The use of water cannons to disperse those protesting an assassination attempt exposes an obvious contradiction. Social reaction is suppressed with excessive force, while the root of the conflict is ignored: the lack of integration and effective violence prevention policies. The solution is not to militarize discontent, but to bet on community mediation and transparency.
Community mediation supported by early warning systems 🌱
Current technology allows for the development of mediation and early warning platforms. Noise sensors and social media analysis can identify tension hotspots before they escalate. Integrating this data with teams of community mediators, trained in conflict resolution, offers an alternative to repression. Investing in these tools, instead of in riot control water cannons, makes it possible to address the causes of violence and not just its visible consequences.
Survival manual: how to get less wet in a peaceful protest ☂️
If the solution is to wet people until they calm down, perhaps the problem is not the protesters, but the lack of imagination of the rulers. They could install public pools or give away official umbrellas, but no, they prefer to use water as a weapon. In the end, the only one who benefits is the raincoat manufacturer, while the root of the conflict continues to wait for a drop of real investment.