Election Day 2020

 No matter what happens today, or tomorrow, or any day after, I will keep fighting. 

Because during these past months, I have found my tribe on the streets of Santa Rosa. I don’t know most of their names, but I feel connected. Most of them don’t know me at all, but I feel respected and cared for. When I am with them, I feel safe, even in the face of danger. Most of them are half my age or younger. They are young. They are angry. They are fed up with the mess we made of this world. They are determined. They are kind. They give a fuck. They keep us safe. WE KEEP US SAFE. They are out on the streets standing up against injustice, and caring for each other. They fight for those who are most vulnerable. They build pop-up food pantries, over and over again, even if they get torn down. They make street art. They play the drums. They are ready with a smile and a hug. They get tear gassed and they wash tear gas out of children's eyes. They put bandages on wounds caused by rubber bullets. They go to jail for social and racial justice. They wear masks and protect each other against COVID-19. They hand out masks and water and energy bars to anyone in need. They use their cars and their bodies to prevent yahoos from plowing into protesters. They secure busy intersections so we can take a knee for Breonna Taylor. SAY HER NAME. They wait for those who walk more slowly. They ride alongside me on their bike to make sure I get home safely at night. They sing happy birthday to Andy Lopez. They build altars and tie bright ribbons to their car antennas. They spend hours making phone calls and send texts to pass Measure P for better civilian oversight of local law enforcement. They speak eloquently at City Council and Board of Supervisor meetings. They march, they shout, they fight, they dance, they sing, they paint, they hug, they laugh, they cry, they write, they vote.

No matter what happens today, tomorrow, or any day after, our fight is far from over. But I can go on because of my tribe. They are the youth of Santa Rosa. They are our future. They give me hope.

WE KEEP US SAFE. NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE.