,I ,WAS A ,J#b ,/REET ,M$IC & ,DEF5DANT 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,CRIME?,9C4 

,TEXT 3 

,DUR+ ! 9AUGURATION ( ,DONALD ,TRUMP ON ,JANU>Y #b1 #b#a#g1 ,D,C POLICE >RE/$ OV] #b PEOPLE & 9DISCRIM9ATELY *>G$ ALL ( !M ) EI<T OR MORE FELONIES APIECE1 HOP+ TO SET A PREC$5T ?AT W\LD SUPPRESS /REET PROTE/ ONCE & = ALL4 ,TWO YE>S LAT]1 WE >E PUBLI%+ A S]IES ( REFLECTIONS ON ! EV5TS ( ?AT DAY & ! C\RT CASES ?AT FOLL[$ IT4 ,9 ?IS N>RATIVE1 A DEF5DANT :O P>TICIPAT$ 9 ! FIR/ ,J#b TRIAL BLOCK REC\NTS ! LEGAL /RATEGY BY :I* !Y DEFEAT$ ! /ATE & PASSES ON LESSONS TO ANYONE FAC+ A SIMIL> ORDEAL4 ,! AU?OR1 ,MIEL1 IS A /REET M$IC :O WAS >RE/$ 9 ! KETTLE ON ,JANU>Y #b1 P>TICIPAT$ 9 ! LEGAL SUPPORT ORGANIZ+ ?R\<\T ! ,J#b CASES1 & CONT9UES TO FI<T = A BETT] WORLD1 UNDAUNT$ BY ! 9TIMIDATION ( ! POLICE & C\RTS4 

  

,TWO YE> AGO TODAY WAS ONE ( ! MO/ SIGNIFICANT DAYS ( MY LIFE4 

,IT WAS ! FIR/ DAY ( A LONG & TRY+ BATTLE = MY FRE$OM1 

& ! FRE$OM ( OV] #b COMRADES 

:OSE FUTURES BECAME 9TRICATELY TI$ ) M9E 

! MOM5T WE /EPP$ 9TO ! /REETS ( ,WA%+TON ,D,C 

ON ?AT COLD ,JANU>Y MORN+4  

,:AT ,IT ,MEANS TO ,BE A ,/REET ,M$IC 

  

,/REET M$ICS PROVIDE FIR/ AID & EM]G5CY C>E AT SITES ( RESI/ANCE & /RUGGLE4 ,/RONG NETWORKS ( MUTUAL SUPPORT & C>E >E ESS5TIAL TO BUILD+ A SU/A9ABLE1 LONG-T]M MOVEM5T = COLLECTIVE LIB]ATION4 ,BE+ A M$IC IS AB\T BE+ C>EFUL ) EA* O!R SO WE CAN BE DANG]\S TOGE!R4 ,PROVID+ ?IS TYPE ( WELLNESS SUPPORT CAN BE AS MU* AB\T LONG-T]M C>E AS IT IS AB\T BE+ !RE 9 ! MOM5T4 ,IT IS AN ONGO+ PROCESS ( ASSESS+ NE$S1 (F]+ RES\RCES1 & UPLIFT+ ?OSE ) :OM WE 5GAG$ 9 /RUGGLE4 

,HEAL? C>E IS POLITICAL4 ,M$ICS >E ACTIVI/S :O SEEK TO DEMOCRATIZE HEAL? C>E KN[L$GE & SKILLS1 SUBV]T \R COMMUNITIES' DEP5D5CE ON CORPORATE M$IC9E1 & HELP CREATE ! 9FRA/RUCTURE WE SEE AS NECESS>Y TO BUILD ANO!R WORLD4 ,/REET M$ICS >E ,E,M,TS1 NURSES1 !RAPI/S1 H]BALI/S1 TEA*]S1 COMRADES1 & FRI5DS4  
  

,GIVE ,C>E1 ,TAKE ,C>E4 

,SPREAD ,CALM & ,DO ,NO ,H>M4  
  

,I BECAME A /REET M$IC 9 ,DECEMB] #b#a#f1 NOT LONG AFT] ,TRUMP WAS ELECT$ ,PRESID5T4 ,I WAS MOTIVAT$ TO DO ?IS AS A WAY ( BRIDG+ MY POLITICAL CONVICTIONS & MY P]SONAL CALL+ TO HELP PEOPLE RECOV] FROM TRAUMA4 ,E>LI] 9 #b#a#f1 ,I HAD ATT5D$ MASSAGE !RAPY S*OOL 9 ,FLORIDA & /UDI$ H]BAL M$IC9E ONL9E4 ,PRACTIC+ HEAL+ >TS AS A TRADE IS 9COMPLETE )\T AN ANALYSIS ( ! PRIVILEGES & OPPRESSIONS ?AT 9TIMATELY IMPACT A P]SON'S WELLNESS & EXP]I5CES ( TRAUMA4 ,I LEFT ,FLORIDA SEEK+ OPPORTUNITIES TO PLUG 9TO COMMUNITIES ( RESI/ANCE & (F] :AT ,I HAD LE>N$ 9 ACCESSIBLE WAYS1 :ILE CONT9U+ TO LE>N DIFF]5T APPROA*ES TO PROVID+ C>E4 

,I WAS WORK+ AS A ,LYFT DRIV] 9 ,COLORADO DUR+ ! ELECTION 9 ,NOVEMB]4 ,I REMEMB] VIVIDLY ! 9T]ACTIONS ,I HAD ) PEOPLE ,I GAVE RIDES TO ?AT DAY & ! PROGRESSION ( S5TIM5TS EXPRESS$ TO ME FROM HOPEFUL TO CONC]N$ TO %OCK$ & T]RIFI$4 ,EV]YONE ,I PICK$ UP WAS UPSET1 ANGRY1 SC>$1 FURI\S1 CONFUS$1 DISAPPO9T$1 & DESP]ATE = A WAY \T ( ?IS NI<TM>E4 ,UN=TUNATELY1 WE W]5'T DREAM+--?IS WAS REAL & ?IS WAS \R LIFE N[4 ,! QUE/ION WAS--:AT W\LD WE DO AB\T IT8 

,HUNDR$S ( US TOOK ! /REETS ( ,D5V] ?AT NI<T1 AS OCCURR$ 9 CITIES ALL >\ND ! C\NTRY2 WE CAME TOGE!R = SUPPORT & TO COLLECTIVELY EXPRESS \R RAGE & GRIEF AS WE CONFRONT$ ! REALITY ?AT ?IS WAS ! WORLD WE W]E LIV+ 94 ,! ELECTION WAS A SP>K1 A CALL TO ACTION1 AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT ) O!RS :O W]E ALREADY F$ UP ) ! OPPRESSIVE CONDITIONS IMPOS$ BY CAPITALISM & :O N[ HAD ONE MORE REASON TO /& UP & RESI/4 ,IT WAS REALLY ! ONLY ?+ WE C\LD DO4 

,L>GE-SCALE PLANN+ = ! 9AUGURATION WAS ALREADY UND]WAY4 ,A WEBSITE W5T UP & A CALL W5T \T 9VIT+ PEOPLE TO ,WA%+TON ,D,C TO DISRUPT ! 9AUGURATION ON ,JANU>Y #b1 #b#a#g--,J#b = %ORT4 ,COMRADES ACROSS ! C\NTRY W]E HOLD+ AUTONOM\S ASSEMBLIES1 ORGANIZ+ LOCALLY1 & PREP>+ = A DAY ( ACTION TO OPPOSE & DISRUPT ! SYMBOLIC TRANSF] ( P[] 9 ! ,:ITE ,H\SE & ! UNAPOLOGETIC EMBOLD5M5T ( :ITE NATIONALI/ ID5TITY4 

,I KNEW 9 MY HE>T ?AT ,I NE$$ TO GO4 ,!RE WAS NO?+ HOLD+ ME BACK4 ,I WAS AT A PO9T 9 MY LIFE :]E ,I DIDN'T HAVE ANY LONG-T]M COMMITM5TS1 ,I WASN'T TI$ D[N1 NOBODY WAS DEP5D+ ON ME1 & ,I F\ND MYSELF NOT FEEL+ CONC]N$ AB\T :AT ! CONSEQU5CES C\LD BE4 ,I JU/ KNEW IT WAS :]E ,I WANT$ TO BE4 ,I DECID$ ,I W\LD TRAVEL TO ,D,C NOT ONLY TO P>TICIPATE 9 DEMON/RATIONS1 BUT TO PROVIDE C>E = MY COMRADES 9 ! /REETS AS A M$IC4 

,PRIOR TO MY DEP>TURE FROM ,COLORADO1 A FRI5D & ,I FLEW TO ,PORTL&1 ,OREGON TO ATT5D A #b-H\R /REET M$IC TRA9+ ) ! ,ROSEHIP ,M$IC ,COLLECTIVE4 ,I WANT TO EXPRESS DEEP GRATITUDE TO ! ,ROSEHIPS = PUTT+ TOGE!R SEV]AL M$IC TRA9+S ?AT W9T] 9 PREP>ATION = ! 9AUGURATION4 ,?IS TRA9+ PROVID$ ME ) ! SKILLS ,I NE$$ TO FEEL CONFID5T AB\T PROVID+ M$ICAL C>E AT A MASS MOBILIZATION BIGG] ?AN ANY?+ ,I HAD EV] BE5 TO BE=E4 

,AT ! BEG9N+ ( ,JANU>Y #b#a#g1 ,I DROVE \T TO ! ,EA/ ,COA/ TO MEET UP ) FRI5DS :O W]E ALSO PLANN+ TO GO TO ,D,C4 ,I ASSEMBL$ A M$IC KIT & ATT5D$ DIRECT ACTION TRA9+S & PLANN+ MEET+S 9 ! DAYS LEAD+ UP TO ,JANU>Y #b4 ,:5 ,I >RIV$ 9 ,D,C1 ,I ATT5D$ A 0M$IC MIX]0 :]E ,I F\ND SOMEONE TO WORK ALONGSIDE AS MY M$IC BUDDY & A GR\P ( ?REE O!R M$ICS 9T]E/$ 9 ATT5D+ ! SAME PROTE/4 ,WE =M$ A TEAM & DISCUSS$ H[ BE/ WE W\LD TRACK & T5D TO ! NE$S ( SEV]AL HUNDR$ PEOPLE4 

,WE HAD A PRACTICE RUN ! NI<T BE=E ! 9AUGURATION DUR+ ! PROTE/S \TSIDE ! ,DEPLORABALL1 AT :I* WE HAD \R FIR/ OPPORTUNITY TO P]=M EYE FLU%ES ) ,L,A,W 7LIQUID ANTACID & WAT]7 TO TREAT ! EFFECTS ( PEPP] SPRAY4 ,WE DISCUSS$ WAYS TO KEEP EA* O!R SAFE 9 ! /REETS & FAMILI>IZ$ \RSELVES ) ! LAY\T ( ! CITY & ! METRO SY/EM4 ,WE PLANN$ TO MEET UP ! FOLL[+ MORN+ NE> ! PROTE/ R\TE4 

,I H>DLY SLEPT ?AT NI<T4 ,MY ADR5AL9E WAS PUMP+ AS ,I IMAG9$ :AT ! FOLL[+ DAY MI<T HOLD4 ,I KNEW ?IS DAY WAS GO+ TO BE BIG4 ,BUT AS ,I W\LD SOON F9D \T1 ,I TRULY HAD NO IDEA :AT WAS TO COME4 

,:AT ,I ,EXP]I5C$ ON ,JANU>Y #b 

  

,ON ,JANU>Y #b1 ,I MET UP ) MY M$IC TEAM & WE MADE \R WAY TO ,LOGAN ,CIRCLE1 ! />T+ PO9T ( ! ,ANTI-,CAPITALI/ ,ANTI-,FASCI/ M>*4 ,! 5]GY WAS P[]FUL AS WE AMASS$ AS A GR\P ( >\ND #e & TOOK ! /REETS ( D[NT[N ,D,C4  
  

,WE HAVE BE5 TOLD WE >E P[]LESS4  

 ,BUT WE HAD P[] 9 NUMB]S4  

 ,& DESPITE ?OSE :O SEEK TO SIL5CE US1  

 ,\R VOICES W\LD BE HE>D4  
  

,WE W]E BE+ FOLL[$ BY RIOT COPS FROM ! ONSET4 ,WE W\LD LAT] LE>N ?AT PLANN+ MEET+S = ?IS PROTE/ HAD BE5 9FILTRAT$ BY RI<T-W+ GR\PS WORK+ H&-9-H& ) ,D,C POLICE4 

,BUT WE W\LDN'T BE SIL5C$4 ,:ILE WE W]E 9 ! /REETS1 WE W]E A =CE TO BE RECKON$ )4 ,IT IS EXACTLY BECAUSE WE W]E P[]FUL ?AT WE MET ) SU* /RONG OPPOSITION4 ,!RE >E NOT MANY OPPORTUNITIES 9 DAY-TO-DAY LIFE TO EXPRESS ! DEEP-SEAT$ DISCONT5T WE FEEL AB\T ! CONDITIONS UND] :I* WE >E =C$ TO LIVE4 ,IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE ( SU* OPPORTUNITIES AS \TLETS = \R EMOTIONAL EXP]I5CES--:I* >E (T5 WIDELY %>$1 EV5 IF !Y FEEL UNIQUE TO US 9 ! ISOLAT+ WORLD WE LIVE 94 

