Dictators v Democrats: Why We Fight
A 'Dictators v Democrats' program https://tamullis.substack.com/
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Democracy is at war. We can see the forces rallied against it: autocratic states like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, techno-aristocrats, religious fundamentalists and populist demagogues.
From the trenches of Ukraine to the halls of power in the US, democratic, free values are under determined assault.
But, there are those who resist.
In 'Why We Fight' we talk to those who claim to be defending democracy; that's everyone from soldiers, protestors, activists, religious leaders, industrialists and politicians.
We find out who they are, what drove them to take up the struggle, what their work is and why their idea of democracy is worth fighting for.
Dictators v Democrats: Why We Fight
The Hong Konger Dissident: Ray Wong
“If you fire, fire at me.”
During Hong Kong’s Umbrella Revolution in 2014, Ray Wong saw an older man stand in front of armed police and offer his life to protect the crowd. That moment changed Wong forever, and set him on a path from student protester to activist leader, and finally into exile.
In this episode of Dictators v Democrats: Why We Fight, Ray — now policy and strategy advisor at Hong Kong Watch — tells his story: how the Umbrella Revolution brought together a generation, why “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times” became the defining slogan, and what it means to keep resisting under authoritarian pressure.
Also found on Youtube and Substack
We discuss:
- The turning point of the Umbrella Revolution
- The birth of the Be Water protest strategy
- Beijing’s United Front and its reach into Europe
- Exile, surveillance, and the personal cost of resistance
- Why authoritarian regimes are weaker than they look
🎧 A conversation about protest, exile, and why democracy is always worth fighting for.
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