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Why Dissent is Important

You're a prisoner in your own home. Not able to fall asleep from the gunfire down the street, you fear that your house is next. You protested a new law that gave even more power to a despotic government. One of your friends was murdered, another was raped. This is a fear that has not played out in the western world. We have security, peace, and far more freedom than others.
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You're a prisoner in your own home. Not able to fall asleep from the gunfire down the street, you fear that your house is next. You protested a new law that gave even more power to a despotic government. One of your friends was murdered, another was raped. This is a fear that has not played out in the western world. We have security, peace, and far more freedom than others. We got to this security because our ancestors fought for it, risking their lives to make their world a better place. It all happened because of protest.

Since former President Hugo Chavez died of cancer, Venezuela's economy has taken a nose dive. President Nicolas Maduro has given the country an inflation rate of 56 per cent to go along with an almost 50 per cent increase in the budget deficit. The currency is atrocious, and supplies are not reaching the country, leaving citizens desolate. Justifiably Venezuelans have hit the streets; in response Maduro's goons are shooting protesters on the streets, at their homes, and wherever the protesters are assumed to be.

In Ukraine, a people who wanted a more exclusive relationship with the western world, broke an anti-protest law, and dodged bullets to force their prime minister from office. Ukrainians lost their lives, but they are slowly winning their freedom. What we saw in Kiev was a replay of world history. When people are oppressed by their government or an unjust law, defiance is the best weapon you can use in your fight for freedom.

Story continues below..