,TAK+ ! /REETS ) \R COMRADES REM9DS US ?AT WE >E NOT ALONE4 ,?AT WE >E NOT CRAZY = FEEL+ ?IS WAY4 ,?AT WE >E NOT ! ONES :O >E SICK1 IT IS ! SY/EM ?AT IS BROK5 BEYOND REPAIR4 ,)\T !SE MOM5TS TO PROVIDE A RELEASE1 TO UPLIFT & 9SPIRE US & REM9D US :Y WE CONT9UE TO GET UP EV]Y MORN+ & KEEP /RUGGL+ TO SURVIVE1 WE >E LEFT ) NOT MU* MORE ?AN A BLEAK & DEPRESS+ REALITY DAY AFT] DAY AFT] DAY4 

,WE W]E CON/ANTLY ON ! MOVE2 !RE WASN'T MU* TIME TO PROVIDE M$ICAL C>E BE=E ! COPS SURR\ND$ & CONTA9$ US 9 ! KETTLE4 ,I DO REMEMB] /OPP+ TO FLU% PEPP] SPRAY FROM MANY EYES DUR+ ! HALF H\R BETWE5 ! TIME WE /EPP$ (F ! CURB AT ,LOGAN ,CIRCLE & \R EV5TUAL CAPTURE AT ! CORN] ( #a#b? @& ,L1 BUT IT WAS 9 ! KETTLE ?AT MO/ ( ! M$ICK+ HAPP5$4 ,OV] #b ( US SP5T UPW>DS ( EI<T H\RS TRAPP$ ON A /REET CORN] ) NO ACCESS TO WAT]1 FOOD1 BA?ROOMS1 OR ANY?+ ELSE BEYOND :AT WE COLLECTIVELY HAD ON \R P]SONS4 

,BE+ A /REET M$IC ?AT DAY TAU<T ME H[ TO %[ UP = O!RS4 ,I LE>N$ H[ TO MANAGE MY [N EMOTIONAL /ATE 9 A WAY ?AT 5ABL$ ME TO HOLD SPACE = & T5D TO ! NE$S ( ?OSE >\ND ME4 ,:ILE WE W]E 9 ! KETTLE1 ! RIOT COPS ATTACK$ ONLOOK]S :O HAD BE5 /&+ ACROSS ! /REET FROM US4 ,!Y *AS$ PEOPLE D[N ! /REET & DEPLOY$ PEPP] SPRAY & /+-BALL GR5ADES ?AT MADE L\D EXPLOSIONS--WE C\LD HE> !M BUT C\LD NOT SEE ! EFFECTS4 ,) ! S\ND ( A L\D 0BANG10 A P]SON /&+ BESIDE ME %RIEK$ & BEGAN HYP]V5TILAT+4 ,!Y W]E HAV+ A PANIC ATTACK4 ,I CONSCI\SLY HELD MY [N EMOTIONAL RESPONSE TO :AT WAS GO+ ON AT A DI/ANCE AS ,I (F]$ !M SUPPORT & C>E4 ,IT WAS EMP[]+ TO F9D MYSELF FEEL+ CAPABLE ( /AY+ PRES5T & HELP+ SPREAD CALM DESPITE ! SC5E ?AT WAS UNFOLD+ >\ND US4 

,AS ! COPS BEGAN >RE/+ PEOPLE1 ,I NOTIC$ ?AT !Y W]E GRABB+ PEOPLE CLOSE/ TO ! P]IMET]1 ZIP-TY+ !IR H&S BEH9D !IR BACKS1 & PUTT+ !M 9TO POLICE VANS4 ,I /AY$ T[>D ! C5T] ( ! GR\P TO AVOID BE+ TAK5 9 SO ,I C\LD CONT9UE TO C>E = PEOPLE ON ! \TSIDE1 KN[+ ?AT ONCE ,I WAS CUFF$ & ?R[N 9 ! POLICE VAN !RE W\LDN'T BE MU* MORE ,I C\LD DO4 ,AT ?IS PO9T1 WE HAD NO IDEA :AT WAS GO+ TO HAPP5 TO US OR :]E !Y W]E GO+ TO TAKE US ONCE WE W]E TAK5 94 

,MO/ ( MY TIME 9 ! KETTLE WAS SP5T CIRCULAT+ ?R\< ! GR\P1 *ECK+ 9 ) PEOPLE AB\T H[ !Y W]E DO+1 CONNECT+ ) PEOPLE ,I ALREADY KNEW & MAK+ NEW FRI5DS1 (F]+ SNACKS & WAT]1 FLU%+ EYES1 TREAT+ %RAPNEL W\NDS1 & ADVOCAT+ = PEOPLE :O NE$$ FUR!R M$ICAL C>E4 ,WE EV5 MADE S(T BLOCKADES = PEOPLE TO GO TO ! BA?ROOM & RESORT$ TO US+ BOTTLES & PLA/IC BAGS TO CONTA9 \R WA/E4 ,WE KEPT MORALE UP BY S++ WELL-KN[N SONGS LIKE ,BABY ,I'M AN ,AN>*I/ & ,BOHEMIAN ,RHAPSODY 7?\< ADMITT$LY1 Y'ALL1 WE C\LD REALLY USE SOME NEW SONGS7 & US+ ! HUMAN MICROPHONE TO %>E COMMUNIQUES 0FROM ! UNGOV]NABLES AT #a#b? & ,L03  
  

,FUCK ,TRUMP 

,FUCK ALL POLITICIANS 

,) A C\NTRY BUILT ON :ITE SUPREMACY & PATRI>*Y 

,NO POLITICIAN CAN S]VE ANY?+ ELSE 

,?AT GOES = HIS POLICE PAWNS1 TOO 

,WE MAY BE >RE/$ H]E TODAY 

,BUT WE WILL NOT BE SIL5C$ 

,WE CALL ON COMMUNITIES ?REAT5$ BY ,TRUMP TO DEF5D !MSELVES AGA9/ FASCI/S & RACI/S 

,WE WON'T BACK D[N & WE WILL ONLY GR[ /RONG] 

,IF Y\'RE HE>+ ?IS1 WE CALL ON Y\ TO BECOME UNGOV]NABLE 

,& BUILD A NEW WORLD 9 ! A%ES ( ! OLD  
  

----  
  

,WELL1 WE'RE GO+ TO JAIL 

,BUT WE >5'T GO+ SIL5TLY 

,AS WE'RE SEE+ TODAY1 ,TRUMP 9DICATES A NEW LEVEL ( REPRESSION 

,BUT ! TIDE ( REPRESSION HAS BE5 RIS+ = SOME TIME 

#b MILLION 9 PRISON1 A NEW ,JIM ,CR[ 

,SURVEILLANCE ON Y\R EMAIL1 SURVEILLANCE ON Y\R PHONE1 SURVEILLANCE 9 Y\R HOME 

,ALL GOV]NM5TS IMPRISON & POLICE 

,COPS LOVE ,TRUMP1 BUT TO GET RID ( BO?1 WE HAVE TO GET RID ( ! GOV]NM5T 

,FROM ! ?REAT ( :ITE SUPREMACI/S TO ! ?REAT ( POLICE 

,\R SAFETY LIES 9 BUILD+ BONDS ) EA* O!R1 \TSIDE ( /ATE CONTROL 

,= FRE$OM1 = AN>*Y6  
  

,! ACTION CONT9U$ >\ND ,D,C :ILE WE W]E 9 ! KETTLE4 ,WE WAT*$ AS SMOKE ROSE ABOVE BUILD+S 9 ! DI/ANCE & LE>N$ ?AT A LIMO HAD BE5 SET ON FIRE A FEW BLOCKS AWAY4 ,*ECKPO9TS >\ND ! CITY W]E BE+ BLOCKAD$ & %UT D[N1 ! ,FE/IVAL ( ,RESI/ANCE WAS 9 FULL SW+1 & MORE & MORE PEOPLE W]E ASSEMBL+ ACROSS ! /REET FROM ! KETTLE (F]+ SOLID>ITY & 5C\RAGEM5T AS WE AWAIT$ \R >RE/4 ,! FI]CE RESI/ANCE ?AT CONT9U$ ELSE:]E ON ! /REETS WAS A SWEET REM9D] ?AT :ILE SOME ( US HAD BE5 /OPP$1 ! COLLECTIVE 0WE0 W\LD NOT BE5 DEFEAT$4 

,:5 ,I WAS F9ALLY TAK5 9 >\ND #f PM1 ! COPS ZIP-TI$ MY WRI/S TOGE!R BEH9D MY BACK1 REMOV$ MY %OELACES1 & TOOK ALL ( MY BELONG+S FROM ME4 ,I SP5T F\R H\RS 9 A POLICE VAN PACK$ ) SEV5 O!RS4 ,WE SANG SONGS & PLAY$ GAMES TO PASS ! TIME4 ,EV]Y ONE ( US WAS SEV]ELY DEHYDRAT$ AT ?IS PO9T2 AFT] MU* PLEAD+1 WE W]E F9ALLY GIV5 SOME WAT] TO DR9K4 ,! COPS TOLD US TO TILT \R HEADS AS !Y P\R$ SMALL QUANTITIES ( WAT] 9TO \R M\?S US+ T9Y PAP] CUPS AS Y\ MI<T F9D AT A D5TI/'S (FICE4 ,!Y BECAME VISIBLY IRRITAT$ :5 WE ASK$ = MORE ?AN A FEW CUPS-FULL4 ,WE W]E TRANSPORT$ TO A PREC9CT :]E \R F+]PR9TS W]E TAK5 & WE W]E F9ALLY ALL[$ TO USE A TOILET1 \R H&S NO LONG] B\ND4 

,!Y PUT US ON A %ORT BUS TO AWAIT YET ANO!R RELOCATION TO AN OV]NI<T HOLD+ CELL4 ,I CONT9U$ TO PLAY ! M$IC ROLE1 ADVOCAT+ = SOMEONE ON ! BUS :O NE$$ M$ICATION ?AT ! POLICE W]E )HOLD+4 ,I REM9D$ EV]YONE NOT TO TALK TO ! COPS UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESS>Y & GAVE H& & WRI/ MASSAGES TO HELP EASE ! PA9 CAUS$ BY ZIP-TIES1 SOME ( :I* W]E SO TI<T ?AT !Y CAUS$ LONG-T]M N]VE DAMAGE4 ,AFT] WE CONT9U$ TO DEM& WAT]1 !Y GAVE US A R$ SUG>Y DR9K1 DEF9ITELY NOT WAT]1 & TOLD US WE %\LD BE GRATEFUL = IT4 ,WE SP5T :AT WAS LEFT ( ! NI<T CUDDL$ TOGE!R = W>M? & COM=T ON A COLD H>D FLOOR UND] BRI<T FLUORESC5T LI<TS ) ONLY \R PEPP]-SPRAY-COAT$ CLO?+ TO SLEEP ON4 

,WE SP5T MO/ ( ! FOLL[+ DAY 9 AN EV5 SMALL] CELL AT ! C\R?\SE4 ,!RE WAS A S9K 9 \R CELL2 IT WAS ABOVE A TOILET & ! /REAM SL[LY DRIBBL$ \T4 ,WE W\LD HAVE HAD TO PUT \R M\?S ON ! METAL S9K 9 ORD] TO DR9K FROM IT4 ,WE PASS$4 ,A FEW H\RS BE=E WE W]E RELEAS$1 WE W]E F9ALLY GIV5 SOME FOOD1 IF Y\ C\LD CALL IT ?AT4 ,BOLOGNA & PEPP] SPRAY S&WI*ES1 WA%$ D[N ) ABSOLUTELY NO?+4 ,YUM4 ,I GAVE MY RATIONS TO MY CELLMATES & ATE TWO MU/>D PACKETS BE=E PASS+ \T FROM EXHAU/ION4 

,:5 WE W]E CALL$ TO APPE> 9 FRONT ( ! JUDGE1 !Y PUT REAL H&CUFFS ON US & ATTA*$ !M TO ANKLE CUFFS ) A *A94 ,WE W]E REF]R$ TO AS 0BODIES0 & ASSIGN$ NUMB]S :I* !N BECAME :AT WE W]E CALL$ BY4 ,! DEHUMANIZ+ ELEM5T WAS H>D TO IGNORE4 ,WE /OOD 9 FRONT ( ,JUDGE ,LEIBOVITZ AS %E *>G$ EA* ( US ) ONE C\NT ( FELONY RIOT+4 ,WE W]E ASSIGN$ C\NSEL & RELEAS$ ON \R [N RECOGNIZANCE3 WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PO/ BAIL BUT W]E REQUIR$ TO RETURN = C\RT4 

,WE W]E WELCOM$ BACK 9TO ! WORLD BY A HUGE CR[D ( PEOPLE *E]+ = US4 ,A FRI5D RAN UP TO ME EXCLAIM+1 0,Y\ HAVE TO SEE ?IS60 & %[$ ME ! VIRAL VIDEO ( SOMEONE 9 BLACK BLOC PUN*+ :ITE NATIONALI/ ,RI*>D ,SP5C] 9 ! FACE4 ,?AT WAS EXACTLY :AT ,I NE$$ 9 ?AT MOM5T4 ,!RE W]E FOOD & DR9KS WAIT+ = US & SO MANY HUGS4 ,WE W]E GIV5 RIDES TO ! PREC9CT :]E \R PROP]TY WAS BE+ HELD4 ,WE SP5T ! NEXT SEV]AL H\RS TRY+ TO GET \R PROP]TY BACK & DOCUM5T+ :AT HAD BE5 TAK5 AS EVID5CE4 ,SOME M$ICS :O HAD NOT BE5 >RE/$ W]E !RE TO HELP2 !Y ASSI/$ ME 9 DOCUM5T+ ALL ! ITEMS ?AT ! POLICE HAD /OL54 ,WE SOON LE>N$ ?AT ANYONE :O WAS >RE/$ ) A PHONE ?AT DAY DID NOT RECEIVE IT BACK4 

