Rise & Resist

A Personal Remembering and Reflecting: 

November 26

3:46 AM

 I know the wretched feeling of being terrified, a deep gutted feeling of everything I’ve ever learned, every sense in me screaming SOMETHING DEEPLY FUCKED IS HAPPENING!

It comes as no surprise how big the state feels when its declared its monopoly over violence.I am afraid of the way the revolution requires violence against sacred bodies at the hands of the state. I am afraid of the way violence draws attention because of the disproportionate way Black,Trans, and Indigenous people bear its weight. I speak from the perspective of a young light skinned Punjabi person. I speak from my home with the privilege of turning off the lights at night, with no bombs in my sight. I speak from a mostly able trans body. I speak from my experience in the belly of the beast once again. 

In DC, there are over 35 types of Police departments with jurisdiction to harass, arrest, violate, and terrorize. On November 15, I interacted with MPD and Capitol police. I have a blurred memory from this night from how fast the escalation occurred between us protesters and the cops protecting a building, from cops protecting war criminals. Few images however run very clear as I play them over and over again. I remember trembling in song, in hand with my comrades, terrified. Standing and watching the capital police suit up in their riot gear, in gas masks, with batons,,,,

I am instantly taken to a place of prayer, thinking of my grandfather and his experiences with state violence. In his many, many years of life he had still not lived to see Punjab free. May he rest in power. 

I want to remember this time differently, I want to remember courage, I want to remember solidarity. I want to remember that it is a part of my identity to resist. I want to remember that I will resist and I will fight, and others globally will resist and they will fight!

Resistance is keeping us alive. Resistance is keeping us Eternal. 

I will never know what its like to get murdered in Gaza, but I know how scared the state is of us remembering their killers. I will remember what it feels like to be in America with cops who learn and train from Isreali Occupation Forces. I will remember your life the same as I remember my Ancestors. I will remember with every step I carry, In hand with my comrades, your names. I will remember that we as all humans can show love to you through resistance and being ugly loud. 

I can’t help but to wonder, is my love reaching you? 

I bear witness, you don’t experience this in isolation , I don’t endure in isolation. The collective is here, arms open, taking care of our wounds. The Collective resistance is powerful and has deep roots with branches long enough to reach you. There is a space, a room, & a time for every person, in the revolution.