At the end of the Broadway musical, Les Miserables, there is a chorus of one of the signature songs, “Do You Hear the People Sing?”

To be frank, Broadway tends to capitalize on the suspension of disbelief. Typically, we don’t have large groups of people singing in public. But as I watched the ending of this passionate drama, about tragedy and hope, love and justice, I had tears coming to my eyes as I heard the people sing.

From Bahrain to Yemen, Syria to Libya, Egypt to Madison, Wis., people are singing the song of angry men and women. It is the music of a people who will not bow down to tyranny, who will not give up their right to have a say in their government, or to advocate for themselves and their rights to earn a decent living.

I was thinking about these protesters around the world, as I heard the cast of the musical singing. I was thinking about how peaceful the events were in Egypt. I was thinking about our sisters and brothers in Libya and Bahrain and other places, who are being attacked and even killed for voicing their objection to the government.

I was thinking how lucky we are in the United States, to have the freedom to demonstrate opposition, to petition the government, and to speak our minds freely. But having these rights does not guarantee a just and free society. 

Our neighbors to the north in Wisconsin, and friends in other states—Michigan, Ohio and others—have been protesting their respective government’s attempts to redistribute more wealth and power to the already wealthy and powerful. These policies are selfish and greedy at best, if not outright sinful. 

As a Christian, I am guided in my faith by the stories and example of Jesus of Nazareth, a homeless, unemployed Jew who fought for the rights of his poor, hungry and marginalized sisters and brothers. Jesus taught that whatever we do for the least of our sisters and brothers, we do to him. This message of Jesus, of equality and liberation, is what got him killed; and why his ministry on earth during the time of the Roman Empire was so short. 

But it’s a message that the people are still singing. It’s the music of a people who yearn for justice and equality. You can hear it in the protests of thousands, but also in the still, small voices seeking more openness, more humanity and love. 

I know there may be some who see things differently from me. And I know Jesus’s radical message has been largely obscured for a long time, and still is for many Christians. But at the end of the day, Dr. King was right—the arc of history does bend toward justice. And when the people start to sing a song of love and justice, that arc bends a little easier.

Come sing with me.