,I WAS EV5TUALLY GIV5 A RIDE TO MY H\S+ & SP5T ! RE/ ( ! NI<T WAT*+ VIDEOS FROM ?AT DAY & CAT*+ UP ON EV]Y?+ ?AT HAD HAPP5$ 9 ,D,C :ILE ,I WAS DETA9$4 ,I DROVE D[N TO ,NOR? ,C>OL9A ! FOLL[+ DAY4 ,SOME FRI5DS1 :O W]E N[ ALSO CO-DEF5DANTS1 W]E HOLD+ A DEBRIEF D9N] & 9VIT$ ME TO ATT5D4 ,I W\LD SP5D ! NEXT SEV]AL MON?S LIV+ !RE1 9 A H\SE ) ?REE CO-DEF5DANTS & SOME V]Y SUPPORTIVE FRI5DS1 WORK+ >\ND ! CLOCK ON ! ,J#b CASE4 

,9 ,APRIL1 A SUP]S$+ 9DICTM5T 9CREAS$ \R *>GES TO A TOTAL ( EI<T FELONY *>GES EA*1 9CLUD+ CONSPIRACY TO RIOT1 5GAG+ 9 & 9CIT+ A RIOT1 & FIVE C\NTS ( PROP]TY DAMAGE4 ,SOME PEOPLE W]E GIV5 ADDITIONAL *>GES SU* AS ASSAULT ON AN (FIC] & 9DIVIDUALIZ$ C\NTS ( PROP]TY DAMAGE4 ,& JU/ LIKE ?AT1 WE W]E EA* LOOK+ AT UP TO SEV5TY-FIVE YE>S 9 PRISON IF CONVICT$ ON ALL *>GES4 ,?IS WAS A BLATANT ATTEMPT TO CRIM9ALIZE DISS5T US+ PROSECUTORIAL OV]REA*4 ,OBVI\SLY1 #b PEOPLE DID NOT BREAK ! SAME FIVE W9D[S4 ,! IDEA WAS TO USE AN 0AID+ & ABETT+0 !ORY ( LIABILITY TO PROSECUTE EV]YONE :O WAS PRES5T 9 ! /REETS ?AT DAY = A FEW 9/ANCES ( DAMAG$ PROP]TY4 ,!Y HOP$ TO SC>E US 9TO TAK+ PLEAS1 9TIMIDATE US & O!RS 9TO 9ACTION1 & USE US AS AN EXAMPLE ( :AT C\LD HAPP5 IF Y\ /& UP TO ?OSE 9 P[]4 

,ORGANIZ+ ,J#b ,LEGAL ,SUPPORT & ,SOLID>ITY 

  

,ORGANIZ+ A COLLECTIVE DEF5SE = ,J#b TOOK A LOT ( H>D WORK FROM A LOT ( D$ICAT$ PEOPLE1 DEF5DANTS & SUPPORT]S ALIKE4 ,= MANY ( US1 IT BECAME A FULL-TIME JOB4 ,IT WAS NO SMALL UND]TAK+ TO COORD9ATE OV] #b PEOPLE ACROSS ! C\NTRY4 ,A LI/S]V & WEEKLY CONF]5CE CALLS W]E \R BE/ MEANS ( KEEP+ EV]YONE 9 ! LOOP3 %>+ UPDATES & MOTIONS1 COMMUNICAT+ AB\T LEGAL MATT]S1 MAK+ SURE EV]YONE HAD H\S+ & TRANSPORTATION TO & FROM ,D,C = C\RT APPE>ANCES1 COORD9AT+ 9-P]SON DEF5DANT MEET+S AFT] HE>+S1 ASK+ QUE/IONS1 (F]+ RES\RCES1 & *ECK+ 9 ) PEOPLE AB\T :E!R !IR LAWY]S W]E BE+ RESPONSIVE4 ,IT WAS UP TO EA* DEF5DANT :E!R TO 5GAGE ) ! 9FRA/RUCTURE WE E/ABLI%$1 & WE DID \R BE/ TO REA* \T TO ?OSE WE HADN'T HE>D FROM4 

,E>LY ON 9 ! ORGANIZ+ PROCESS1 WE E/ABLI%$ REGIONAL NETWORKS TO HELP DEF5DANTS F9D EA* O!R & BUILD SUPPORT LOCALLY4 ,!RE W]E REGIONAL ,J#b GR\PS 9 MO/ MAJOR CITIES ALONG ! ,EA/ ,COA/ 9CLUD+ ,D,C1 ,BALTIMORE1 ,RI*MOND1 ,PHILADELPHIA1 ,PITTSBUR<1 & ,NEW ,YORK ,CITY1 & !N !RE WAS A GR\P = ,NOR? ,C>OL9A AT L>GE4 ,HAV+ HAD NO HOME BASE PRIOR TO ,J#b1 ,I WAS =TUNATE TO L& 9 A PLACE ) MANY O!R DEF5DANTS NE>BY4 ,WE GOT TOGE!R TO P>TICIPATE 9 ! SPOKES CALLS1 TRAVEL$ ACROSS ! /ATE TO VISIT EA* O!R1 HELD 9-P]SON SUPPORT GR\P MEET+S1 COORD9AT$ RIDES TO & FROM ,D,C1 %>$ D9N]S1 ?REW B5EFIT %[S1 MADE FUNDRAIS] ,T-%IRTS1 TABL$ AT EV5TS1 & EV5 ORGANIZ$ A BLACK MASQU]ADE P>TY 70,BLACK ,MASK] ,AID07 TO RAISE MONEY = \R REGIONAL FUND & SP5D QUALITY TIME TOGE!R4 ,! ,NOR? ,C>OL9A ,J#b DEF5DANTS BECAME FAMILY TO ME4 ,!Y W]E MY CORE SUPPORT SY/EM DUR+ ?AT TIME4 ,WE CONT9UE TO /AY 9 T\* TO ?IS DAY4 ,I HOLD EA* ( !M DE> TO MY HE>T4 

,SPOKES CALLS W]E H>D4 ,!Y W]E T$I\S4 ,I DON'T ?9K ANYONE LIK$ !M4 ,BUT !Y W]E IMPORTANT4 ,EV]Y ,SUNDAY AT #g PM1 ,I W\LD LOG 9TO JO94ME TO P>TICIPATE 9 H\RS-LONG CONF]5CE CALLS ) DEF5DANTS & SUPPORT]S FROM EA* REGION1 DISCUSS+ EV]Y?+ FROM LEGAL /RATEGY TO F9ANCES TO ! MO/ REC5T M$IA >TICLES ?AT HAD COME \T AB\T ! CASE4 ,S9CE EV]Y DEF5DANT C\LDN'T POSSIBLY BE ON EA* CALL1 WE W\LD COMPILE ! MO/ IMPORTANT NOTES & GIVE REPORT-BACKS TO \R RESPECTIVE REGIONS 9 AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP EV]YONE UP TO DATE4 ,! CREATION ( WEEKLY NEWS BULLET9S SUMM>IZ+ NOTABLE DEVELOPM5TS 9 ! CASE HELP$ /REAML9E \R COMMUNICATION1 & ! DEVELOPM5T ( WORK+ GR\PS HELP$ TO %ORT5 ! WEEKLY SPOKES CALLS BY ADD+ SEV]AL MORE MEET+S TO ! S*$ULE--= BETT] OR = WORSE4 ,WE E/ABLI%$ SEV]AL GR\PS3 ! 0,P,R0 M$IA TEAM1 ! LEGAL /RATEGY WORK+ GR\P1 ! POLITICAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE1 F9ANCES & FUNDRAIS+1 A M$IC WORK+ GR\P1 & WELLNESS SUPPORT4 

,ONCE ! C\RT SY/EM ANN\NC$ ! GR\PS ?AT W\LD FACE TRIAL TOGE!R1 !RE W]E CALLS TO DISCUSS TRIAL /RATEGY & LOGI/ICS SPECIFIC TO EA* GR\P & CALLS TO COORD9ATE BETWE5 TRIAL GR\PS4 ,NOT EV]YONE WAS 9CL9$ TO P>TICIPATE 9 CONF]5CE CALLS1 SO WE CREAT$ C\NTLESS SIGNAL ?READS & RISEUP PADS TO PROVIDE EV5 MORE AV5UES = /AY+ CONNECT$4 ,NOBODY WAS OBLIGAT$ TO P>TICIPATE1 BUT ?OSE ( US MO/ 9CL9$ TO 5GAGE ) ORGANIZ+ EF=TS SOMETIMES F\ND \RSELVES ON ?REE OR MORE CALLS EA* WEEK 9 ADDITION TO ! CALLS ALL ( US W]E MAK+ TO \R LAWY]S ON A REGUL> BASIS4 

,LIKE ,I SAID1 ,J#b WAS MY FULL-TIME JOB4 

,FACE-TO-FACE MEET+S AFT] EA* HE>+ 9 ,D,C W]E CRUCIAL = CONNECT+ ) CO-DEF5DANTS :O W]E MORE OR LESS ABS5T FROM ! L>G] ORGANIZ+ EF=TS & = DEEP5+ \R CONNECTIONS ) ?OSE WE HAD BE5 WORK+ ) ONL9E4 ,WE HELD MEET+S AT A CO-WORK+ SPACE NE> ! C\R?\SE TO DECOMPRESS & DISCUSS ! CASE 9 P]SON4 ,= MANY DEF5DANTS1 ?IS WAS ! ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS :AT WAS GO+ ON4 

,SOME ( \R MO/ MEMORABLE MEET+S TOOK PLACE >\ND ! HE>+S = TRIAL DATE SELECTION 9 ,JUNE4 ,NE>LY EV]Y DEF5DANT HAD APPE>ANCES S*$UL$ ?AT WEEK1 & WE TOOK ADVANTAGE ( ?IS TO FACILITATE SEV]AL HUGE COLLECTIVE DEF5SE MEET+S--FOLL[$ BY KICKBALL GAMES & SUPPORT GR\PS 9 ,MALCOLM ,X ,P>K1 \T+S TO ,NU ,VEGAN1 & ADV5TURES 9 ,ROCK ,CREEK ,P>K4 ,SP5D+ SO MU* TIME 9 ,D,C WAS EMOTIONALLY DRA9+1 SO WE DID :ATEV] WE C\LD TO BOO/ MORALE & HELP EA* O!R TAKE MU*-NE$$ SPACE FROM ! T5SE 5VIRONM5T ( ,SUP]IOR ,C\RT4 

,!RE W]E AT LEA/ SIX M$ICS >RE/$ 9 ! KETTLE ON ,J#b4 ,WE CAME TOGE!R TO /RATEGIZE AB\T US+ ! M$IC ROLE AS P>T ( \R LEGAL DEF5SE 9 MON?S ?AT FOLL[$ \R >RE/4 ,WE =M$ A WORK+ GR\P ?AT 9CLUD$ M$ICS FROM ACROSS ! C\NTRY WANT+ TO HELP SUPPORT US 9 ! CASE4 ,WE CAME UP ) AGREEM5TS AB\T H[ WE W\LD PRES5T \R LEGAL DEF5SES 9 SOLID>ITY ) ALL ( \R CO-DEF5DANTS & 9 L9E ) OV]>*+ /REET M$IC PR9CIPLES4 ,WE REPRES5T$ AN ONGO+ /RUGGLE = /REET M$ICS TO BE RECOGNIZ$--& NOT T>GET$--= PROVID+ C>E :]E C>E IS NE$$4 ,MOTIVAT$ TO USE ! /R5G? ( \R M$IC DEF5SE TO HELP 9 ! L>G] COLLECTIVE DEF5SE1 A FEW ( ( US DECID$ TO GO TO TRIAL 9 ,NOVEMB] AS P>T ( ! FIR/ TRIAL BLOCK4 

,! ,J#b ,LEGAL ,DEF5SE ,/RATEGY 

  

,PRIOR TO TRIAL DATE SELECTIONS1 ! GOV]NM5T HAD COME \T ) A PROPOS$ SET ( GR\P+S1 PLAC+ EA* DEF5DANT 9 ONE ( F\R CATEGORIES BAS$ ON ALLEG$ CONDUCT & SUPPOS$ AFF9ITY GR\P AFFILIATIONS4 ,! GOV]NM5T WAS 9T5T ON TAK+ ?OSE DESIGNAT$ AS ,GR\P #a TO TRIAL FIR/1 ?OSE 9 ,GR\P #b NEXT1 & SO ON4 ,! MAJORITY ( DEF5DANTS W]E LUMP$ 9TO GR\PS #c & #d1 SEEM+LY )\T RHYME OR REASON4 ,REG>DLESS ( !IR MOTIVES = *OOS+ !SE GR\P+S & ?IS ORD] ( OP]ATIONS1 WE W]E AW>E ?AT ! ONES ?AT ! GOV]NM5T WAS SEEK+ TO PROSECUTE FIR/ W]E SOME ( \R MO/ VULN]ABLE COMRADES4 

,9 ORD] TO UND]M9E !IR PLAN1 WE DEVIS$ AN E>LY TRIAL /RATEGY4 ,?IS /RATEGY 9VOLV$ DEF5DANTS 9 ,GR\PS #a & #b ASK+ !IR LAWY]S TO PU% = !IR TRIALS TO OCCUR LAT] ?AN ! GOV]NM5T WANT$1 !REBY 5ABL+ 9DIVIDUALS FROM ,GR\PS #c & #d :O FELT !Y HAD /RONG CASES & GOOD LAWY]S TO ELECT TO GO FIR/4 ,NO ONE WAS PRESSUR$ TO MAKE ?IS *OICE4 ,WE HELD NUM]\S CONF]5CE CALLS DISCUSS+ ?IS /RATEGY & CONSID]+ ! IMPLICATIONS4 ,?IS SEEM$ LIKE ONE ( ! BE/ WAYS WE C\LD HELP PROTECT EA* O!R :ILE ALSO TURN+ UP ! HEAT ON ! PROSECUTION4 ,IF ! GOV]NM5T AIM$ TO /R5G!N ITS CASE AGA9/ EV]YONE BY TAK+ C]TA9 PEOPLE TO TRIAL FIR/ 9 HOPES ( SCOR+ EASY CONVICTIONS1 \R /RATEGY WAS 9T5D$ TO DISRUPT !IR AG5DA4 