Ukraine Riots (GRAPHIC WARNING)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(01 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses the crowd in Independence Square after being freed from prison on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukrainian members of parliament have voted to oust Viktor Yanukovych and bring presidential elections forward to the 25th of May. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(02 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses the crowd in Independence Square after being freed from prison on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukrainian members of parliament have voted to oust Viktor Yanukovych and bring presidential elections forward to the 25th of May. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(03 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses anti-government protesters on Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(04 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: People listen as former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses anti-government protesters on Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(05 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: A large photograph of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko hangs on the side of a structure on Independence Square before her address to anti-government protesters gathered there on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(06 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Women hold candles during a vigil for anti-government protesters killed in clashes with police earlier in the week as they wait for former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to address the crowd on Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(07 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: A man accused of being a pro-government provocateur is pulled from the crowd as former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses anti-government protesters on Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(08 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: People listen as former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses anti-government protesters on Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(09 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko (C) addresses anti-government protesters on Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(10 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses the crowd in Independence Square after being freed from prison on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukrainian members of parliament have voted to oust Viktor Yanukovych and bring presidential elections forward to the 25th of May. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(11 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses anti-government protesters on Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(12 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses anti-government protesters on Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(13 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses the crowd in Independence Square after being freed from prison on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukrainian members of parliament have voted to oust Viktor Yanukovych and bring presidential elections forward to the 25th of May. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(14 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: The body of an anti-government protester killed in clashes with police is carried through Independence Square ahead of a speech by former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Tymoshenko, the leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych, traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(15 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: People await a speech by former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko to anti-government protesters gathered in Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Tymoshenko, the leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(16 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: A large photograph of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko hangs on the side of a structure on Independence Square before her address to anti-government protesters gathered there on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(17 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Orthodox priests pray on stage before a speech by former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Tymoshenko, the leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(18 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: A large photograph of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko hangs on the side of a structure on Independence Square before her address to anti-government protesters gathered there on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(19 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses the crowd in Independence Square after being freed from prison on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukrainian members of parliament have voted to oust Viktor Yanukovych and bring presidential elections forward to the 25th of May. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(20 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses the crowd in Independence Square after being freed from prison on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukrainian members of parliament have voted to oust Viktor Yanukovych and bring presidential elections forward to the 25th of May. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(21 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses the crowd in Independence Square after being freed from prison on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukrainian members of parliament have voted to oust Viktor Yanukovych and bring presidential elections forward to the 25th of May. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(22 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses the crowd in Independence Square after being freed from prison on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukrainian members of parliament have voted to oust Viktor Yanukovych and bring presidential elections forward to the 25th of May. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(23 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses the crowd in Independence Square after being freed from prison on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Ukrainian members of parliament have voted to oust Viktor Yanukovych and bring presidential elections forward to the 25th of May. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(24 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses anti-government protesters on Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(25 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: A poster of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is held up in the crowd on Independence Square before her address to anti-government protesters gathered there on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ukrainian MPs Vote To Oust President Viktor Yanukovych(26 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 22: Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko addresses anti-government protesters on Independence Square on February 22, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. The leader of the 2004 Orange Revolution against current embattled President Viktor Yanukovych traveled to Kiev to address the crowd immediately after being released from prison on what many claim were politically motivated charges. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(27 of122)
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A protester aims a rifle towards riot police as protesters advance to new positions advance to new positions near the Independence square in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. At least 10 protesters were killed on Thursday in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, an AFP correspondent at the scene said. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(28 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(29 of122)
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A protester aims a rifle towards riot police as protesters advance to new positions advance to new positions near the Independence square in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. At least 10 protesters were killed on Thursday in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, an AFP correspondent at the scene said. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(30 of122)
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Protesters walk past a burning bus as they advance to new positions near the Independence square in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. At least 10 protesters were killed on Thursday in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, an AFP correspondent at the scene said. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(31 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(32 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(33 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters carry the injured during continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(34 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters carry the injured during continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(35 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters carry the injured during continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(36 of122)
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Paramedics carry a wounded protester in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. At least 10 protesters were killed on Thursday in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, an AFP correspondent at the scene said. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(37 of122)
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Protesters erect new barricades as they advance to new positions near Independence square in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. At least 10 protesters were killed on Thursday in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, an AFP correspondent at the scene said. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(38 of122)
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Protesters erect new barricades as they advance to new positions near Independence square in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. At least 10 protesters were killed on Thursday in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, an AFP correspondent at the scene said. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(39 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters carry the injured during continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(40 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters carry the injured during continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(41 of122)
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Protesters erect new barricades as they advance to new positions near Independence square in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. At least 10 protesters were killed on Thursday in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, an AFP correspondent at the scene said. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-POLITICS-UNREST(42 of122)
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Protesters erect new barricades as they advance to new positions near Independence square in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. At least 10 protesters were killed on Thursday in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, an AFP correspondent at the scene said. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS(43 of122)
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Protestors kneel near a demonstrator wounded by police sniper during clashes with the police in the center of Kiev on February 20, 2014. Live ammunition was being used on Thursday in fresh clashes in the heart of Kiev that claimed the life of at least ten protesters and left about a dozens injured. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS(44 of122)
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Protesters stand behind burning barricades during a face-off against police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. AFP PHOTO/BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS(45 of122)
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Protesters stand behind burning barricades during a face-off against police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. AFP PHOTO/BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS(46 of122)
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Protesters burn as they stand behind burning barricades during clashes with police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Ukraine's embattled leader announced a 'truce' with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation. The shocking scale of the violence three months into the crisis brought expressions of grave concern from the West and condemnation of an 'attempted coup' by the Kremlin. AFP PHOTO/BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS(47 of122)
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Protesters try to protect themselves from fire as they stand behind burning barricades during clashes with police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Ukraine's embattled leader announced a 'truce' with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation. The shocking scale of the violence three months into the crisis brought expressions of grave concern from the West and condemnation of an 'attempted coup' by the Kremlin. AFP PHOTO/BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS(48 of122)
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Protesters burn as they stand behind burning barricades during clashes with police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Ukraine's embattled leader announced a 'truce' with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation. The shocking scale of the violence three months into the crisis brought expressions of grave concern from the West and condemnation of an 'attempted coup' by the Kremlin. AFP PHOTO/BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS(49 of122)
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Protesters stand behind barricades during a face-off against police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Ukraine's embattled leader announced a 'truce' with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation. The shocking scale of the violence three months into the crisis brought expressions of grave concern from the West and condemnation of an 'attempted coup' by the Kremlin. AFP PHOTO/BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS(50 of122)
