It wasn’t the sculpture that impressed me, although it’s a massive and imposing sight at the edge of the Lima River. The Monumento ao 25 de Abril is a public sculpture dedicated to Portugal’s nonviolent revolution, which ended one of the world’s longest dictatorships.
At the top of the door-shaped metal structure are three suspended links of chain. Each one heavy as an adult human, the rust resembling corruption, censorship, fear, retaliation, ego, senseless killing, and the insidious normalization of cruelty.
But the suspended chain doesn’t reach the ground. One link is cut at the top, and the remaining pieces lie collapsed on the ground.
The 1974 Revolution Broke the Chain
Fifty-three years ago, the people of Portugal ended decades of dictatorship via the Carnation Revolution. It did not begin with a gunshot, but with music. In a coordinated and clandestine effort, liberators arranged for radio stations to broadcast a specific song across the nation—a signal that the moment had come.
At the first notes, soldiers moved into position, and the streets filled with citizens. The revolution takes its name from the carnations people placed in the barrels of rifles. Without widespread violence, the people declared the dictatorship over—and it was.
Music and carnations and people acting together with heart and courage, somehow breaking that one crucial link and releasing the heavy chains of oppression. That’s what really stays with me.
A Message for Today
It is easy to feel hopeless, afraid, and isolated. But staying stuck is only useful to those in the process of consolidating power. When communities fracture and mistrust reigns, the ultra-rich and powerful rub their hands together with glee. This frees them up to do whatever they wish.
Friction: Our job is to create friction for them and collaboration among the rest of us. That’s why our Checklist always includes calls to elected officials. If we fail to impose our demands on them and take up staff time to share where we stand, they will keep doing whatever they want. This is one of many ways to increase friction so our voices are heard.
Collaboration: We must be disciplined in not falling into the neighbor-as-enemy trap. Focus on collaborating with people and groups whose values align with our own. Even if their party doesn’t. What can we do together that will put an end to the erosion of constitutional rights and assaults to democracy?
Goal: Unlike older nations, we don’t yet have a monument to mark our transition to a restored and just democracy. But if we did, would it be broken chains? France’s Liberty leading the people? The crumbled walls of Berlin? We must recognize that we are not at the end of the story right now. We are in the middle. But our goal of a just democracy is nonetheless clear.
That Day Is Coming
No matter how bleak, we must remember that we outnumber those who are hoarding power. Revolutions are rarely cinematic, but they are a culmination of many people deciding to act as one. Such change is not inevitable. It requires our presence, together. As the poet June Jordan said, “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”
So, instead of scanning more news, open this week’s Checklist. Take one action along with the hundreds of thousands of Americans showing up right now to secure a brighter future.
Rest assured that, as they did in the Carnation Revolution, these actions are adding up—however hard that may be to see some days. Slowly but surely, the strength of persistent justice is wearing away at the chains hobbling our democracy.
Cut one link and the rest will fall.