,WE W]E SUCCESSFUL 9 SECUR+ ! FIR/ P>T ( ! /RATEGY3 9 ! FIR/ R\ND ( TRIAL SELECTION1 ,GR\PS #a & #b W]E GRANT$ TRIALS 9 ,M>* & ,APRIL #bah DESPITE ! GOV]NM5T'S WI% TO TRY !M AT ! 5D ( #b#a#g4 ,NEXT CAME ! H>D P>T3 FIGUR+ \T :O W\LD TAKE ONE = ! TEAM & GO TO BAT FIR/4 ,! SE$ HAD BE5 PLANT$1 EV]YONE KNEW AB\T ! E>LY TRIAL /RATEGY1 & ALL WE C\LD DO WAS WAIT TO SEE :O W\LD /EP UP TO ! PLATE = COLLECTIVE DEF5SE4 

,I HAVE VIVID MEMORIES ( ! DAY ,I *OSE MY TRIAL DATE4 ,I WAS SITT+ 9 ! C\RTROOM FILL$ ) DOZ5S ( CO-DEF5DANTS & !IR C\NSEL1 MY LAWY]S ON EI!R SIDE ( ME1 CONTEMPLAT+ :AT TO DO4 ,WE HAD SEV]AL OPTIONS ( TRIAL BLOCKS TO *OOSE FROM1 9CLUD+ ! V]Y FIR/ TRIAL SET = ,NOVEMB]1 ! SECOND ONE 9 ,DECEMB]1 & SEV]AL O!RS ?AT W]E ALMO/ A YE> AWAY4 ,JUDGE ,LEIBOVITZ WAS GO+ >\ND ! ROOM ASK+ C\NSEL TO *OOSE :AT TRIAL DATES !IR CLI5TS WANT$4 ,I QUIETLY RAIS$ ! POSSIBILITY ) MY LAWY]S ?AT ,I C\LD BE P>T ( ! FIR/ TRIAL4 ,MY LAWY]S W]E APPREH5SIVE4 ,!Y W]E !RE TO DEF5D ME1 NOT TO LOOK \T = MY CO-DEF5DANTS2 !Y W\LD HAVE PREF]R$ TO WAT* ! FIR/ TRIAL PROCE$+S1 ALL[+ O!RS TO TAKE ?AT RISK SO ,I DIDN'T HAVE TO4 ,BUT !Y W]E WORK+ = ME1 & IT WAS ULTIMATELY UP TO ME TO DECIDE :AT ,I WANT$ TO DO4 

,MY DECISION TO BE ON ! FIR/ TRIAL FELT 9/9CTUAL4 ,I WAS !RE AS A M$IC4 ,I WASN'T BE+ ACCUS$ ( ANY P>TICUL> ACTS BEYOND :AT EV]YONE ELSE WAS FAC+--& ! C\RT HAD R&OMLY APPO9T$ A V]Y SOLID LEGAL TEAM TO REPRES5T ME4 ,?IS WAS A HI<-PR(ILE CASE & ONE ( ! BIGGE/ LAW FIRMS 9 ! C\NTRY *OSE TO TAKE ON A CLI5T PRO-BONO4 ,IT WAS BY PURE *ANCE ?AT ,I 5D$ UP ) !M4 ,SOME DEF5DANTS HAD BE5 ASSIGN$ RUN-(-!-MILL ,C,J,A 7,CRIM9AL ,JU/ICE ,ACT7 LAWY]S1 :O (T5 REPRES5T$ DOZ5S ( O!R CLI5TS SIMULTANE\SLY2 SOME ( !M W]E L>GELY UNRESPONSIVE TO CALLS & EMAILS4 ,H]E ,I WAS ) A FULL TEAM ( NOT JU/ ONE BUT F\R LAWY]S & AT LEA/ ?REE P>ALEGALS WORK+ >\ND ! CLOCK ON MY CASE4 ,IT ALMO/ FELT IRRESPONSIBLE NOT TO GO FIR/4 

,PLUS1 SOME ( MY CLOSE/ FRI5DS W]E 9 ,GR\PS #a & #b4 ,IF !RE WAS ANY?+ 9 MY P[] ,I C\LD DO TO HELP !M1 ,I WAS GO+ TO DO IT4 

,!RE WASN'T A D\BT 9 MY M9D ?AT ,I WAS MAK+ ! RI<T DECISION4 ,I KNEW ?AT IF ,I HAD MADE ANY O!R DECISION1 ,I W\LD HAVE WALK$ \T ( ?AT C\RTROOM REGRETT+ IT4 ,MY LAWY]S W]E NOT EXCIT$ AB\T ?IS1 BUT !Y RESPECT$ MY WI%ES4 ,WE SELECT$ ! ,NOVEMB] #b TRIAL DATE1 :I* WAS LAT] MOV$ TO ,NOVEMB] #a#e1 OR ,N#a#e4 ,SEV5 O!R DEF5DANTS MADE ! SAME *OICE4 ,AFT] C\RT1 WE ALL MET TO />T DISCUSS+ H[ TO PREP>E = ! TRIAL4 ,!SE SEV5 PEOPLE BECAME MY SECOND ,J#b FAMILY4 ,ULTIMATELY1 ONLY SIX ( US W\LD GO TO TRIAL DUE TO LA/-M9UTE LEGAL COMPLICATIONS D[N ! ROAD1 BUT = ALL 9T5TS & PURPOSES1 ?IS CORE GR\P /UCK TOGE!R FROM ?AT MOM5T ON--?R\< WEEKLY CONF]5CE CALLS1 FREQU5T C\RT APPE>ANCES & DEF5DANT-L$ MEET+S ) ALL \R LAWY]S1 & LIV+ TOGE!R DUR+ ! SIX WEEKS ( TRIAL1 ALL ! WAY ?R\< TO ! LONG-AWAIT$ DAY ( \R V]DICT4 

,N#a#e3 ,! ,TRIAL 

  

,GO+ TO TRIAL WAS ITS [N *APT] 9 ! ,J#b SAGA4 ,TIME /OOD /ILL = SIX WEEKS AS ,OLIV]1 ,J51 ,*RI/9A1 ,BRIT1 ,ALEXEI1 & ,I SAT AT A TABLE 9 \R F9E/ C\RT FA%ION ) \R TEAM ( LAWY]S 9 ,C\RTROOM #bc 9 ! ,SUP]IOR ,C\RT ( ,D,C4 ,TO \R LEFT SAT TWO ,F$]AL ,PROSECUTORS3 ,ASSI/ANT ,U,S ,ATTORNEY ,J5NIF] ,K]KH(F1 ONE ( ! VILE/ HUMAN BE+S ,I HAVE EV] HAD ! DISPLEASURE ( %>+ SPACE )1 & ! SLI<TLY MORE PALATABLE YET EQUALLY REPREH5SIBLE ,RIZWAN ,QURE%I4 ,9 ! JURY BOX SAT SIXTE5 PEOPLE FROM ACROSS ! CITY :O HAD BE5 *OS5 TO DECIDE \R FATE VIA A SEV]AL-DAY JURY SELECTION PROCESS AT ! ONSET ( TRIAL2 & AT ! B5* WAS ,JUDGE ,LYNN ,LEIBOVITZ1 KN[N BY MANY AS 0! T\<E/ JUDGE 9 ,D,C40 ,BEH9D US1 ! GALL]Y WAS FULL TO ! BRIM ) CO-DEF5DANTS & SUPPORT]S4 ,!Y LIT]ALLY HAD \R BACKS4 ,!Y ASSUR$ US ?AT WE W\LDN'T BE GO+ ?R\< ?IS PROCESS ON \R [N4 

,TRIAL WAS AN EMOTIONAL ROLL]COA/]4 ,ALL ( US HAD TO PUT \R LIVES ON AN 9DEF9ITE HOLD1 TY+ UP LOOSE 5DS & MAK+ >RANGEM5TS 9 CASE WE W]E S5T TO PRISON4 ,WE W]E UPROOT$ FROM \R HOMES1 MANY ( US /ILL PAY+ R5T ON H\SES ) NO C]TA9TY :E!R OR :5 WE W\LD RETURN TO !M4 ,9 ,D,C1 WE LIV$ 9 ,AIRBNBS TOGE!R ) \R CLOSE/ SUPPORT PEOPLE4 ,WE HAD NO IDEA H[ LONG TRIAL W\LD TAKE4 ,IT W\LDN'T BE CLE> UNTIL ! MOM5T IT WAS ALL F9ALLY OV]4 

,DAY AFT] LONG & GRUEL+ DAY WAS SP5T WAK+ UP E>LY1 PUTT+ ON ! NICE/ \TFITS WE C\LD ASSEMBLE1 GRABB+ SOME?+ TO EAT1 & TAK+ ! METRO1 RID+ BIKES1 OR WALK+ D[N TO ! C\R?\SE FROM \R ,AIRBNBS 9 ,COLUMBIA ,HEI<TS4 ,WE W\LD MEET ) \R LAWY]S & HOLD LITTLE CONF]5CES 9 ! HALLWAY :ILE WAIT+ = ! O!R CASES TO BE CALL$4 ,!N WE W\LD SP5D ! RE/ ( ! DAY WE>+ \R BE/ POK] FACES AS WE SAT 9 ?AT GRIM1 W9D[LESS C\RTROOM WITNESS+ ! PROCE$+S ( \R TRIAL UNFOLD4 

,WE SAT !RE & WAT*$ AS ,K]KH(F & ,QURE%I PRES5T$ !IR CASE1 /AT+ FROM ! BEG9N+ ?AT NONE ( US WAS BE+ ACCUS$ ( ACTUALLY BREAK+ ANY?+4 ,!Y CALL$ NUM]\S (FIC]S & WITNESSES TO ! /& & %[$ VIDEO AFT] TRIGG]+ VIDEO ( POLICE BODY CAMS & A]IAL SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE FROM ?AT DAY4 ,!Y PUT \R HACK$ PHONE DATA CONT5TS ON ! BIG SCRE51 PULL$ \R BELONG+S \T ( C>DBO>D BOXES WE>+ PLA/IC GLOVES & HELD !M UP AS ?\< !Y W]E CONTAM9AT$1 & PRES5T$ BIG FOAM DISPLAY BO>DS ) SCRE5%OTS ( \R ALLEG$ P]SONS AT V>I\S PO9TS DUR+ ! M>*--A S]IES ( PIXELAT$ BLACK CLAD BLOBS ?AT APPE>$ JU/ TO BE WALK+4 ,WE WORK$ CLOSELY ) \R LAWY]S1 TAK+ EXT5SIVE NOTES1 BRA9/ORM+ C\NT]->GUM5TS1 & DIGG+ UP DIRT ON ! BOMBA/IC LEAD DETECTIVE1 ,GREGG ,PEMB]TON4 

,JUDGE ,LEIBOVITZ MADE IT CLE> :OSE SIDE %E WAS ON4 ,AFT] ! JURY HAD BE5 DISMISS$ ONE DAY1 %E MADE A RUL+ ON PROBABLE CAUSE 9 :I* %E ADAMANTLY DESCRIB$ US AS A 0SW>M ( BEES1 9SECTS1 OR SOME K9D ( ANIMAL ?AT COALESC$ & MOV$ TOGE!R AS ?\< PULL$ BY A GRAVITATIONAL =CE40 ,%E ALSO COMP>$ ! CASE TO EXAMPLES ( 0WILD+0 9 :I* A FEW PEOPLE BEAT SOMEONE UP & ALL PRES5T P>TIES >E HELD RESPONSIBLE = IT REG>DLESS ( :O ?REW ! PUN*ES4 ,?IS FOLL[S ! DI/ORT$ BELIEF ?AT VIOL5CE AGA9/ A P]SON CAN BE EQUAT$ ) PROP]TY DAMAGE4 ,%E RUL$ ?AT !RE WAS 9DIVIDUALIZ$ PROBABLE CAUSE TO >RE/ EA* ( US BAS$ ON ! MOVEM5T ( ! 0GR\P0 ACROSS SIXTE5 BLOCKS 9 ?IRTY-?REE M9UTES1 & ! BEHAVIOR ( ! 0GR\P0 DUR+ ?AT TIME4 ,AL?\< NONE ( US W]E ALLEG$ TO HAVE P]SONALLY CAUS$ ANY ( ! DAMAGE1 NOR WAS !RE EVID5CE ( \R PREEXI/+ KN[L$GE ?AT IT W\LD HAPP51 %E RUL$ ?AT WE W]E COMPLICIT 9 5ABL+ ! 0RIOT0 BY NOT IMM$IATELY LEAV+ ! PROTE/ AS SOON AS ! FIR/ W9D[S W]E BROK54 ,= ! SIX ( US & MANY O!RS1 WE W]E BE+ *>G$ ON ACC\NT ( \R PRES5CE ALONE4 

,ALL ,I CAN SAY IS1 IT WAS A GOOD ?+ ?IS WAS A JURY TRIAL4 

,\R ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO SEE DAYLI<T 9 ?OSE W9T] MON?S WAS AN H\R-LONG LUN* BREAK ?AT WE SOMETIMES SP5T DECOMPRESS+ & SOCIALIZ+ ) COMRADES ON ! LAWN ACROSS ! /REET1 BUT MORE (T5 9 ! C\R?\SE CAFET]IA DISCUSS+ ! MORN+'S PROCE$+S ) \R LAWY]S4 

