On March 12, 1930, Indians gathered together in Ahmedabad under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi to march to the sea near the village of Dandi. It was 24-day, 240-mile long journey to produce salt without paying tax to the British overlords that ruled the country. It has been dubbed as one of the most prominent early examples of modern civil disobedience. It helped bring down an empire. It was not without violence. British thugs attacked and bludgeoned thousands of Indians near the water's edge. Indians were not deterred, taking the blow of injustice in stride to show that they would not stand by apathetically. The world took notice, as international media covered the event, dramatically changing the international sentiments toward British rule of India. That organization that the world witnessed continued throughout the next decade and a half and ultimately brought down the ruthlessness of what Imperial Britain employed in India. Now, almost 80 years to the date Gandhi began his march to the sea, known as the Salt Satyagraha, Arabs are in protest mode. Two months of anti-government demonstrations have already brought down two of the most authoritarian regime's in the Middle East. Egypt and Tunisia may be slightly different than the movements going on in Bahrain, Yemen, Libya and Algeria. These movements may not need a Gandhi-like figure, but they certainly could use a “March to the Sea” moment that galvanizes, once and for all, local and international support for their revolution. Leaders in the above-mentioned countries have again resorted to violence, trickery and all out attacks on protesters, who are voicing their right as citizens, for change. Instead of acquiescing to the government's ploy, the anti-government protesters can follow Gandhi and India's “March to the Sea” method of non-cooperation. There is no time to cooperate with the governments, no need for dialogue, the people across the region have spoken. Now they can speak with their feet and bodies. Salt was an untouchable resource for British India. In most countries, the presidential palaces are places that would throw caution to the wind. Gathering one million people and marching on the palaces would show the countries, the world, and ultimately, each leader that they will soon follow Mubarak and Ben Ali. Their time is come. It should remain peaceful, even in the face of almost certain violence. When the soldiers come, protesters will likely be forced to take blow upon blow – and they have already shown they can withstand violence. It will be an abhorrent action – the final straw – that will complete a revolution. The protesters have already understood that nonviolence is not weak, and that the past two months have revealed an Arab spirit many observers thought was lost to the dictators that rule this region. By going to the presidential palaces, Yemenis, Bahrainis, Libyans and Algerians can show their fellow citizens that the time is now for change. There is no more talk. The protesters will chant their way to a new country, one that will be followed and used by other regions worldwide to throw off the yoke of oppressors. After decades of living in fear, marching to the presidential palaces would be the culmination of a protest movement that demands people to take note of history truly taking place in our midst. One must have faith in the movement. It has begun, which country will be the next to fall to the will of the people? It is not an if, but a when. ** Joseph Mayton is the Editor-in-chief of Bikyamasr.com BM