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A protester stands behind barricades during clashes with police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Ukraine's embattled leader announced a 'truce' with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation. The shocking scale of the violence three months into the crisis brought expressions of grave concern from the West and condemnation of an 'attempted coup' by the Kremlin. AFP PHOTO / BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS(51 of122)
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Protesters gather behind barricades during clashes with police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Ukraine's embattled leader announced a 'truce' with the opposition as he prepared to get grilled by visiting EU diplomats over clashes that killed 26 and left the government facing diplomatic isolation. The shocking scale of the violence three months into the crisis brought expressions of grave concern from the West and condemnation of an 'attempted coup' by the Kremlin. AFP PHOTO / BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
UKRAINE-UNREST-EU-RUSSIA-POLITICS(52 of122)
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Protesters stand behind burning barricades during a face-off against police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. AFP PHOTO/BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Ukranian riot police clash with protestors on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. AFP PHOTO/BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Protesters stand behind burning barricades during a face-off against police on February 20, 2014 in Kiev. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. AFP PHOTO/BULENT KILIC (Photo credit should read BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(55 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: (EDITORS NOTE: GRAPHIC CONTENT) Anti-government protesters carry the injured during continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Despite an overnight truce, violence has again flared up as Police stormed the 'Maidan' protest camp in Independence Square. Heavy casualties have been reported as Special Forces are using live ammunition. Protesters are seeking to oust President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(56 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(57 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters, continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(58 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters man barricades during demonstrations in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(59 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters let off fireworks during demonstrations in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union.(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(60 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: An anti-government protester throws a tire onto fires during demonstrations in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(61 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters man barricades during demonstrations in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(62 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters stand behind a line of burning tires and debris on Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between anti-government protesters and police as the Ukrainian parliament is meant to take up the question of whether to revert to the country's 2004 constitution. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Medical volunteers treat an injured anti-government protester in a makeshift clinic near Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between anti-government protesters and police as the Ukrainian parliament is meant to take up the question of whether to revert to the country's 2004 constitution. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(64 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters use a compressed air cannon to launch a Molotov cocktail toward police lines on Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between anti-government protesters and police as the Ukrainian parliament is meant to take up the question of whether to revert to the country's 2004 constitution. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(65 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters man barricades during demonstrations in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(66 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters, continue to their clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(67 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters, continue to their clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(68 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters carry the injured during continued clashes with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(69 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters, continue to their clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(70 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters, continue to their clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(71 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters, continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Protesters evacuate a wounded demonstrator near Independence square in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Protesters advance to new positions near the Independence square in Kiev on February 20, 2014. Hundreds of armed protesters charged police barricades Thursday on Kiev's central Independence Square, despite a truce called just hours earlier by the country's embattled president. Protesters pushed the police back about 200 metres and were in control of most of the square they had occupied at the start of Ukraine's three-month-old political crisis. At least 10 protesters were killed on Thursday in fresh clashes between thousands of demonstrators and heavily-armed riot police in the heart of Kiev, an AFP correspondent at the scene said. AFP PHOTO / LOUISA GOULIAMAKI (Photo credit should read LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 20: Anti-government protesters, continue to clash with police in Independence square, despite a truce agreed between the Ukrainian president and opposition leaders on February 20, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. (credit:Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. (credit:Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)
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Policemen try to avoid flames from molotov cocktails during clashes with anti-government protesters in front of the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Police on Tuesday fired rubber bullets at stone-throwing protesters as they demonstrated close to Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, an AFP reporter at the scene said. Police also responded with smoke bombs after protesters hurled paving stones at them as they sought to get closer to the heavily-fortified parliament building. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII STEPANOV (Photo credit should read ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Women make molotov cocktails as anti-government protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. (credit:Reuters)
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Anti-government protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. (credit:Reuters)
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Anti-government protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. (credit:Reuters)
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Anti-government protesters clash with police in Independence Square on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. Violent clashes erupted yesterday following renewed anti-government protests, with the death toll rising to 25. (credit:Reuters)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19, 2014 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19, 2014 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An anti-government protesters uses a slingshot during clashes with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters protect themselves behind shields as they clash with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An anti-government protester wearing a helmet stands on Independence Square in Kiev during clashes with the police early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protester clash with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesteras take part in clashes with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters hold Ukrainian flags as they clash with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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An anti-government protester takes part in clashes with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters throw cobblestones as they clash with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police on Independence Square in Kiev early on February 19, 2014. Protesters braced on February 19 for a fresh assault by riot police in central Kiev after a day of clashes left at least 25 people dead in the worst violence since the start of Ukraine's three-month political crisis. As dawn rose over Kiev's battered city centre, protesters hurled paving stones and Molotov cocktails at lines of riot police that had pushed into the heart of the devastated protest camp on Independence Square. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(97 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(98 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Violence Escalates As Kiev Protests Continue(99 of122)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Fireworks fly over Independence Square, known as Maidan, during clashes in the early hours of on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors. AFP PHOTO/SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: Anti-government protesters guard the perimeter of Independence Square, known as Maidan, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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KIEV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 19: A fire truck is used to rescue people from the upper floors of a burning Trade Unions Building, which has been used as the de facto headquarters for anti-government protesters, on February 19, 2014 in Kiev, Ukraine. After several weeks of calm, violence has again flared between police and anti-government protesters, who are calling for the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych over corruption and an abandoned trade agreement with the European Union. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors. AFP PHOTO/ GENYA SAVILOV (Photo credit should read GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors. AFP PHOTO/ SERGEI SUPINSKY (Photo credit should read SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors. AFP PHOTO/ GENYA SAVILOV (Photo credit should read GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors. AFP PHOTO/ GENYA SAVILOV (Photo credit should read GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors. AFP PHOTO/ GENYA SAVILOV (Photo credit should read GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors. AFP PHOTO/ GENYA SAVILOV (Photo credit should read GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police during their storming of the Independence Square in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Flames engulfed the main anti-government protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square on Tuesday as riot police tried to force demonstrators out following the bloodiest clashes in three months of protests. The iconic square turned into a war zone as riot police moved slowly through opposition barricades from several directions, hurling stun grenades and using water cannon to clear protestors. AFP PHOTO/ GENYA SAVILOV (Photo credit should read GENYA SAVILOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Anti-government protesters clash with the police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Police on Tuesday launched an assault on the main anti-government protest camp on Kiev's Independence Square after the bloodiest clashes in almost three months of anti-government demonstrations, AFP journalists at the scene said. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO (Photo credit should read ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Burnt out vehicles remain after protesters clashes withpolice in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Police on Tuesday fired rubber bullets at stone-throwing protesters as they demonstrated close to Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, an AFP reporter at the scene said. Police also responded with smoke bombs after protesters hurled paving stones at them as they sought to get closer to the heavily-fortified parliament building. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO (Photo credit should read ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Protesters clash with police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Police on Tuesday fired rubber bullets at stone-throwing protesters as they demonstrated close to Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, an AFP reporter at the scene said. Police also responded with smoke bombs after protesters hurled paving stones at them as they sought to get closer to the heavily-fortified parliament building. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO (Photo credit should read ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Police clash with anti-government protesters in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Police on Tuesday fired rubber bullets at stone-throwing protesters as they demonstrated close to Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, an AFP reporter at the scene said. Police also responded with smoke bombs after protesters hurled paving stones at them as they sought to get closer to the heavily-fortified parliament building. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO (Photo credit should read ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Protesters clash with police in Kiev on February 18, 2014. Police on Tuesday fired rubber bullets at stone-throwing protesters as they demonstrated close to Ukraine's parliament in Kiev, an AFP reporter at the scene said. Police also responded with smoke bombs after protesters hurled paving stones at them as they sought to get closer to the heavily-fortified parliament building. AFP PHOTO/ ANATOLII BOIKO (Photo credit should read ANATOLII BOIKO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)

