16 years ago I participated in my first direct action, walking out of class as an 8th grader in protest of the #IraqWar.
A brave teacher who helped us organize the walkout gathered us in her classroom. She advised us to carry US flags as we marched. The opposition was carrying this violence out in the US' name, she said. #IraqWar
We had to show the world that there were US citizens who were against the war, that the US stood for more than invasion and occupation. #IraqWar
We huddled up after she left (she couldn't be there when we walked out for legal reasons) and made the collective decision that we would not carry US flags. We decided together--as 13 and 14 year olds--that the US flag stood inherently for invasion and occupation... #IraqWar
...not just for Iraqis, but for many of our own people as well. We decided it was a symbol that could not be reclaimed, that in fact signified everything against which we were marching. #IraqWar
I learned student power, youth power, and the value of disruption that day. I learned to trust the people to make their own decisions, have their own analysis, and to always fight with honesty before idealism. #IraqWar
I still remember the students I walked out with. I hope we are all still fighting. #IraqWar
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