Now this is what you call commitment! These Hong Kong democracy protesters came in their own battle gear to stand up against a massive display of police force armed to the teeth & going hog wild with the tear gas. But they came in their thousands & numbers is the strength of working people & the force of justice.

We should honor these protesters, now on the front line of the fight for democracy which is a worldwide struggle manifesting on every continent. Political struggle engages ordinary people to collectively accomplish the extraordinary task of social transformation. Struggle for justice is when the creativity & genius of ordinary people becomes most apparent. And these makeshift gas masks are only the half of it.

We salute them & send them our fullest solidarity.

(Photo by Alex Hofford/EPA)