Minutechildren! :)

8:36 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR Raul!

5:08 PM

 
Blogger boudica of suburbia said...

"Soul and body sacrificing, for our freedom cherished"

Great Blog!
xx Vc

3:29 AM

 

Post a Comment

<< Home