Thread by @trygveolson

I thought it might be interesting for people to provide some perspectives, having helped train so many freedom fighters like those who battle for change and democracy in Cuba.

Events today in Cuba are like all battles between those desiring democracy and those wishing to impose/maintain autocracy; a question of faith versus fear. Cuba has been under authoritarian control for over sixty years.

Cynical politicians on the right in the US are trying to make this a battle about socialism or communism. These tweets and pronouncements are nothing but cynical pandering intended for domestic political gain.

This from @marcorubio was perhaps the most outlandish (and I would add, the most pathetic)

https://twitter.com/trygveolson/status/1414644384407171078?s=20

For those on the streets in Cuba (both government & protestors), it is a question of critical mass. Training those fighting for democracy against autocrats worldwide, I would tell them there is a tipping point -- a point of critical mass where the protests become self-sustaining.

Once critical mass is reached, a dictatorial and repressive regime like the one in Cuba is finished. At this point, faith in each other leads those sitting on the sidelines to fear change not happening more than they fear the consequences of standing and fighting for it to happen

The hard part with getting to critical mass is you don't know how large the crowds have to become and how many people need to have the faith they can achieve success in changing the situation until you reach that point.

Those brave people now on the streets in Cuba are taking tremendous risks and are incredibly courageous. They are heroes. Like our founding fathers long ago, and so many thought history and in our world today in Burma or Belarus,

they are risking everything for an ideal they can live free and have rule by the people rather than by a few. The regime, meanwhile, is attempting to retain its control and order through fear.

They are using tactics like DEPENDENCY (you will go to our counter protest or lose your job), DISINFORMATION (the crowds are not large at all, just a few unhappy people), DIVIDE AND CONQUER (I am sure there a people within the protest movement they are attempting to convert

by any means necessary) and, of course, THREATS, REPRESSION, and VIOLENCE. It is the last one growing and where fear by the regime meets faith among the people.

At this point, it is impossible to say where it ends and which side prevails, at least from where I sit at the moment. That said, we all must recognize there is no turning back for those in Cuba on the streets and leading the protests; the game is zero-sum.

They will take down the regime, or the government will take them down (and a lot of them will either spend a lifetime in prison or meet a. worse fate).

Finally, if you are wondering what you can do to help, I would suggest at a minimum find ways to show you stand with those on the streets. There is a meaning for them knowing they are not alone. Tweet, post, and respond positively to others who are doing the same.

Perhaps attend a rally in your community (there are many occurring across the US and around the world). Let them know we who are blessed with democracy stand with all those who desire democracy that their battle for liberty is our battle.

Finally, given some of the challenges we face here at home in the US with illiberal tactics being used to foster extremism -- call out the hypocrisy when you see it by politicians who express their admiration for the courage of the Cubans but sit in silence or appease at home.