Obstructionism in the … agitators_law_events.1
…'s rhetoric has drawn negative attention to the representatives of the …, who he has condemned for obstructing the passage of ….
"The …! A conglomeration of rats, sitting in their gilded seats and claiming to serve the interests of the people. And yet the people have spoken, and it is the demand of those very people that they cease and desist!"
Political Imprisonment agitators_law_events.2
… and … supporters have publicly petitioned at a prison in … for the release of a pro-… protester held there on charges of disorderly conduct.
The prisoner sat in his lightless cell, staring listlessly at the wall. The voices were beginning to carve through his mind again, repeating his name over and over again, giving voice to his torment. He closed his eyes, and covered his ears, bidding it to stop. Only when blissful silence finally fell over him did he realize that the chants were not coming from within his head at all.
Foreign Emulation agitators_law_events.3
The successes that … have seen with its policies of … have been noticed by supporters of …, who point towards it as an example of ideal government.
… held up the newspaper with an expression of amusement on … face "You see this? This is an admission of victory. It may call us spies, agents of foreign powers, but it also concedes that the change we desire it not, indeed, something alien, without precedent..."
Compromising the People agitators_law_events.4
Representatives of the … in the government have demanded several compromises in the enactment of …. These measures have already been condemned by supporters of … as corrosive to the reform as a whole.
"The word of a mob in the street will not change the nature of the national interest. We have chosen to stand by our principles, and avert this government from making a terrible mistake. That is all, and that is all there ever will be."
Confusion and Delay agitators_law_events.5
Supporters of … among the …, headed by …, have questioned the government publicly on the amount of time that is required in order for the law to pass.
"The government is, at this time, carrying out an atrocity through cold bureaucracy. It favors procedure over lives, paperwork over hunger. How many people need to suffer for the sake of the feelings of some government functionaries who have never felt a speck of hunger in their lives? Documents can wait, ladies and gentlemen—but the people's suffering cannot!"
The People's Opposition agitators_law_events.6
The activities of … have stirred up significant public opposition for the enaction of …. Certain figures in the … are concerned as to how this could affect their support amongst the people.
A sea of papers blanketed the walls of the capital, regardless of the sanitary services' valiant nightly attempts to remove them. … stabbed a finger at a building at random. "Do you see that? How am I supposed to arrange support for the measure if it could be my home being vandalized next?"
Despicable Neutrality agitators_law_events.7
The public agitation that … has inspired against … has led the … to refuse to support the law in its current state.
"We regret to inform you that our mind is set on this matter. It is clear that popular support is viciously against the law in its current form, and we have no interest in siding with a proposal that has been demonstrated to be toxic in totality."
A Torrent of Abuse agitators_law_events.8
… has launched a vicious series of insults against … for his support of …. The … have demanded the government act to defend … honor.
"… has the mentality of a particularly slow child. This is simply the reality of … situation. I severely doubt that … fully understands the implications of what he claims to desire. Rather, it is my suspicion that … nasally excretions, recognized as speech by some unfortunate translator, has simply been equated by default to the worst possible opinion." "It is unsurprising that such a sentiment passed through … lips, however, for one must recognize that … simply lacks the mental faculties to participate in good-faith politics..."
Antiquated Words agitators_law_events.9
Several-year-old journal articles and statements by present government officials opposing … have been dredged up by newspapers sympathetic to …'s cause. These revelations have led to accusations of opportunism from both opponents and supporters of the law.
"We must now address the matter of past stances on this matter. No less than three years ago, one of the bill's co-sponsors published an editorial condemning this very proposal as a "hopeless waste of time", an "ill-conceived and irrelevant matter", and other harsh testimonials. Yet, in recent days, no doubt with assistance from significant sums of money, the allegedly honorable gentleman seems to have reversed his opinions entirely..."
Letters to the Condemned agitators_law_events.10
Following the arrest of a prominent opponent to …, … has begun a public letter-writing campaign to demonstrate support for them.
"I hope that you have been well..." "We are praying for your swift release..." "This injustice is one that has been mercilessly exposed..." All of these and more shuffled inside the mail bag, as the courier neared his destination.
