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Americans complaining about tyranny and censorship may take for granted the freedom we do have here in this country until they see firsthand the real oppression experienced by those living in some other countries. Last weekend, those who know what is happening in China gave us a sobering reminder when approximately 200 protesters gathered near the White House to light candles and shout "Free China!" in response to the true censorship and genuinely severe anti-virus controls there.
Demanding that President Xi Jinping and the ruling Communist Party give up power, they held up blank sheets of paper to protest the party's brutal censorship. They are free to do that here.
"I did not care much about these public issues before as it did not happen to me," said a Chinese student who would give only her surname, Liu, due to fear of retaliation. "The COVID policy is really improper. Now that I am in a country with free speech, I shall do my best when my rights can be protected."
Others joined in, as they realized an opportunity exists here that does not, in China.
Uighurs, Tibetans and members of other ethnic minorities targeted for surveillance and control by the Communist Party joined the protests.
"I was encouraged by the courageous young people in China," said a man who refused to give his name.
"How can we not stand up after they did?" he said. "I shall at least let them know they were not alone."
As safe as they are here, notice neither of the folks interviewed by the Associated Press was willing to give enough information that their families might be targeted in China. That, ladies and gentlemen, is true tyranny and oppression.
While you are whining about censorship because you experience the consequences of the words you are free to speak and post, or squawking about tyranny when a government official suggests it will keep you and your loves ones safer if you are vaccinated and/or wear a mask, others understand they are free and safe here and STILL need to worry about whether their actions could put their loved ones elsewhere in danger.
Think about that, and think twice the next time you are about to take for granted the freedom all that we have here in the U.S.