Of course, “the people” are never truly one: fickle in their loyalties and subject to demagoguery, they often unite in opposition but fracture once in command. Nonetheless, the willingness of large numbers of people to stand up (or sit in) for their right to be heard, despite the imminent possibility of violent repression, announces to their fellow citizens and the world that something has gone very wrong.
当然，“人民”从来不是单一的：他们的忠诚时刻变化着，他们极易受到煽动，他们经常因反对而集结，因禁制令而解散。尽管如此，大批人民仍愿意站起来（或静坐着）争取发声的权利，即使暴力镇压随时可能出现也在所不惜，这不啻于向同志和全世界宣告有些东西大错特错了。