,AFT] A FULL DAY 9 C\RT1 ,I W\LD HEAD DIRECTLY TO MY LAWY]S' (FICE 9 ,*9AT[N1 :]E WE W\LD SP5D C\NTLESS H\RS LOOK+ ?R\< DISCOV]Y FOOTAGE1 DOCUM5T+ NOTABLE SC5ES 9 HI<LY-ORGANIZ$ SPREAD%EETS1 TALK+ /RATEGY1 RESE>*+ ! GOV]NM5T'S WITNESSES1 & PLANN+ L9ES ( QUE/ION+ = CROSS-EXAM9ATIONS ! FOLL[+ DAY4 ,SOMETIMES WE W\LD BE !RE UNTIL ELEV5 O'CLOCK AT NI<T1 DO+ EV]Y?+ WE C\LD POSSIBLY ?9K ( & !N SOME TO AID 9 \R DEF5SE4 ,I ALWAYS LOOK$ =W>D TO ! %OT ( :ISKEY MY LAWY] W\LD %>E ) ME TO TAKE ! $GE (F AFT] A LONG DAY'S WORK4 

,MY LAWY]S HAD ME PRACTICE BE+ QUE/ION$ BY !M & CROSS-EXAM9$ BY A /RONG PROSECUTOR 9 !IR LAW FIRM TO PREP>E ME = ! POSSIBILITY ( TE/IFY+4 ,?IS WAS A V]Y HELPFUL OPPORTUNITY TO UND]/& JU/ H[ N]VE-WRACK+ & DIFFICULT TE/IFY+ CAN BE4 ,FROM ?IS PRACTICE SESSION1 ,I CONCLUD$ ?AT UNLESS IT SEEM$ ABSOLUTELY NECESS>Y1 TE/IFY+ W\LD NOT BE 9 MY BE/ 9T]E/4 ,!Y ALSO PREP>$ ONE ( MY BE/ FRI5DS TO TE/IFY AS A *>ACT] WITNESS ON MY BEHALF4 ,:5 ! PROSECUTION RE/$ ITS CASE1 WE FELT /RONGLY ?AT ! GOV]NM5T HADN'T MET ITS BURD5 ( PRO( & DECID$ NOT TO HAVE ANYONE TE/IFY 9 MY DEF5SE4 ,PUTT+ ANYONE ON ! /& GIVES ! PROSECUTION AN EXTRA OPPORTUNITY TO ASK PRESUMPTU\S & LEAD+ QUE/IONS 9 !IR CROSS-EXAM9ATION ?AT C\LD BE DETRIM5TAL TO ! OV]ALL CASE NO MATT] H[ Y\ ANSW]4 ,IT IS A /RATEGIC DECISION ?AT REALLY DEP5DS ON ! 9DIVIDUAL CASE AT H&4 ,IT IS A DECISION ?AT %\LD NOT BE TAK5 LI<TLY4 

,:ILE SOME ( MY TRIAL CO-DEF5DANTS *OSE TO BR+ 9 *>ACT] WITNESSES TO TE/IFY1 NONE ( US ON TRIAL TOOK ! /&4 ,?IS WAS A COLLECTIVE DECISION ?AT 9VOLV$ MANY CONV]SATIONS AB\T ! IMPLICATIONS & RISKS ?AT TE/IFY+ POS$ = ! GR\P2 IT WAS ALSO A P]SONAL DECISION ON EA* ( \R P>TS TO HE> & RESPECT ! CONC]NS ( \R CO-DEF5DANTS4 ,I AM PR\D TO SAY ?AT 9 ! FACE ( SO MU* /RESS DUR+ ?AT TIME1 WE EA* DID \R BE/ TO COMMUNICATE COMPASSIONATELY ) ONE ANO!R1 TO CONSID] EA* O!RS' CONC]NS1 & TO MAKE *OICES ?AT REFLECT$ A COMMITM5T TO EA* O!R ABOVE EV]Y?+ ELSE4 

,! ,V]DICT 

  

,ONCE ! CLOS+ >GUM5TS CONCLUD$ & ! JUDGE GAVE ! JURY 9/RUCTIONS1 ! JURORS SP5T SEV]AL DAYS 9 DELIB]ATION4 ,AL?\< WE DID NOT HAVE TO BE PRES5T 9 ! C\RTROOM DUR+ ?IS TIME1 WE W]E REQUIR$ TO BE )9 FIFTE5 M9UTES ( ! C\R?\SE SO WE C\LD GET !RE QUICKLY ONCE A V]DICT WAS REA*$4 

,ALL WE C\LD DO WAS WAIT4 ,WE W5T = WALKS1 *ECK$ \T ! NE>BY MUSEUMS1 READ BOOKS1 & TOOK NAPS 9 ! FAMILY C\RT L\NGE4 ,WE HAD NO IDEA H[ LONG IT C\LD BE BE=E WE HE>D SOME?+4 ,IT WAS MID-,DECEMB] & WE JU/ AB\T LO/ HOPE ?AT WE W\LD RECEIVE A V]DICT BE=E ! C\RT W5T ON BREAK = ! HOLIDAYS1 :I* W\LD MEAN RETURN+ 9 ,JANU>Y TO CONT9UE DELIB]ATIONS4 

,& !N1 EXACTLY ELEV5 MON?S AFT] \R 9ITIAL RELEASE FROM JAIL1 ON ! ,W9T] ,SOL/ICE1 ,DECEMB] #b#a1 #b#a#g1 :5 ! E>? REA*$ ITS FUR!/ PO9T FROM ! SUN & BEGAN TO MOVE CLOS] AGA91 WE RECEIV$ NOTICE ?AT ! JURY HAD COME TO A UNANIM\S DECISION = EV]Y *>GE AGA9/ EA* ( ! DEF5DANTS ON TRIAL4 ,WE RU%$ TO ! C\RTROOM & WAIT$ 9 ANTICIPATION AS ! JURORS FIL$ 9 ONE BY ONE4 

,ALL SIX ( US W]E FAC+ SEV5 *>GES--SIX FELONIES & ONE MISDEMEANOR EA*4 ,! 9CIT+ *>GE HAD BE5 DEEM$ MULTIPLICIT\S & ?R[N \T BY ! JUDGE DUR+ ! ,MOTION = ,JUDGM5T ( ,ACQUITTAL PRIOR TO DELIB]ATIONS4 

,! TRANSCRIPT READS3  
  

,! ,C,\,R,T3 ,GOOD MORN+1 LADIES & G5TLEM5 -- OR GOOD AFT]NOON1 ,I GUESS4 

,I RECEIV$ A NOTE FROM Y\ AT #a#a3#b4 ,IT'S SIGN$ BY ,JUROR ,NO4 #a#a4 ,& IT SAYS1 

0,WE HAVE REA*$ A V]DICT ON ALL C\NTS40 

,I'LL ASK Y\1 ,JUROR #a#a1 TO PLEASE /&4 

,SIR1 >E Y\ ! =EP]SON8 

,! ,J,U,R,Y ,=,E,P,],S,O,N3 ,YES4 

,! ,C,\,R,T3 ,HAS ! JURY REA*$ A UNANIM\S V]DICT ON EA* & EV]Y C\NT AS TO EA* & EV]Y ,DEF5DANT8 

,! ,J,U,R,Y ,=,E,P,],S,O,N3 ,YES4  
  

,I WAS UP FIR/4  
  

,! ,C,\,R,T3 ,ON ,C\NT #a1 H[ DO Y\ F9D .<,MIEL.> ON ! *>GE ( 5GAG+ 9 A RIOT8 

,! ,J,U,R,Y ,=,E,P,],S,O,N3 ,NOT GUILTY4 

,! ,C,\,R,T3 ,ON ,C\NT #b1 ON ! *>GE ( CONSPIRACY TO 5GAGE 9 A RIOT8 

,! ,J,U,R,Y ,=,E,P,],S,O,N3 ,NOT GUILTY4 

,! ,C,\,R,T3 ,ON ,C\NT #c1 DE/RUCTION ( PROP]TY8 

,! ,J,U,R,Y ,=,E,P,],S,O,N3 ,NOT GUILTY4 

,! ,C,\,R,T3 ,ON ,C\NT #d1 DE/RUCTION ( PROP]TY8 

,! ,J,U,R,Y ,=,E,P,],S,O,N3 ,NOT GUILTY4 

,! ,C,\,R,T3 ,ON ,C\NT #e1 DE/RUCTION ( PROP]TY8 

,! ,J,U,R,Y ,=,E,P,],S,O,N3 ,NOT GUILTY4 

,! ,C,\,R,T3 ,ON ,C\NT #f1 DE/RUCTION ( PROP]TY8 

,! ,J,U,R,Y ,=,E,P,],S,O,N3 ,NOT GUILTY4 

,! ,C,\,R,T3 ,& ,C\NT #g1 DE/RUCTION ( PROP]TY8 

,! ,J,U,R,Y ,=,E,P,],S,O,N3 ,NOT GUILTY4  
  

,TE>S CAME TO MY EYES4 ,I C\LD B>ELY CONTA9 MYSELF AS ,I WAIT$ TO HE> ! V]DICTS = MY CO-DEF5DANTS4 ,I LI/5$ 9T5TLY AS ONE BY ONE1 ,J51 ,*RI/9A1 ,ALEXEI1 ,OLIV]1 & ,BRIT W]E ALL F\ND NOT GUILTY ON EA* & EV]Y ONE ( !IR *>GES TOO4 ,! JURY RETURN$ NOT GUILTY V]DICTS ON ALL #db C\NTS4 ,WE HAD SUCCESSFULLY SECUR$ SIX COMPLETE & RES\ND+ ACQUITTALS4 ,:AT A VICTORY6 

,! 5]GY ( ! C\RTROOM LIFT$ US UP & C>RI$ US ALL ! WAY \T ( ! BUILD+4 ,EV]YONE HUGG$ & CONGRATULAT$ US4 ,REPORT]S SW>M$ US = /ATEM5TS & PHOTOGRAPHS2 \R PHONES W]E R++ (F ! HOOK4 ,WE HAD WON6 ,! BATTLE ( ,J#b WAS F> FROM OV]1 BUT ?IS TRIUMPH WAS SOME?+ TO CELEBRATE4 ,& CELEBRATE WE DID4 

,= A DETAIL$ ACC\NT ( \R TRIAL PROCE$+S1 *ECK \T ! _?,DROP,J#b ,PODCA/ ,UPDATE ON ITSGO+D[N4ORG4 ,!Y PRODUC$ SEV5 EPISODES ALTOGE!R1 F\R DUR+ ?IS TRIAL & ?REE MORE OV] ! FOLL[+ SIX MON?S4 ,Y\ CAN ALSO LI/5 TO AN 9T]VIEW ,I DID AFT] MY TRIAL 5D$ ON ! ,EX-,WORK] PODCA/1 _?#f#b3 ,SUPPORT1 ,HEAL+1 & ,R$EF9+ ,RESI/ANCE--#b#a#g 9 ,REVIEW1 ,P>T ,I,I 7TIME/AMP #a3#a3#a#f74 

,ONE MON? AFT] \R TRIAL RETURN$ FULL ACQUITTALS1 #abi CASES W]E DISMISS$ )\T EXPLANATION1 LEAV+ #ei DEF5DANTS /ILL FAC+ *>GES4 ,A FEW ( ?OSE CASES W5T TO TRIAL 9 ! SPR+ ( #b#a#h1 RESULT+ 9 ACQUITTALS & TWO MI/RIALS4 ,!RE WAS NOT A S+LE JURY CONVICTION DUR+ ! 5TIRE ,J#b PROSECUTION4 ,ON ,JULY #f1 #b#a#h1 EV]Y REMA9+ CASE WAS F9ALLY DISMISS$4 

,IT WAS ALL OV]4 ,WE HAD WON4 

,\R EF=TS = COLLECTIVE DEF5SE & ! E>LY TRIAL /RATEGY W]E A SUCCESS4 #bcd PEOPLE >RE/$1 #bag 9DICT$ ON A M9IMUM ( #h FELONIES EA*1 & ,Z,],O CONVICTIONS AT TRIAL4 ,ONLY #ba PLEA DEALS W]E TAK51 & ONLY ONE ( ?OSE WAS = A FELONY4 ,:ILE !RE W]E O!R ASPECTS ( ! CASE ?AT CONTRIBUT$ TO ! 9EVITABLE D[NFALL ( ! PROSECUTION1 IT FEELS SAFE TO SAY ?AT ! E>LY TRIAL /RATEGY PLAY$ A BIG ROLE 9 DE/ABILIZ+ ! GOV]NM5T'S CASE & ACT$ AS A CATALY/ = ?AT SEQU5CE ( EV5TS TO UNFOLD4 ,?IS VICTORY ILLU/RATES ! P[] ( COLLECTIVE DEF5SE & ! POT5TIAL ?AT WE HAVE TOGE!R4 ,IT WASN'T EASY4 ,IT TOOK A LOT ( H>D WORK FROM A LOT ( PEOPLE TO MAKE ?IS ALL POSSIBLE4 ,9 ! 5D1 IT WAS ALL WOR? IT4 

,IF ,Y\ ,>E ,FAC+ AN ,ORDEAL LIKE ! ,J#b ,CASE 

  

,FIR/1 *ECK \T ?IS >TICLE ?AT CAME \T SOON AFT] \R >RE/1 ,MAK+ ! ,BE/ ( ,MASS ,>RE/S3 #ab ,LESSONS FROM ! ,KETTLE ,DUR+ ! ,J#b ,PROTE/S4 ,I W\LD ESPECIALLY HI<LI<T _?#e1 0,DON'T BR+ Y\R REAL PHONE0--EV5 IF Y\ BR+ A BURN] PHONE1 WIPE ! DATA & DE/ROY ! SIM C>D RA!R ?AN H&+ IT OV] TO ! COPS7-- _?#f1 0,SEIZE ! *ANCE TO PASS ON SKILLS02 & _?#g1 0,C>E = EA* O!R40 ,I CANNOT EMPHASIZE ?AT LA/ PO9T 5\<4 

