In democratic governments and free societies, the power belongs to the people. Individuals are allowed to enjoy their human rights to the fullest, especially the rights to expression and peaceful assembly.

They would often exercise these rights through peaceful protests.

In saner climes, indiscriminate shootings, including the use of firearm or lethal force to disperse the crowd is highly prohibited.

This is pursuant to International Human Rights Laws like Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 11 of the
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and most importantly, Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

I must commend your people for uniting to speak their minds in the most civil way.

I'd agree that "people there worried about their freedom and their future."

I also agree with your position that politics and power can be intoxicating as well.

Still, we have the people to tame them. But this is only realised in societies where human rights are respected and protected.