Demonstrations are like morning gymnastics!?

Edmilson Panguana"

The secret to a long life lies in the morning jolt, as fitness experts used to say. Some prefer yoga, Pilates, or that intense run that punishes the knee on the cold, potholed asphalt first thing in the morning. Personally, I hold the conviction that, in the great gymnasium of life in society, demonstrations are the true morning gymnastic activities.

Observe the dynamics meticulously. Collective indignation is one of the most rigorous personal trainers in existence. Without needing alarms, it gets people off their mattresses. There, the pinnacle of civil physical exercise is reached, when the esteemed gas station attendants decide to decree their own training plan. The goal is noble: a rigorously choreographed demonstration from 8 am to 4 pm. The objective? To draw the Government's attention, demand an increase in fares due to the rising price of fuel and, of course, deep down, "help the people" (by increasing the price that the people themselves pay, a mathematical logic worthy of a brain knot).

Here lies the Olympic level of irony. In an unprecedented display of logistical solidarity, the delivery drivers spring into action, first with a warm-up exercise. From 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., they collect employees from the neighborhoods and, with the care of someone packing sardines in cans, take them to the service station. After all, the protest only starts at eight!

When the time for the static exercise arrives, the cars stop. Arms are crossed. Horns are honked to the rhythm of an improvised Pandza. It's the moment of sweat, of heated debate under the sun, and of the firm conviction that "today the boss upstairs will listen to us!" And, when the protest's working hours end, the drivers start their engines, engage first gear, and with touching kindness, take their passengers back home safe and sound.

In this respect, the protester is the only revolutionary in the world who stages the protest, but ensures that the employees of the system he is protesting against don't get marked absent from work. While the protest unfolds, in the upper echelons of the State, the Government practices its favorite modality: the contemplative yoga of absolute silence. The ministries continue to function. The bosses don't even notice that there was a protest, especially since their private drivers don't wear license plates.

The government doesn't issue a statement, doesn't make a pronouncement, doesn't lift a finger. It practices therapeutic immobility. It looks at the clock at 4 PM and yawns. Late in the afternoon, when their legs ache from standing next to the tires, the mechanics look at each other. The government hasn't missed anyone. The price of fuel remains the same. The rates haven't increased.

At that moment, the protesters realize, "Well... we were just exercising." Without drama, they wipe the sweat from their brows and resume operations as normally as possible. Tomorrow there's more road. The body appreciates the exercise, but the wallet still needs physiotherapy.

2025/12/3