,ALSO1 AS A G5]AL RULE ( ?UMB1 DON'T MAKE ?+S EASY = ! COPS1 DON'T TALK TO !M OR BELIEVE ANY?+ !Y SAY4 ,EV]4 

,H]E >E SOME O!R SUGGE/IONS4 

,TAKE M$IA 9TO Y\R [N H&S4 

  

,! N>RATIVES PRES5T$ 9 ! M$IA DO A LOT TO %APE PUBLIC OP9ION2 !Y CAN MAKE A BIG DIFF]5CE 9 9FLU5C+ ! \TCOME ( A CASE4 ,WORK+ ) SYMPA!TIC J\RNALI/S CAN BE A GREAT WAY TO AVOID SOME ( ! RISKS ( SPEAK+ 9 ! M$IA :ILE FAC+ *>GES4 ,ESPECIALLY :5 Y\ >E DEAL+ ) A POLITICAL CASE1 Y\ HAVE TO CONSID] ! RISK ( BE+ DOXX$ OR H>M$ BY ?OSE ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! POLITICAL SPECTRUM AS WELL AS ! LEGAL RISK ?AT SOME?+ Y\ SAY C\LD BE US$ AGA9/ Y\ 9 C\RT4 ,WORK+ ) J\RNALI/S :O >E WILL+ TO SPEAK (F ! RECORD OR CONDUCT 9T]VIEW ANONYM\SLY OR ) PSEUDONYMS CAN BE A GREAT WAY TO KEEP Y\RSELF SAFE :ILE GETT+ ! 9=MATION \T !RE 9 ! WAYS ?AT Y\ WANT IT TO BE UND]/OOD4 

,FRI5DS MAKE ! BE/ M$IC9E4 

  

,I MET SOME ( MY BE/ FRI5DS ?R\< ! ,J#b ORDEAL2 !Y GAVE ME ! /R5G? TO KEEP FI<T+ & 9SPIR$ ME TO GIVE IT MY ALL4 ,NOT ONLY WAS ,I FI<T+ = MYSELF1 ,I WAS FI<T+ = ALL ! COMRADES :O W]E 9 ?IS BATTLE ) ME2 & TOGE!R ) \R COMMUNITIES1 WE W]E FI<T+ = ! FUTURE ( DISS5T & RESI/ANCE 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES4 ,WORK+ 9 SOLID>ITY ) COMRADES T[>D A COMMON GOAL CAN EVOKE A S5SE ( BELONG+1 A S5SE ( PURPOSE2 IT MAKES ! :OLE EXP]I5CE FEEL MU* MORE MEAN+FUL4 

,SELF-ISOLAT+ IS NOT ! BE/ WAY TO DEAL ) AN EXP]I5CE LIKE ?IS4 

  

,H[ TRAUMATIC AN EXP]I5CE IS HAS A LOT TO DO ) ! SUPPORT WE RECEIVE DUR+ IT & 9 ! AFT]MA?4 ,ONE ?+ ?AT REALLY HELP$ ME GET ?R\< ?IS WAS ! RELATION%IPS ,I BUILT ) ! PEOPLE :O W]E 9 IT ) ME & ?OSE DO+ SUPPORT :O HAD BE5 ?R\< SOME?+ SIMIL> !MSELVES4 ,TIMES W]E HEAVY = ALL ( US1 & KN[+ !RE W]E O!R PEOPLE GO+ ?R\< IT ASSUR$ ME ,I WAS NEV] ALONE4 ,HOLD+ SPACE ) !SE PEOPLE TO TALK AB\T H[ IT HAS AFFECT$ \R LIVES & PROCESS \R FEEL+S AB\T IT 5ABL$ ME TO FEEL SE5 & VALIDAT$ MY EXP]I5CE ( BE+ 9 A L[-LEVEL CRISIS = MON?S ON 5D4 

,SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO FACE ! LEGAL 9JU/ICE SY/EM ON !IR [N4 ,MY HE>T TRULY GOES \T TO !M4 ,I WAS =TUNATE TO HAVE CO-DEF5DANTS TO %>E ! EXP]I5CE ) & SEASON$ COMRADES TO PROVIDE 9SI<T 9TO ! LEGAL SY/EM1 SUGGE/ H[ TO 5GAGE ) ! PROCESS1 & (F] TOOLS = CONFRONT+ ! MANY *ALL5GES ( BE+ A DEF5DANT4 ,= EXAMPLE1 ,I RECOMM5D ,A ,TILT$ ,GUIDE TO ,BE+ A ,DEF5DANT BY ! ,TILT$ ,SCALES ,COLLECTIVE4 

,WORK+ TOGE!R CAN ALSO DO A LOT TO DISSIPATE ! ANXIETY & P>ANOIA ?AT SOMEONE MI<T SNIT* OR COOP]ATE ) ! /ATE4 ,IT WAS REPORT$ BY ! C\RT ?AT !RE W]E NO SNIT*ES & NO COOP]ATION ) ! GOV]NM5T ON ! ,J#b CASE4 

,9 AN EXP]I5CE LIKE ?IS1 ! PUNI%M5T IS 9 ! PROCESS4 

  

,! P]IOD ( TIME BETWE5 BE+ >RE/$ & ! 5D ( TRIAL 9VOLVES CON/ANT /RESS4 ,DUR+ ?IS TIME1 IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO PRIORITIZE SELF-C>E & REA* \T = HELP4 ,REGULAT+ ! N]V\S SY/EM IS KEY TO /AY+ WELL4 ,TAKE BA?S1 GO = WALKS1 RIDE A BIKE1 DR9K TEA & READ A BOOK 9 A W>M COZY PLACE ?AT FEELS SAFE4 ,REMEMB] TO BREA!4 ,GET \T 9 NATURE6 ,F9D A !RAPI/ OR A SUPPORT GR\P OR BO?4 ,/>T Y\R [N SUPPORT GR\P4 ,EAT Y\R FAVORITE FOODS4 ,MOVE Y\R BODY6 ,HIKE UP A M\NTA94 ,CALL AN OLD FRI5D4 ,LET PEOPLE KN[ :AT Y\'RE GO+ ?R\<4 ,ASK = SUPPORT4 ,DO SOME?+ FUN TO REW>D Y\RSELF = DEAL+ ) ALL ! BULL%IT4 ,DO YOGA4 ,F9D ANY ACTIVITY ?AT PUTS Y\ MORE 9 Y\R BODY ?AN 9 Y\R HEAD & ALL[S Y\ TO DIS*>GE SOME ( ! ACTIVATION 5]GY ?AT BUILDS UP FROM CONT9UAL /RESS4 ,)\T A RELEASE1 ?IS 5]GY CAN BECOME /OR$ 9 ! BODY1 CAUS+ DISCOM=T1 T5SION1 & EV5 *RONIC PA94 

,COMIC RELIEF IS A GREAT WAY TO DIS*>GE BUILT-UP /RESS4 

  

,:E!R IT WAS CRACK+ JOKES 9 ! KETTLE TO EASE SOME ( ! T5SION WE W]E ALL FEEL+ ?AT DAY1 CREAT+ ! SPECTACUL> MUSICAL P>ODY 0,N[ ,?AT'S ,:AT ,I ,CALL ,K]KHOPHONY ,VOLUME #a10 OR P]=M+ A V5TRILOQUI/ ACT ) A BLACK-CLAD V5TRILOQUI/'S DUMMY CALL$ ,BLOC-O1 DEF5DANTS F\ND WAYS TO LI<T5 EA* O!RS' HE>TS & EVOKE MOM5TS ( JOY 9 ! FACE ( UNREL5T+ /ATE REPRESSION4 ,WE T5D TO TAKE \RSELVES QUITE S]I\SLY & IT CAN BE H>D TO LOOK ON ! BRI<T SIDE SOMETIMES1 BUT F9D+ WAYS TO BREAK FROM ! UN5D+ /RESS ( A LEGAL PROCESS TO HAVE A GOOD LAU< CAN (F] A MU*-NE$$ RELEASE TO SOO! \R T5D] HE>TS4 

,REMEMB] TO TAKE C>E 9 ! AFT]MA?1 TOO4 

  

,! /RESS & GRIEF EXP]I5C$ 9 ! AFT]MA? ( A TRAUMATIC EV5T OR P]IOD ( TIME CAN LEAVE A P]SON FEEL+ \T ( CONTROL & HAV+ A =E%ORT5$ S5SE ( FUTURE4 ,! /ATE WAS ATTEMPT+ TO TAKE AWAY \R ABILITY TO *OOSE H[ ! RE/ ( \R LIVES W\LD UNFOLD4 ,!Y W]E ?REAT5+ TO TAKE AWAY \R 5TIRE LIVES1 TO MURD] US SL[LY4 ,AT TW5TY-SEV51 FAC+ SEV5TY-FIVE YE>S 9 A CAGE MEANT ,I MI<T NOT SEE LIFE ON ! O!R SIDE4 ,& ?\< !RE IS LIFE BEH9D B>S1 & !RE DOES EXI/ A *ANCE ( MAK+ IT TO SIXTY OR SEV5TY YE>S OLD & GETT+ \T :OLE & HAV+ JOY\S1 BEAUTIFUL YE>S ON ! \TSIDE1 ?IS WAS NOT !IR 9T5TION4 ,!Y W]E TRY+ TO /IFLE & KILL US4 ,WE HAD TO COME TO T]MS ) ?IS ANTICIPATORY GRIEF :ILE FI<T+ LIKE HELL TO KEEP IT FROM HAPP5+4 ,\R LIVES DEP5D$ ON IT4 

,9 A LOT ( WAYS1 ! YE> AFT] MY TRIAL WAS MORE DIFFICULT = ME ?AN ! YE> ,I SP5T FAC+ LIFE 9 PRISON4 ,:5 TRIAL 5D$1 ,I DIDN'T KN[ :AT TO DO ) MYSELF4 ,I HAD SP5T SO MU* TIME SOLELY FOCUS$ ON MY DEF5SE & PREP>+ = AN 5DPO9T TO LIFE AS ,I KNEW IT4 ,REG>DLESS ( H[ IMPLAUSIBLE ! *>GES SEEM$1 ?AT V]Y REAL ?REAT HAD BE5 HANG+ OV] MY HEAD1 PREV5T+ ME FROM MAK+ ANY LONG-T]M PLANS OR IMAG9+ :AT ! RE/ ( MY LIFE MI<T LOOK LIKE IF ,I DIDN'T SP5D IT BEH9D B>S4 

,ONCE ,I HAD MY LIFE BACK 9 MY [N H&S1 ,I F\ND MYSELF SCRAMBL+ = SOME?+ TO DO TO FILL ! EMPTY SPACE ?AT HAD BE5 OCCUPI$ = SO LONG ) ORGANIZ+ ,J#b DEF5SE4 ,I W5T ?R\< 9T5SE P]IODS ( DEPRESSION & ANXIETY4 ,I WANT$ TO DO NO?+ & EV]Y?+ ALL AT ONCE4 ,I EXP]I5C$ OV]SLEEP+ & SLEEPLESSNESS1 & ,I WAV]$ FROM BE+ HI<LY S5SITIVE TO DISSOCIAT$ & NUMB AS ! FEEL+S & EMOTIONS ( ! PA/ YE> F9ALLY HAD SPACE TO SURFACE4 

#bah >RIV$ ) A /RANGE S5SE ( LOSS1 A LACK ( DIRECTION1 A LOT ( CONTEMPLATION1 & A GREAT DEAL ( CONFUSION4 ,I WAS NOT FAC+ DECADES 9 PRISON ANYMORE1 BUT ,I WAS FAC+ ! REALITY ?AT LIFE WAS R\< BE=E ,J#b & IT W\LD CONT9UE TO BE R\< AFT] ,J#b4 

,I HAD SP5T ! F\R YE>S PRIOR TO MY >RE/ TRAVEL+1 UNTE!R$ TO ANY ONE PHYSICAL LOCATION1 UNATTA*$ TO :]E MY J\RNEY W\LD LEAD ME1 SE>*+ = A WAY TO F9D MEAN+ 9 ?IS LIFE4 ,I REJECT$ SOCIETAL NORMS ?AT 5C\RAGE US TO /AY 9 ONE PLACE1 WORK A FULL-TIME JOB1 GET M>RI$1 />T A FAMILY1 GR[ OLD & EV5TUALLY DIE4 ,I LONG$ = SOME?+ MORE MEAN+FUL ?AN ?IS G5]IC COOKIE-CUTT] EXI/5CE ?AT ACCEPTS & UPHOLDS ! CONDITIONS ( A CAPITALI/ SOCIETY4 ,I S\<T TO F9D A BETT] PLACE = MYSELF 9 A WORLD DESIGN$ TO ISOLATE & ALI5ATE EV]Y S+LE ONE ( US4 

