The struggle for a free society has in the past witnessed mass demonstrations that often turned bloody. Successive regimes were quick to result to violence. Over time citizens used force as the only sure way to express displeasure with the state. These were the days of torture chambers and riot police. I believe the climax of this sad history was the post-election violence of 2007/2008. The constitution now recognises the right to demonstrate and petition the state, and this is a progressive move. This approach was resulted to due to the state's attitude of using brutal force. Case in point is the hunger strike by Prof Wangari Maathai and other women on Uhuru Park.
However it is important to recognise that the tide in human rights advocacy is changing. Diplomacy is slowly taking centre stage. If we are to succeed in protecting the constitutional rights, we have to talk to one another. Non-violent action has to be our last result.
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