Dirt Witch Records

It has to be said, first and foremost, that ICE must be abolished immediately. ICE has been a bludgeon at America’s foundational values since its inception, but under Trump’s reign it had become a de-facto gestapo to be unleashed against anyone non-white and anyone who dares oppose them. Make no mistake, when they are done in Minneapolis they’re coming for you too. Maybe you think you’re safe. Renee Good was not safe. Keith Porter was not safe. The 32 people who died in ICE custody last year were not safe. The numerous unaccounted for detainees are not safe. ICE will tell you to “THINK BEFORE YOU RESIST,” but the consequences of compliance are far more steep.

It has to be said that we got here through compliance. Compliance to an inept and unethical ruling class who built their position on the bones of America’s bloody past. Compliance is death. Compliance is the mind killer. Resistance is your duty to yourself and the only path to a brighter future.

It has to be said that their version of patriotism is built on cowardice. There is nothing strong about being unable to face the dark reality of our history. It only displays ignorance and moral cowardice. We must form a new paradigm for patriotism. A patriotism that loves its neighbors and demands better from its country and countrymen.

It has to be said that America is in trouble, but not for the first time. This country was built upon genocide. This country was built upon slavery. This country was built upon greed, exploitation, cruelty and oppression. Do not say that this is “no longer the country I know,” because history tells us this has always been who we are. We can, and must be better. We must put love before hate. We must demand accountability from our leaders, and from our family, friends, and neighbors. We must demand justice.

It has to be said that getting into a shootout with a highly armed group of feds is a childlike fantasy, not an effective form of resistance. Real life isn’t a movie, and we will not win a gunfight. I am not making a moral judgement on violent resistance, just a tactical one on getting in a shootout with the feds.

It has to be said that we are not alone. You are not alone. Not in your anger, not in your grief. It has to be said that the only way we get through this is together.