The … Citizens' Assocation agitators_law_events.11
A social club popular with the educated class has held a salon in …, with … speaking in favor of … as an honored guest.
"That is, indubitably, the case. But have you considered what the reception of such a thing would be?" … nodded towards the speaker, then back around the wood-paneled room. … put down … cup. "I have spent some time thinking of it—we must, in all things, consider the thoughts of those who behold a thing for the first time. A first viewing is carried out with the eyes of an innocent, with mind open for new possibilities..."
Artistic Expressions agitators_law_events.12
A popular … newsletter has released a statement by …, endorsing several poets known for their sympathies to the …'s interests.
"The ideals of love and comradeship are present therein, but when one looks beyond the surface, one is faced with the precise conditions for such a thing. Those things which foster the highest ideals, and can be made manifest in one's daily life..."
Popular Outreach agitators_law_events.13
… has embarked upon a week-long tour of the countryside, to spread awareness of the need for … amongst the ….
"Happy is it, indeed, for me that my heart is capable of feeling the same simple and innocent pleasure as the peasant whose table is covered with food of his own rearing, and who not only enjoys his meal, but remembers with delight the happy days and sunny mornings when he planted it, the soft evenings when he watered it, and the pleasure he experienced in watching its daily growth." — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, The Sorrows of Young Werther
A Campaign of Banquets agitators_law_events.14
…'s attendence at a bourgeois fund-raising banquet in … has led to an uptick in funds promoting ….
As the organizer, at the end of the table, stood to give a toast to the clear wisdom of Reform, he could not help but think of how closely the sound of his fork on the glass represented a coin falling into a bank, or a spent cartridge hitting the ground.
Media Endorsements agitators_law_events.15
The Voice of …, a popular newspaper read by the … class across …, has published an article by … advocating for the enaction of ….
"Putting out a newspaper without promotion is like winking at a girl in the dark—well-intentioned, but ineffective." — William Randolph Hearst
Opposition in Print agitators_law_events.16
A narrowly-disguised polemic against … written by … has appeared in a popular opposition newspaper published across ….
"You had ought to see the morning paper, sir. It's..." "Yes?" "Well, there's a … article in it. On the third page." The functionary reached up, and put a hand on his temple. And with that, he knew that he was about to read something that may take years off of his life.
Planted Grassroots agitators_law_events.17
In a scandalous tip by a former newspaper publisher, it has been revealed to the government that a wave of recent anti-… articles have, in fact, all been written by … using different names and styles.
"We hold that no person or set of persons can properly establish a standard of expression for others." — William Randolph Hearst
Thinning the Opposition agitators_law_events.18
In a display of disunity amongst opponents of the government, … has openly published the names of certain rival opposition figures in one of … pamphlets. The reveal of these identities gives the police a welcome opportunity.
"Without a strong organization skilled in waging political struggle under all circumstances and at all times, there can be no question of that systematic plan of action, illumined by firm principles and steadfastly carried out, which alone is worthy of the name of tactics." — Vladimir Lenin
Family Matters agitators_law_events.19
In the process of his education at … …, …'s son has begun espousing sentiments that echo those encouraged by …'s supporters.
"Well, actually, the professor talked about the most fascinating thing in class today..." As he talked on and on, seemingly oblivious, …'s fist clenched tighter and tighter under the dinner table.
Original Discontent agitators_law_events.20
An associate of … has approached a major … newspaper, requesting an original poem subtly indicating opposition to the enaction of … be published in its pages.
"It's one of my father's, sir, from before he passed away. He was very committed, you see... "No, no. When he says that, he's not talking about now. He's referring to the last time such a thing was- was attempted, you see, it's about cyclical... patterns in history. Not the act."
The Legacy of the Enlightenment agitators_law_events.21
… has issued a particularly convincing public address in support of a …, disseminating egalitarian ideals and citations to anti-royalist literature in equal measure.
