Wow, your piece asked some great questions and issues a call for justice and support of those without voice. You also mentioned those too afraid to take a stand which I inferenced to be the one third of the Republican Party members, especially their elected representatives in northern (western, west, central) states that are cowed over and won’t speak out against Trump, even as he grows obviously more dictatorial by the day. It was amazing to see about 3.3 million march for the new Civil Rights movement, Black Lives Matter, and the woman’s march the day before Trump got inaugurated. Yet despite record and historic turn-outs, the largest in US history, the US government hardly recognized those mass civic movements, not promoting the John Lewis Voting rights bill, cancelling the right to Choice, still resisting Reparations, not ending Constitutional American Slavery under the 13th, which Louisiana voted to keep in 2022 (the voters in that state voted to keep “slavery”, the actual system of it their state constitution that reflects the 13th in language). Despite the apathy by white government officials in both parties in particular toward the will of the people (or at least those marching for women’s rights and BLM rights), we see more resistance to Democracy in America, just as terrifying as that in Russia.
BUT—you’re right. The marching and organizing must not stop and continue. Democracy only exists when the people constantly rise up against the oppressive forces (like DeSantis, or Gov Abbott here in Texas, or Putin) conspiring to take it down. Alexei had great support but paradoxically seemed like the last lone voice before a great silencing that will follow. There seems to be no inspirational oppositional figure left over there. They’ve all fallen off bridges and plunged into the Moskva River or off of very tall building (VTB) after developing Tall Bundling Syndrome (TBS) as you pointed out. Your piece provided me with deep reflection for today and inspiration. Thank you and stay well and true!