Without dissent we would not be where we are right now in our home country. Without Nellie McClung and other suffragists holding a protest at Walker Theatre in Winnipeg, back in 1914, would women have the right to vote in this country? Would they hold any position of power? McClung did not simply accept her circumstances, she fought the law, and she won. Freedom and human rights would not be given to her and her fellow Canadian women by asking their husbands politely to petition the government. They did not stay in the kitchen, cook meals and give birth to babies. They wanted more out of their lives, they wanted equal treatment, and they got it through protest.

In America, African Americans after they were freed from slavery were crippled by Jim Crow laws which prevented them from choosing where they could sit on a bus. They were also segregated from whites, and forced to enter public buildings through back entrances, away from their fellow man. Entire towns banned African Americans; some unions even barred blacks from joining. To be an African America during the Jim Crow era meant you were subhuman.

In April 1963, King travelled to Birmingham, Alabama to show support for a campaign to remove racist signs from businesses in the city. A deal was struck to remove racist signs on the windows of the city's merchants. The signs came down, but as time passed most of them came back up. So MLK joined a campaign of sit ins and marches to condemn the broken promise, and fight for segregation. In order to squash the protests, a judge filed an injunction against protest, which like the protestors in Ukraine, did not deter King. He ended up in jail, and wrote one of the most famous jailhouse letters ever printed.

A smuggled newspaper brought to King's attention, a letter by eight clergymen who criticized his methods of protest. Instead of being intimidated and staying silent, he penned a passionate letter that succinctly explained why protesting the current laws of his land was important. He brilliantly wrote the timeless words, "We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed." That sentence is a true expression of the constant fight for freedom. The citizens of Thailand, Ukraine, and Venezuela know this, and they are not sitting by politely and waiting for their demands to be heard. They are screaming from rooftops, and demanding change. They know the power of protest.

Our freedom will never be guaranteed. Whether a government claims civil liberties are up for debate due to terrorism, or whether their disastrous economic policies are excused as a necessity to eliminate poverty and unemployment, our rights will always be in the crosshairs.

Barack Obama has executed Americans without due process; he spies on his citizens as well as you and me.He signed a law that allows for the indefinite detention of an American without trial, or any communication with family or a lawyer. Obama is not a complete tyrant, but tyrannical laws are in the books, and the time could come for Americans to rise up. We, Canadians have it pretty good, but that could also change with a stroke of a pen and a bullet. We must show solidarity with global citizens who want freedom from a government that has stolen all of the power.

Dissent is the most important action in a functioning society. Without the threat of an uprising, an increasingly powerful and despotic government will slowly but swiftly erode the freedoms we hold dear. We must value our right to speak up, move where we please, and have security in our homes, and in our persons. If we don't, tyranny will rain down on us swiftly, and harshly, leaving us with bodies, but no souls.

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