,YET ,I LACK$ A S5SE ( :AT 0HOME0 MEANT OR :AT IT MI<T LOOK LIKE = ME4 ,I HAD BO? F\ND & LO/ 0COMMUNITY0 NUM]\S TIMES1 & HAD EXP]I5C$ TRAUMA & GRIEF 9 A V>IETY ( =MS4 ,AT ! 5D ( ! DAY1 ,I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE ,I BELONG$ ANY:]E4 ,I HADN'T LIV$ 9 ANY S+LE PLACE = MORE ?AN SIX MON?S2 ,I FELT 9HIBIT$ 9 MY ATTEMPTS AT FO/]+ MEAN+FUL CONNECTIONS 9 AN>*I/ COMMUNITIES DUE TO ! FACT ?AT ,I WAS SE5 AS A TRANSI5T NEWCOM]1 & PEOPLE T5D TO BE SKEPTICAL ( FOLKS :O COME >\ND SEEM+LY \T ( NO:]E4 ,!RE W]E PEOPLE ,I C>$ DEEPLY =1 SCATT]$ 9 V>I\S CITIES ACROSS ! C\NTRY & >\ND ! WORLD--& :ILE OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT ) !M MOTIVAT$ ME TO KEEP TRAVEL+1 ,I CONT9UALLY /RUGGL$ TO C>VE \T SPACE TO SETTLE & E/ABLI% MYSELF AS A P>T ( A RADICAL COMMUNITY4 ,?IS WAS ONE ( ! PRIM>Y REASONS ?AT ,I FELT COMPELL$ TO GO TO ,D,C 9 ! FIR/ PLACE4 ,I KNEW :]E MY HE>T WAS1 ,I WAS C]TA9 ( MY POLITICS & ! /RUGGLES ,I WI%$ TO 5GAGE )1 BUT ,I DIDN'T HAVE AN APP>5T WAY TO TRANSLATE MY YE>N+S 9TO ACTION4 ,J#b WAS A WAY 94 

,IT WAS ALSO A WAY \T4 ,I HAD BE5 WORN D[N1 REPEAT$LY FI<T+ AN UPHILL BATTLE = BELONG+ ) OPPOSITION COM+ FROM ! V]Y SIDE ,I WI%$ TO FI<T+ BE ON4 ,I CONT9UALLY FELT LIKE AN \TCA/ ) NO:]E TO GO4 ,I WAS TIR$ ( LEAV+ ONE PLACE JU/ TO L& SOME:]E ELSE & HAVE ! SAME /ORY REPEAT ITSELF OV] & OV] AGA92 BUT ,I ALSO F\ND NO GOOD REASON COMPELL+ ME TO /AY ANY:]E4 ,IT WAS TIME TO BREAK ?IS CYCLE4 

,I HAD NO IDEA :AT TO EXPECT ) MY DECISION TO GO TO ,D,C1 BUT AT LEA/ ,I KNEW IT W\LD BE SOME?+ DIFF]5T4 ,IT TOOK ME \T ( ! NORMALCY ( /RUGGL+ = A MEAG] DAY-TO-DAY EXI/5CE & 9TO AN 5VIRONM5T ( DIRECT CONFRONTATION & RESI/ANCE4 ,IT WAS A *ANCE TO FEEL ALIVE4 ,IT WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO 5GAGE ) PEOPLE FROM ACROSS ! C\NTRY & FROM ALL WALKS ( LIFE :O %>$ MY DISCONT5T & MY YE>N+S = SOME?+ MORE1 SOME?+ BETT]4 ,EV5 IF ?IS EXP]I5CE DIDN'T HELP ME A*IEVE MY L>G] GOAL ( F9D+ A PLACE TO CALL HOME1 IT W\LD AT LEA/ PROVIDE ME ) A MOM5T>Y GLIMPSE ( :AT IT FEELS LIKE TO TRULY EXI/ 9 SOLID>ITY ) COMRADES & ALL[ ME TO RE*>GE MY DRA9$ & DEPLET$ LIFE-=CE 5]GY4 

,?AT SOLID>ITY PROVID$ ME ) A TEMPOR>Y HOME4 ,IT K9DL$ A FIRE BLAZ+ ) PASSION1 A FLAM+ LIM\S9E ?AT W>M$ MY HE>T & N\RI%$ ! DEEPE/ P>T ( MY BE+4 ,! FIRE BURN$ FI]CELY AS ITS FLAME PROVID$ LI<T ?R\< ! D>KNESS1 GR[+ 9 SIZE & 9T5SITY AS ONE DAY ( ACTION BECAME A YE>-&-A-HALF-LONG BATTLE AGA9/ /ATE REPRESSION4 ,WE CAME TOGE!R >\ND ?AT FIRE = A %>$ PURPOSE3 TO HOLD EA* O!R UP1 TO WORK TOGE!R & FI<T AGA9/ A COMMON 5EMY1 TO FO/] RELATION%IPS ( SUPPORT DESPITE ! GOV]NM5T'S BE/ EF=TS AT TE>+ US AP>T4 ,WE KEPT ?AT FIRE BURN+2 WE F$ IT ) \R COMMITM5T TO ONE ANO!R & WAT*$ IT GR[ )9 US & BEYOND AS SOLID>ITY ACTIONS AMPLIFI$ ! COLLECTIVE HEAT >\ND ! WORLD4 

,! ?+ AB\T FIRE IS ?AT :ILE IT CAN BE A S\RCE ( P[] & /R5G?1 IT ALSO HAS ! POT5TIAL TO BURN US & EV]Y?+ ELSE 9 ITS PA?4 ,IF WE >5'T C>EFUL1 IT CAN DE/ROY US1 9C9]AT+ \R SPIRIT & CONSUM+ EV]Y?+ WE HAVE WORK$ T[>D ALL ! WAY D[N TO ! V]Y F\NDATIONS WE /& UPON4 ,9T]NAL CONFLICTS1 UNEQUAL P[] DYNAMICS1 ! HO>D+ ( 9=MATION OR ACCESS TO RES\RCES1 & EGO-DRIV5 ATTEMPTS AT GA9+ SOCIAL CAPITAL >E AMONG ! FACTORS ?AT CONTRIBUT$ TO ! GRADUAL EXT+UI%M5T ( ALL ?AT WE HAD CREAT$ & ! QU5*+ ( ANY POT5TIAL = CONT9U+ TO C>RY ! TOR* 9TO ! NEXT FIELD ( BATTLE4 

,! FLAME HAS BE5 SMO!R$ AS ?IS P>TICUL> FI<T HAS COME TO AN 5D1 & ) IT1 ! DISSIPATION ( SOLID>ITY & SUPPORT ?AT UP UNTIL ?IS PO9T HAD PREVAIL$4 ,IT SEEMS WE HAVE LE>N$ H[ TO MAKE FIRES--:E!R ! FIRE ( REVOLT OR ( IMM$IATE SOLID>ITY--BUT WE HAV5'T YET MADE HE>?S1 HOMES = ! FIRES & = \RSELVES1 :]E ! HEAT CAN L+] A :ILE LONG]1 (F]+ US SOLACE & SPACE TO HEAL2 NOR DO WE HAVE CIRCLES ( HE>?S1 ! BASIC %APE ( SO MANY HUMAN COMMUNITIES4 

,! IMM$IATE PLUMMET ( SUPPORT 9 ! AFT]MA? WAS ONE ( ! H>DE/ ASPECT ( ?IS :OLE EXP]I5CE4 ,! COMMUNITY ,I HAD COME TO FEEL SUPPORT$ BY DISSIPAT$ AS ! TIME CAME TO PICK MYSELF UP & RECON/RUCT A LIFE = MYSELF FROM ! PILE ( A%ES ?AT REMA9$4 ,I KNEW ?AT MANY ( ! PEOPLE 5GAG+ ) ,J#b ORGANIZ+ & SUPPORT W]E DO+ SO BECAUSE WE W]E DIRECTLY 9 ! L9E ( FIRE1 FAC+ ! B>REL ( ! GUN HEAD-ON2 BUT P>T ( ME ALSO BELIEV$ WE HAD CULTIVAT$ SOME?+ DEEP] ?AN ?AT4 ,ONCE EV]Y?+ WAS OV]1 ! FALL\T HIT H>D & ,I F\ND MYSELF1 YET AGA91 FEEL+ ALONE & LIKE ,I DIDN'T BELONG ANY:]E4 ,I SP5T MORE TIME 9 #bah JU/ TRY+ TO /ABILIZE MYSELF 5\< TO GET \T ( B$ EA* DAY ?AN ACTUALLY RECOV]+ FROM ! YE> PRIOR4 

,I AM /ILL COM+ TO T]MS ) ! LOSS ( ?IS COLLECTIVE COHESION ?AT 9 MANY WAYS DEF9$ MY ID5TITY = A P]IOD ( TIME4 ,! COMPLEXITIES ( GRIEF REFLECT DIS9TEGRATION ON A COMMUNITY LEVEL1 ! ]OSION ( A NUMB] ( P]SONAL RELATION%IPS =M$ ?R\< ! EXP]I5CE1 & ! DISAPPE>ANCE ( SOME ( MY PRIM>Y SUPPORT FROM ?AT TIME4 ,?IS ALL ADD$ ANO!R DIM5SION TO ! TRAUMA ,I WAS RECOV]+ FROM & MADE IT NE>LY IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE ! CAPACITY TO TAKE ON EV5 ! MO/ FAMILI> /RESSORS ( DAY-TO-DAY LIFE1 LET ALONE DEVELOP HEAL?Y RELATION%IPS OR 5GAGE 9 ANY TYPE ( ORGANIZ+ OR ACTIVISM4 ,! WORLD QUICKLY BECAME A COLD & LONELY PLACE AS ,I CAME TO FEEL MORE & MORE 9VISIBLE 9 ! ABS5CE ( A CONSPICU\S CRISIS TO AV]T1 & )\T A HOME COMMUNITY TO SU/A9 ME4  
  

0,WE GR[ P[]FUL1 WE 9T]RUPT NORMALITY1 WE RISE UP1 EV5 SP>K+ 9SURRECTIONS1 & 9 MO/ CASES WE ALSO SURVIVE ! SUBSEQU5T REPRESSION1 ALMO/ COMPLETELY 9TACT4 ,BUT !N AFT] WE'VE SEEM+LY WON1 WE GR[ 9CREAS+LY UPSET ) \R WEAKNESSES1 ) ONE ANO!R1 ) H[ UGLY ! WORLD REMA9S2 WE AVOID />+ 9TO ! ABYSS ( H[ MU* IS LEFT TO DO & :AT WE'RE 9FLICT+ ON ! PLANET & \RSELVES1 & WE GIVE UP 9 A WAY4 ,WE LOSE ONE ANO!R1 WE MOVE AWAY FROM ! FIRE & 9TO ! COLD1 ALONE1 A MILLION ( US 9 NE>LY ! EXACT SAME CIRCUM/ANCE1 YET EA* ONE ALONE40  
  

,?IS BR+S ME TO CONSID] :AT 0SUPPORT0 ACTUALLY MEANS & LOOKS LIKE 9 ! AFT]MA? ( /ATE REPRESSION &1 = ?OSE CONVICT$1 PO/-9C>C]ATION4 ,H[ CAN WE C>VE \T SPACE = ! GRIEF & ! EMOTIONAL EBBS & FL[S NECESS>Y TO 9TEGRATE SU* LIV$ EXP]I5CES 9TO \R P]SONAL N>RATIVES & HI/ORIES8 ,H[ CAN WE F9D WAYS TO E/ABLI% ONGO+ LONG-T]M SUPPORT = \RSELVES & EA* O!R :ILE WE CONT9UE TO COME FACE-TO-FACE ) A NEV]-5D+ 9FLUX ( CRISES8 ,H[ CAN WE BUILD \R CAPACITY & \R RESILI5CE KN[+ !RE WILL NEV] BE AN 5D TO ! /RUGGLE8 ,:AT CAN WE LE>N FROM ?IS & H[ CAN WE DO ?+S DIFF]5TLY 9 ! FUTURE TO MITIGATE ! FALL\T FROM CIRCUM/ANCES SU* AS !SE8 ,H[ CAN WE KEEP ?AT FIRE BURN+ FROM ONE BATTLE TO ! NEXT1 ALL[+ IT TO CONT9UE TO N\RI% US1 SO WE MI<T CULTIVATE ! /R5G? TO /ICK TOGE!R & BUILD UPON \R GREATE/ POT5TIAL8 

,I HOPE TO ALWAYS C>RY ) ME ! MEMORY ( W>M? PROVID$ BY ! EPHEM]AL FLAME ( RESI/ANCE SP>K$ ON ?AT UN=GETTABLE DAY & ! YE> ?AT FOLL[$1 SO ,I MI<T BE =TUNATE 5\< TO FEEL IT AGA9 SOM$AY4 

,LET'S REMEMB] TO BE G5TLE ) \RSELVES & ) ONE ANO!R AS WE ACKN[L$GE ?AT LIFE UND] CAPITALISM IS AN ONGO+ & 9ESCAPABLY TRAUMATIC EXP]I5CE2 ?AT WE >E ALL DO+ ! BE/ WE CAN2 ?AT WE ALL HAVE A BASIC NE$ = C>E & COMPASSION ON AN ONGO+ BASIS2 & ?AT WE REALLY DO NE$ EA* O!R4 

,WE CAN'T PREV5T TRAUMATIC EXP]I5CES FROM HAPP5+ TO US1 BUT WE CAN BUILD \R CAPACITY TO KEEP GO+4 

  

,! CONDITIONS 9 :I* WE >E =C$ TO EXI/ >E HO/ILE TO \R SURVIVAL1 ADV]SE TO \R NATURAL 9CL9ATIONS1 & DETRIM5TAL TO \R OV]ALL 9DIVIDUAL & COLLECTIVE WELL-BE+4 ,?IS IS EXACTLY :Y MU/ WE SEEK TO DISRUPT & ABOLI% ! F\NDATIONS & 9FRA/RUCTURES ?AT P]PETUATE !SE CONDITIONS & WORK TO CREATE A NEW WORLD 9 ! %ELL ( ! OLD4 

