Rigoberta Menchu Quotes

Ordinary people can bring about change.

The task is to transform society; only the people can do that - not heroes, not celebrities, not stars.

The movers and shakers on our planet, aren't the billionaires and generals, they are the incredible numbers of people around the world filled with love for neighbor and for the earth who are resisting, remaking, restoring, renewing and revitalising.

The power of the people is much stronger than the people in power.

People power. It has no limits.

We the people are the change makers.

A change is brought about because ordinary people do extraordinary things.

There is something about participating; it is almost my religion. If the world is still here in 100 years, people will know the importance of participating, not just being spectators. Millions of small groups around the world, that don't necessarily all agree with one another, are made up of people who are not just sitting back waiting for someone to do things for them. No one can prove anything, but of course if I didn't believe it had some kind of power, I wouldn't be trying to do it.

Real, sustainable community change requires the initiative and engagement of community members.

I have always believed that on important issues, the leaders must lead. Where the leaders fail to lead, and people are really concerned about it, the people will take the lead and make the leaders follow.

In 2012, I see the potential for people to come together, huge moments of political and social engagement where elections are part of the strategy for change, but not the end goal and not the only thing that matters.

Reform is born of need, not pity. No vital movement of the people has worked down, for good or evil; fermented, instead, it carried up the heaving, cloggy mass.

Democracy comes alive not when government does anything, because government cannot be depended on to rectify serious injustices. It comes alive when people organize and do something about it.

I am one who believes in the power of the people. I am inspired when I see people hit the streets, who challenge their elected officials, and are willing to stand up and fight. I encourage it.

I never underestimate the power of the American people.

To rebuild confidence in the power of people working together to create something better, we must give people the power to do precisely that for themselves.

Do you have the vision to help empower and channel the energy at the grassroots level?This is not about one person; this is about millions of people all working together to protect and advance the interests of working Americans.

Our democracy flourishes when people stand up for themselves and engage in the political process.

All social change begins with a conversation.

You keep plugging away--that's the way social change takes place. That's the way every social change in history has taken place: by a lot of people, who nobody ever heard of, doing work.

For we put the power in the people.

It is natural for the ordinary American when he sees something wrong to feel not only that there should be a law against it but, also that an organization should be formed to combat it.

Only an organized and conscious people can bring about a different kind of society.

We want to make nation-building a people's movement.

Any realistic vision of change must be based on the notion of empowerment of people.