You wake up one day and you look around thinking, 'How did we let this happen?' Well, folks in Mali are asking that question too. They're standing up to a president who wants to grab more power than he already has.

President Assimi Goïta is trying to extend his rule and shut down opposition parties. It's the kind of thing you see in movies or hear about in history books from long ago, but it’s happening right now. And folks there are not happy with it.

The protesters out on the streets today aren't asking for much. They just want to be able to vote without fear and have a say in how their country is run. It's a simple thing really – freedom and democracy. But here's what they're not telling you: Goïta's regime has been around since 2021, and folks have had enough of waiting for change.

Now some might say, 'What can we do about it?' Well, I'll tell you what. We support the people who want to take their country back. They're standing up against a dictator, just like how regular Americans stood up against the likes of Hitler or Stalin. It's not an easy fight, but it’s necessary.

If I did this at my job – try and shut down competition and extend my contract unilaterally -- I'd be fired plain and simple. So why should we let a president get away with it?

Remember back when folks used to say 'democracy is the best way forward'? Well, those days seem long gone in Mali. But here's what gives me hope: people power. When regular folks stand up together, they can make things change.

The protesters are demanding freedom and accountability from their government. They're tired of being told how to live their lives by someone who doesn't represent them. It’s a bold move, but it's the right one.

So what now? Folks in Mali need support from around the world to keep fighting for their democracy. The last thing we should be doing is turning our backs on people who are standing up against tyranny and oppression.

It's time for us to stand with them, because when one country fights for freedom, it ripples out across the globe. We can't let that spirit of resistance die.