,IT IS MY :OLEHE>T$ DESIRE ?AT WE WILL F9D MORE WAYS TO PROVIDE EA* O!R ) LONG-T]M C>E & WELLNESS SUPPORT 9 ! FACE ( /ATE REPRESSION & 9 ! AFT]MA?1 :5 WE ATTEMPT TO PUT ! PIECES ( \R LIVES BACK TOGE!R SO WE CAN GET UP TO FI<T ANO!R DAY4 ,SUPPORT+ & SU/A9+ LONG-T]M MOVEM5TS ( RESI/ANCE TAKES AN UND]/&+ ( ! DIV]SE WAYS WE >E AFFECT$ BY ! SITUATIONS WE F9D \RSELVES 9 & F9D+ TOOLS & APPROA*ES TO C>E ?AT HELP US MA9TA9 RESILI5CE 9 ! FACE ( P]PETUAL CLASS W> & ONGO+ OPPOSITION4 

,! TOTALITY ( ?IS EXP]I5CE MOTIVAT$ ME TO CONT9UE DEEP5+ MY EXPLORATION ( HEAL+ PRACTICES & EXP&+ MY KN[L$GE ( M$IC9E4 ,IT 9SPIR$ ME TO D$ICATE MYSELF TO /UDY+ ! PSY*OLOGICAL IMPACTS ( TRAUMA1 /RESS1 & GRIEF ON ! N]V\S SY/EM & OV]ALL WELL-BE+ ?AT >E SO DEEPLY TI$ TO \R ID5TITIES & \R EXP]I5CES ( PRIVILEGE & OPPRESSION 9 ?IS WORLD4 ,IT IS MY GOAL TO ACQUIRE ! SKILLS NECESS>Y TO (F] ACCESSIBLE HEAL? C>E TO ?OSE :O NE$ IT MO/ :ILE CONT9U+ TO FOCUS ON BUILD+ LONG-T]M RESILI5CY 9 ! COMMUNITIES ,I 9HABIT4 

,ON BEHALF ( ALL ! ,N#a#e TRIAL DEF5DANTS1 ,I WANT TO GIVE A HUGE %\T \T TO EV]YONE :O WAS !RE = US DUR+ TRIAL4 ,\R HE>TS >E FILL$ ) LOVE & APPRECIATION = ALL \R CO-DEF5DANTS & SUPPORT]S1 \R FRI5DS1 FAMILIES1 P>TN]S1 H\SEMATES1 & COMRADES :O TRAVEL$ TO ,D,C1 :O %[$ UP DAY 9 & DAY \T TO SIT 9 ?AT C\RTROOM 9 DA%+ C\RT ATTIRE1 :O %[$ US UNWAV]+ SUPPORT DUR+ ?OSE SIX LONG & *ALL5G+ WEEKS ( TRIAL4 ,?ANK Y\ = BE+ !RE = US & = REM9D+ US ?AT WE W]E NOT ALONE4 ,WE C\LDN'T HAVE DONE IT )\T ALL ( Y\4 ,?ANKS TO EV]YONE :O TOOK OR TRANSCRIB$ C\RT NOTES1 BR\<T US SNACKS & GAVE US HUGS DUR+ BREAKS1 TOOK US \T = DR9KS1 B\<T US MASSAGES1 & MADE SURE WE HAD FUN :5EV] POSSIBLE4 ,?ANK Y\ TO ! ,BRI<T] ,DAYS ,COLLECTIVE = WALK+ MY DOG = ME EV]Y DAY :ILE ,I WAS 9 C\RT2 TO EV]YONE :O S5T US LETT]S ( 5C\RAGEM5T & C>E PACKAGES FILL$ ) SWEET GIFTS1 H]BS1 T9CTURES1 Z9ES1 & MORE2 TO ?OSE :O W]E WILL+ TO TE/IFY ON \R BEHALF AS *>ACT] WITNESSES2 & TO ?OSE :O HO/$ US ON BREAKS & HELP$ US C>VE \T TIME AWAY FROM ,D,C TO TAKE C>E ( \RSELVES4 ,A V]Y SPECIAL ?ANKS TO ! AMAZ+ HUMANS ( ! ,POTS & ,PANS ,KIT*5 ,COLLECTIVE = PROVID+ US ) ?REE MEALS P] DAY1 EV]Y DAY1 GIV+ US ONE LESS ?+ TO WORRY AB\T2 & = BR++ LUN*ES TO ! C\R?\SE & MAK+ IT EASI] = SUPPORT]S TO CONT9UE TO %[ UP = US BY FE$+ !M AS WELL4 ,?ANKS1 TOO1 TO ANYONE :O HELP$ ,POTS & ,PANS BY P>TICIPAT+ 9 MEAL TRA9S1 & TO ANYONE ELSE WE MAY HAVE =GOTT54 ,WE ALSO WANT TO EXT5D ! UTMO/ GRATITUDE TO \R 9CR$IBLY D$ICAT$ & H>D-WORK+ TEAM ( LAWY]S2 )\T !M NONE ( US W\LD BE H]E TO TELL ! /ORY ( \R SUCCESS4 ,WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE EA* & EV]Y ONE ( Y\6 

,9 CLOS+1 ,I WANT TO %>E A POEM ,I WROTE ON ! ONE-YE> ANNIV]S>Y ( ,J#b4 ,?IS POEM WAS WRITT5 TO ALL ( MY CO-DEF5DANTS & SPECIFICALLY TO ! #ei DEF5DANTS :O W]E /ILL FAC+ *>GES AFT] ! MAJORITY ( ! CASES W]E DISMISS$4 ,AT ! TWO-YE> ANNIV]S>Y1 ,I AM SO RELIEV$ TO SAY WE NO LONG] HAVE ANYONE FAC+ *>GES FROM ?AT DAY1 NONE ( US >E 9 PRISON1 & ,I /ILL FEEL AS DEEP A CONNECTION TO !SE COMRADES AS ,I DID :5 ,I ORIG9ALLY WROTE ?IS4 

,ONE ,YE> ,AGO ,TODAY 

  

A LOVE POEM TO MY CO-DEF5DANTS  
  

ONE YE> AGO TODAY1 

 ALL ( US W]E 9 WA%+TON DC4  

 WE TOOK TO ! /REETS TO DISRUPT ! 9AUGURATION ( DONALD TRUMP4  

 WE /OOD TOGE!R 9 SOLID>ITY ) EA* O!R & EV]Y P]SON :O IS OPPRESS$1  

 EV]Y P]SON :O IS FAC$ ) LIV+ 9 A WORLD :]E PR(IT & HATE DOM9ATE4  

 WE CAME TOGE!R1  

 FROM EV]Y CORN] ( !SE SO-CALL$ UNIT$ /ATES  

 TO OPPOSE ?IS NEO-FASCI/ REGIME1  

 TO OPPOSE ?IS PRESID5T1  

 & ALL PRESID5TS1  

 TO OPPOSE ALL =MS ( HI]>*Y & MANIPULATIONS ( P[]4  

 TO %[ \R /R5G?1  

 TO /& UP1  

 ALONGSIDE ONE ANO!R1  

TOGE!R4 

 TO %[ \R RESI/ANCE1  

 \R COMMITM5T TO ! /RUGGLE = \R LIVES1  

 = ALL LIFE4  

 TO FI<T = A WORLD WOR? LIV+ 94 

ONE YE> AGO TODAY1 

 MANY ( US MET EA* O!R = ! FIR/ TIME4  

 WE DIDN'T KN[ EA* O!R'S NAMES1  

 YET WE KNEW WE W]E ON ! SAME TEAM4  

 BLACK CLAD W>RIORS  

 /&+ TOGE!R  

 5GAG$ 9 A CLASS W>1  

 9 A SOCIAL W>4  

 A W> ON W>4  

 WE SW>M$ ! CITY ) \R HE>TS AS \R COMPASS4  

 WE MADE \R MESSAGES KN[N4  

 WE EMBRAC$ A DIV]SITY ( TACTICS  

 GUID$ BY ! SAME PR9CIPLES  

 ( UNITY1  

 ( SOLID>ITY1  

 ( RESI/ANCE4 

ONE YE> AGO TODAY1 

 WE SET ! CITY ABLAZE4  

 WE DISRUPT$ ! 9AUGURATION1  

 WE DISRUPT$ ! FL[ ( CAPITAL1  

 WE DISRUPT$ ! ILLUSION ( NORMALCY4  

 WE F\<T BACK AGA9/ CORRUPTION1 GRE$1 & VIOL5CE4  

 WE F\<T BACK AGA9/ ! CO]CIVE P[] /RUCTURES  

 ?AT ATTEMPT TO DICTATE H[ WE LIVE \R LIVES4  

 WE %[$ ! WORLD ?AT WE W]E A ?REAT TO ! /ATUS QUO4  

 WE %[$ ! WORLD ?AT WE W\LD NOT BACK D[N4  

 WE %[$ ! WORLD ?AT WE >E NOT AFRAID4  

 WE %[$ ! WORLD ?AT WE >E UNGOV]NABLE4 

ONE YE> AGO TODAY1 

 WE W]E MET ) =CE4  

 ! P[]S ?AT BE ATTEMPT$ TO /IFLE \R DISS5T4  

 !Y ATTEMPT$ TO %UT US D[N1  

 TO SIL5CE US4  

 BECAUSE !Y KNEW WE W]E A ?REAT4  

 !Y KNEW WE HAD ! POT5TIAL TO MAKE *ANGE4  

 SO !Y ATTACK$ US ) !IR WEAPONS1  

 !Y BRUTALIZ$ US1  

 !Y SURR\ND$ US1 &  

 !Y TRAPP$ US4  

 !Y >RE/$ US1  

 & !Y ?REW US 9 CAGES1  

 BECAUSE !Y DIDN'T KN[ :AT ELSE TO DO ) US4  

 !Y MAY HAVE /OPP$ US1 SL[$ US D[N1  

 BUT !Y DID NOT BREAK US4  

 !Y DID NOT DEFEAT US4 

ONE YE> AGO TODAY1 

 & 9 ! DAYS & MON?S ?AT FOLL[$1  

 WE W]E ALL *>G$ ) FELONIES4  

 FELONIES ?AT ?REAT5$ US  

 ) MORE TIME BEH9D B>S  

 ?AN ANY ( US HAS SP5T LIV+4  

 FELONIES ?AT PUT \R LIVES ON HOLD1  

 ?AT W]E HELD OV] \R HEADS1  

 & ALT]$ \R ABILITY TO HAVE CONTROL  

 OV] H[ WE SP5D \R TIME4 

WE SP5T ! NEXT #cfe DAYS  

 5DUR+ ! PUNI%M5T1  

 ! PUNI%M5T 9 ! PROCESS  

 ( ! CRIM9AL 9JU/ICE SY/EM4 

WE ALSO SP5T ?OSE #cfe DAYS  

 9VE/+ \R TIME & \R 5]GY  

9 EA* O!R4 

 WE COMMITT$ \RSELVES TO ! ONGO+ BATTLE  

 = FRE$OM1  

 = EV]YONE4  

 WE COMMITT$ \RSELVES TO SUPPORT+ ONE ANO!R1  

 TO %>+ 9=MATION & RES\RCES1  

 TO BUILD+ \R NETWORKS1  

 TO EXP&+ \R COMMUNITIES1  

 TO /R5G!N+ \R CONVICTIONS1  

 TO CONT9U+ TO /RUGGLE  

 AGA9/ ! /ATE1  

 AGA9/ /ATE REPRESSION1  

 AGA9/ ALL =MS ( OPPRESSION2  

 AGA9/ ! SIL5C+ ( \R VOICES1  

 AGA9/ ! WEAK5+ ( \R MOVEM5T4  

 WE COMMITT$ \RSELVES  

 TO CONT9U+ TO /RUGGLE  

 AGA9/ ?AT :I* SEEKS TO DE/ROY ALL ?AT IS WOR? LIV+ =4 

ONE YE> AGO TODAY1 

 & 9 ! DAYS & MON?S ?AT FOLL[$1  

 WE CREAT$ SOME?+ BEAUTIFUL4  

 WE =M$ A COLLECTIVE ( /RONG1 RESILI5T PEOPLE  

 D$ICAT$ TO RESI/ANCE1  

 D$ICAT$ TO FI<T+ !SE *>GES TOO? & NAIL4  

 D$ICAT$ TO EA* O!R4 

ONE YE> AGO TODAY1 

 I F\ND SOME ( ! BRAVE/ PEOPLE I KN[4  

ONE YE> AGO TODAY1 

 I F\ND /R5G? AMONG PEOPLE :OM I TRULY ADMIRE4  

ONE YE> AGO TODAY1 

 I F\ND OV] #b ( MY NEW BE/ FRI5DS4  

 MY GREATE/ COMRADES4  

ONE YE> AGO TODAY1 

 WE F\ND EA* O!R4  

& ONE YE> LAT]1 

 WE HAVE NOT LO/ ONE ANO!R4 

:ILE MANY ( US >E NO LONG] FAC+ *>GES1  

 MANY ( US /ILL >E4  

 & AS WE GO 9TO ! NEXT YE> ( ?IS BATTLE  

 WE REMA9 /&+1 SIDE-BY-SIDE4 

WE >E ALL 9 ?IS TOGE!R4 

 & WE >E NOT GO+ ANY:]E  

UNTIL ALL ( US >E FREE4 

TO ! REMA9+ ,J#b DEF5DANTS1  

 I WANT Y\ ALL TO KN[--  

Y\ >E NOT 9 ?IS ALONE4 

Y\ WILL NOT BE =GOTT54 Y\ >E SE54 

 & Y\ >E LOV$4 

 & Y\ >E IMPORTANT4 

 & WE WILL GET ?R\< ?IS1  

TOGE!R1 

NO MATT] :AT HAPP5S NEXT4 

) 5DLESS LOVE & RAGE1 

 ,XX  
  

7,S\RCE3 ,RETRIEV$ ON #b#i? ,OCTOB] #bb FROM CRIME?9C4COM47 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #a#d1 #bbb 3 ,I ,WAS A ,J#b ,/REET ,M$IC & ,DEF5DANT -- ,ADD$4 

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