People Power United honors a freedom fighter
A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with freedom. - Bob Dylan
When I look at this photo of Aleksei Navalny leading protestors along a street in Moscow in 2017, I try to imagine what they must have been thinking.
For our children, wives, and husbands.
For our mothers, fathers, and grandparents.
For people experiencing poverty and all who hunger or sleep on the street.
For our soldiers fighting in lands far away.
For the sick and the dying.
For everyone living in fear.
Yes, a mighty force in the world seeks to oppress our freedoms. Our ability to peacefully demonstrate and limit our freedom of speech against those we disagree with.
But there is also a mighty force that seeks to empower us.
Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and be afforded housing, healthcare, and education. Regardless of whether you have a job or not. Regardless of your age, race, sex, or religion.
I see that in this photo.
Sadly, we learned that Aleksei Navalny died this week in a Russian prison.1 Navalny stood up to Putin and championed power to the people. He once said, "The People's Alliance is my party."2 When Navalny returned to Russia in 2021, he most likely knew that he would be jailed and possibly face death. As a father, son, and grassroots leader, he understood that a community's rights and freedom were worth fighting for.
Navalny wrote from prison "I don't want to give up either my country or my beliefs. I cannot betray either the first or the second. If your beliefs are worth something, you must be willing to stand up for them. And if necessary, make some sacrifices." 3
Navalny believed that the day we give up holding our leaders accountable, we forfeit freedom and embrace fascism.
Sometimes, I will get an email from someone saying they don't want to call or write their lawmaker because they won't respond or do anything or fear retribution. It is my belief, then, that by doing nothing, we are empowering and validating these corrupt politicians. We must hold our leaders accountable and continue to advocate for our rights and freedoms.
In honor of Navalny and all freedom fighters in Russia, we must speak out against the rise of fascism and anyone who encourages Putin's power at home or abroad.
Today’s Calls-to-Action
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Everyone deserves to vote and thrive,
Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
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I believe in the power of the people. People Power United members believe in the possibility of change and work to make it happen. I have seen the love and determination of folks stepping up to write letters and postcards to voters, signing petitions and letter campaigns, making calls, sending texts, hitting doors, and dropping literature. There is no power like that of the people, and People Power United stands ready to protect our communities against any and all injustices. - Laurie Woodward Garcia, People Power United
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https://apnews.com/article/russia-alexei-navalny-death-opposition-leader-37da0915157576372d6493be7ad04b5c?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexei_Navalny
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/17/world/europe/why-navalny-returned-to-russia.html?unlocked_article_code=1.WU0.tGb2.KEJvIkwSRn5J&smid=url-share
Photo credit: By Evgeny Feldman - This photo was taken with Canon EOS-1D X, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57520772
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