They can rise up on occasion; The Guardian news outlet frequently linked here on HN was founded following the Peterloo Massacre (1812).

That sacrifice didn't see fruit for two decades until the Reform Act 1832 opened the franchise to allow more the right to vote.

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peterloo_Massacre

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guardian

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reform_Act_1832