We will Protect Each Other

My heart is full. I've been organizing as part of the Apache Stronghold to protect Oak Flat and Apache religion since 2018 and organizing alongside undocumented-led organizations since 2009 to protect migrant dignity, to end detentions and deportations, and altogether resist the violence the state and this political-economic system enacts on so many marginalized communities. I've experienced too often the harm within organizing when organizations function just like the state and people get hurt. But I've also experienced the love and healing that comes when we organize to embody the world we are fighting for within our own movement family. Exactly 15 years ago last weekend, Sayra and Lupe were arrested through organizing to say "Not 1 More Deportation" and now we are celebrating Sayra's graduation and all the young children born into this movement to care and protect each other. And eight years ago, I connected into the Apache Stronghold family on a spiritual journey to fight ecological devastation and protect Oak Flat from destruction and now I have been blessed to help officiate the marriage of the next generation in our movement family fighting for our sacred unity. With these people we've organized a lot of campaigns and direct actions, but what was most deeply impactful was that we learned to love each other. And based on this love, we heal and we keep fighting for liberation for all.