Fascinating Video - Social Movements and Modern Protest

I saw this video tonight and had to share it with the community here.




The political message is not something I wanted to specifically focus on, for me this video raises more direct questions about society, herd mentality, modern protest and even national security.

Something which immediately struck me is how different this would be in America or the UK. There is absolutely no chance this would have gone on for so long in either country. If this had been done in London, they probably would have been arrested, and possibly within five minutes.
There is even a chance they would have met armed Police.

So, why is this? Why is our society so different and how can we still call ourselves democracies when we live under such incredible fear, and such oppression is brought about by that fear?

Or am I wrong?
We can be arrested, charged, or held without charge, based on a fear or suggestion of intent. How does freedom of political opinion survive in that climate?

No one has an opinion?
Nothing at all?

Where are all the intelligent thinkers on ATS?