"If we want the Republic to be solid, we must first build its foundation. We need not look abroad for this foundation; we should seek it in the hearts of all the people of the nation." — Sun Yat-Sen
A Bout of Lèse-Majesté agitators_law_events.22
In … agitation against the institution of the monarchy, … has made numerous comments that have been construed as lèse-majesté. Supporters of the … have demanded … prosecution.
"And as far as the matter of the … goes..." The crowd held their breaths, sensing that something fantastic was coming. "I see no reason to pretend to respect somebody whose position is earned solely by having blood more inbred than the rest of us! Were heaven to send someone who was worthy of the title of ruler of …, it would certainly not be someone whose veins are filled with water!"
Democratic Republicanism agitators_law_events.23
The activities of … have led to a prominent alliance between republicans and those in favor of greater franchise. Those who support a more democratic …, rather than a Republic, are rapidly become marginalized.
"The Republic must be one assembled and sustained by the whole people, lest it be sickly from its birth to its soon and ignominious death."
A Soldier's Republic? agitators_law_events.24
Close associates of … have been spotted in the company of several reform-minded military officers, including …. These activities raise concerns of a forced coup against the ….
"Regardless of any reason that … may conjur, … presence in the company of that hateful individual is evident of certain hazardous inclinations. I have given you all that I could assemble on the matter. For the sake of the integrity of the Throne, I beseech you to assess this with all due haste."
The March of the Masses agitators_law_events.25
The agitation of … has led to a march in …, stating support for greater franchise and expanded political rights for the people.
The march carried on for more than a block, a procession of bright eyes and feverish hearts that seemed to fill the city with a peculiar energy. In front of the column, … stood, larger than life, conducting it with airs constructed of boundless hope.
The Enemies of the People agitators_law_events.26
During a speech to a reformist salon in …, … has issued a particularly fervent speech condemning the … as opponents of democracy, and the people as a whole.
"I must now address the character of certain individuals who have proven themselves wholly devoted to the repression of the whole people. They are cruel and indolent beings, their whole existences marinated in privilege, relics of a stagnant era whose minds revolt at the prospect of a nation where their power is challenged."
Controversial Friends agitators_law_events.27
The attendance of … at a radical pro-reform association's meeting in … has raised public awareness of the association, and made police action against it significantly harder.
The official looked at the document on his desk with some shock, looking at the name of the group which had proudly claimed to sponsor the last demonstration. That hateful and most certainly suppressed group, paired with the name of that bothersome … who had been responsible for so many difficulties over the past years. He frowned, and turned to his neighbor. "Did we not already make the warrant against these people public?"
Romance in the Censorship Office agitators_law_events.28
Under the guise of a particularly stuffy romance novel, … has managed to get a subtly anti-government text through the censorship board. The novel's subtext advocates for freedom of speech and rejection of what it deems "despotism".
"Isn't that always the way it is? If a person's inclined to look for something, he finds it wherever he looks. Even if there's no trace of it at all, he still finds clear evidence. Even if there's not even a shadow, still he sees not only a shadow of what he's looking for but everything he's looking for. He sees it in the most unmistakable terms, and these terms become clearer with each new glance and every new thought." — Nikolai Chernyshevsky, What Is To Be Done?
A Lack of Enforcement agitators_law_events.29
An anonymous figure within the police force has submitted a list of officers who allegedly sympathize with …'s cause. According to the letter, these officers have quietly refused to carry out censorship duties.
"...yes, him. Did you hear about what he said, after we passed him that novel?" The clerk followed the informant's pointed thumb, oriented towards an unaware man eating his lunch. "No. Enlighten me," he said, face neutral. "Well, it was something along the lines of "the Board is half dead already..."
A Game of Chicken agitators_law_events.30
A popular …-aligned newspaper has published an audacious article by …, calling for the abolition of censorship. The popularity of the newspaper amongst even supporters of the government makes banning it a risky affair.
As the supervisor entered the office, eyes bleary from a restless night's sleep, he rapidly came to be aware of the pained expressions on the faces of his staff. A look at the pinboard immediately explained their discomfort - spelled out in bold-face newsprint. "FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: A CASE FOR FREE EXPRESSION"
Dynamic text (names, places) shows as … · option effects beyond named modifiers are scripted · all event groups