They were young, many students; some were beaten with batons, tear-gassed, slapped on camera, groped in full public view for being women in that crowd. And still, day after day, through a relentless protest that stretched on for more than a month, they came back, until the government gave up the minister whose resignation they had been demanding all along.
Nobody chooses the situation that tests them. But there is something worth admiring in choosing to stay present in it anyway, instead of shrinking away like everyone assumed you would.
Congratulations to every one of them for reclaiming their spaces.
Three days left for the launch of my book, Refusing to Live in Black & White. To attend, request a free invite by registering on the website.