Protest has always been a means for citizens to express their disagreements with their government's policies, a fact known throughout history without much contention.

However, recent times have seen protests facing significant scrutiny from governments worldwide, raising questions about the right to dissent against decisions impacting daily lives.

It's clear that beyond addressing issues like racism, there exists widespread discontent regarding the abuse of power entrenched in contemporary society. Mandatory lockdowns, inadequate healthcare access, substantial corporate bailouts, and widening economic disparities merely scratch the surface of these pressing con

How else can citizens voice their dissent against governments without risking their lives? How can dissidents effectively communicate their message to politicians?

In this article, we'll discuss: Why do dissidents protest government policies? Why using Bitcoin as a silent protest is the best strategy. Impact of Adopting Bitcoin. The Freedom Convoy

In 2022, the 'Freedom Convoy' protesters objected to mandatory vaccination for truck drivers at the Canada-United States border, resulting in blockades on Ottawa streets. The government deemed these protests illegal, leading to the utilization of the Emergencies Act.

The decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for truck drivers crossing the Canada-U.S. border sparked protests, with demonstrators emphasizing the importance of personal health choices and freedoms.

They argued that even fully vaccinated individuals could still contract and transmit the virus, highlighting the need to respect individual autonomy. Protesters expressed concerns about vaccine passports and mandates, viewing them as encroachments on personal liberties.

While some voiced opposition to perceived government overreach and corruption, others emphasized the movement's focus on freedom rather than solely being anti-vaccination. Overall, the protests sought to challenge the imposition of mandates and restrictions, advocating for the preservation of fundamental rights amidst the pandemic.

In February 2022, GoFundMe froze over $9 million in protest donations, prompting a shift to platforms like Tallycoin. The Honkhonk Hodl group raised over 22 Bitcoins valued at approximately $925,000, while Givesendgo raised over $8 million.

This ruling sets a precedent for the involvement of Bitcoin in political protests. Bitcoin played a role in funding the trucker demonstrations, with estimates suggesting millions of USD received in Bitcoin.

On January 23, 2024, the Federal Court of Canada declared the Trudeau government's utilization of the Emergencies Act to freeze funds and cryptocurrencies during the 'Freedom Convoy' protests in 2022 as unconstitutional.

Justice Richard Mosley determined that invoking the Emergencies Act was unwarranted due to the absence of a national emergency.

#EndSARS Protest in Nigeria

The #EndSARS movement emerged as a grassroots response to police brutality in Nigeria, particularly targeting the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Originating from a Twitter campaign in 2017, the movement gained momentum in October 2020, fueled by widespread outrage over SARS' abuses.

Led primarily by young Nigerians, protests demanded not only the disbandment of SARS but also accountability and good governance. Despite the Nigerian Police Force's initial dissolution announcement, scepticism persisted due to past unfulfilled promises.

Protesters faced violent repression, with some losing their lives. The movement garnered international support and criticized the government's response. SARS officers were accused of various abuses, including profiling, illegal detentions, extortion, and even murder.

The #EndSARS movement highlighted systemic issues and sparked a global conversation about police reform and human rights in Nigeria.

Donations began streaming in through various channels, yet the protestors encountered obstacles when banks froze their accounts, hindering access to the funds. Furthermore, authorities began apprehending some of the intended recipients of these donations.

Young people opted to utilize #Bitcoin for donations, a savvy move that facilitated easier contributions on a global scale. Furthermore, it presented challenges for banks in tracking and governments in confiscation efforts.

Why Using Bitcoin as a Silent Protest is the Best Move

Calls for a decentralized monetary system, where control over money is not centralized and vulnerable to a single point of failure, have persisted long before Bitcoin's inception. Renowned economists and figures have advocated for a currency beyond government control.

In 1984, Nobel Prize-winning economist Friedrich Hayek stated, "I don't think we'll ever have good money again unless we get it away from the government. We can't snatch it away violently, but we can find sneaky ways to introduce something they can't control."

In 1999, economist Milton Friedman discussed the potential of the Internet to reduce government influence. He believed a reliable e-cash system would emerge, allowing anonymous online fund transfers without one person knowing the other.

