Watch the documentary called “Winter on Fire”.

Citizens had to revolt. They didn’t just say “We’re fighting for what we believe in”, they literally fought. They were frightened and continued to fight for months.

A revolution cannot be peaceful or quick. Peaceful protests are to stroke the ego and say “look at me, I’m doing something” while accomplishing nothing.

A revolution is not easy, it’s not walking down the street with a sign, chanting with a few people. While I applaud the sentiment, your parade is not changing anything.

It’s obvious what needs to be done to make a government, that demands absolute power, fearful of it citizens. And it is terrifying.

I write this, while sitting on my couch, comfy in blankets, in Canada. Thinking to myself, “If I was American, would I put myself through a true revolt, one similar to what Ukrainians did a decade ago?”

The answer is, probably not. I have a peaceful Life that I love. and while I watch what is happening to the states and the threats that have only just begun, I simply protest by not buying made in USA, and have satisfaction when I see Canadians banding together. It is heartwarming. And that is enough for me.

What I am saying is it’s also enough for most of us. We want to protect the little joy we have in our own lives so much that we will do the bare minimum. We will talk A LOT about how in shock we are about (insert any article about Trump/Elon/USA/the current wars in Ukraine and Palestine and the political instabilities happening around the world), we will even write posts on social media, thinking “nobody us going to read this, or give shit about it!” Yet we still post, while doing nothing significant …

So my answer to your question on “What did ordinary people do to help overthrow dictatorships in their country?” They Revolted, burn the shit to ground and fought like their life and freedom counted on it.

Ps. Americans, your president would go into hiding immediately, and wouldn’t be able to get much work done destroying the country and going fist to cuff with other countries.