“It is enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.” - Henry Ford

Charles de Gaulle, one of France's former Presidents, addressed the nation in 1965, stating: “Many nations accepting the principle that dollars are equivalent to gold for settling disparities in the American trade balance leads Americans to accumulate debt effortlessly, at the expense of other nations. This reliance on the dollar's status as the sole reserve currency allows the US to repay its debts with the currency it can freely print. To prevent potential crises in this realm, it's imperative to return to a monetary system based on a universally recognized standard, such as gold. Gold's enduring nature, lack of national affiliation, and historical precedence make it the ideal foundation for international trade. Reestablishing the golden rule of balancing payments through the inflow and outflow of gold between monetary regions is crucial for fostering stable economic relations globally."

Bitcoin, as designed, operates as a digital currency detached from any government or traditional financial system. If adopted globally, it would diminish the government's ability to control money creation, fundamentally altering existing power dynamics.

Naval Ravikant, the founder of AngelList, once tweeted: "Bitcoin is a tool for freeing humanity from oligarchs and tyrants, dressed up as a get-rich-quick scheme."

Since Bitcoin's inception 15 years ago, more and more individuals have abandoned the traditional monetary system controlled by powerful entities. They are embracing a new monetary system not governed by a single authority but by numerous computers working together. Bitcoin was born as a movement by the people, for the people.

Using Bitcoin as a Form of Silent Protest

The Naira has experienced a staggering loss of approximately 68% of its value, marking a significant downturn since the implementation of the foreign exchange unification policy, as per data from Nairalytics.

In January 2024, the official foreign exchange rate soared to N1455.59/$, representing a notable depreciation from the previous rate of N464.67/$ in May 2023.

The situation in the parallel, or unofficial, market mirrors this distress, with a decline from N763/$ to N1470/$ within the same timeframe, indicating a concerning 48% devaluation. The FX rate is currently at N1200/$ at the time of writing.

This economic upheaval is further emphasized by the decline in Nigeria’s external reserves, which have dwindled from $35.09 billion to $33.35 billion over these months. Projections indicate a further drop to $24 billion in Nigeria’s foreign reserves this year.

I interviewed Heritage Falodun, the founder of DigiOats about the topic and he has this to say "... Some features of Bitcoin, including censorship resistance, a fixed supply, and its usability as a medium of exchange even in internet-restricted areas, present a counterintuitive response to authoritarian leadership by embracing decentralized governance akin to true democracy. Giving more practical illustrations of its role as a catalyst for social justice and a beacon of hope for the masses can be seen in Bitcoin's involvement in previous events like the Nigerian youth EndSars protest and the Canada Truck Drivers protest, to name a couple. Leveraging these principles, among numerous other exemplary attributes of Bitcoin, as criteria for my assessment, it is accurate to conclude that Bitcoin represents a silent protest against tyranny."

In recent years, some individuals in Nigeria, including myself, have turned to Bitcoin as a means of silently protesting against the government. By using Bitcoin as a medium of exchange, we can operate beyond the surveillance of the government and the traditional banking system. This allows us to maintain our privacy and avoid the risk of having our funds frozen or seized by the government.

One of the powerful aspects of Bitcoin is its decentralized nature. Unlike traditional currency, which is controlled by governments and financial institutions, Bitcoin operates on a peer-to-peer network that is not controlled by any single entity. This makes it difficult for governments to regulate or control the flow of Bitcoin. Impacts of Adopting Bitcoin on Nigeria's Economy In Nigeria, the government has attempted to ban the use of Bitcoin by passing laws that make it illegal to use digital currency for transactions. However, these laws have been difficult to enforce, as Bitcoin transactions are challenging to trace and can be conducted anonymously.

Adopting Bitcoin will help reduce the corruption that we face daily, and will also reduce our crime rate like it did with El Salvador making it the safest American country.

By using Bitcoin as a medium of exchange, we can operate outside the traditional banking system, thereby pressuring the government to reform its financial policies that steal the wealth of Nigerians, making us poor by the dawn of each day.

I believe we should start talking about solutions instead of dwelling too much on our problems, and Bitcoin is the solution to all our economic woes in Nigeria.

In conclusion, Bitcoin has emerged as a powerful tool for individuals seeking to protest against a tyrannical government, and it also has the potential to effect real change in societies where traditional political channels have failed.