ONE BILLION RISING 2025 :
Rise For FREEDOM , Rise Against FASCISM
So much has changed in the last fourteen years . But it feels like little has changed . We have much more voice , a sense of our bodies and of ourselves . Yet at the same time , our rights are completely being undermined and eradicated . These two currents are going on simultaneously . We have powerful social movements and the strength of global solidarity - as we are also witnessing the escalation of late -stage patriarchy , which is increasingly getting more desperate and maniacal .
How does this manifest in countries all over the world ? Although it may take on different forms , it looks the same . And the word is fascism .
We know the definition of fascism as “ a far right , authoritarian , ultra nationalist , political ideology and movement characterized by a dictatorial leader , centralized autocracy , militarism , and forcible suppression of opposition ”. But it could also mean anywhere where one group that perceives itself to be more superior or entitled dominates another . And it can manifest itself differently . In white supremacy , male supremacy , health supremacy . In religious control , the suppression and eradication of all women ’ s rights , the criminalization of freedom of speech and removal of safe spaces for all women . In rising poverty , racism , violence against trans and gender expansive people , inequality , exclusion , disinformation and media bias . In wars , occupations , militarism , ultranationalism , anti-immigration , in the political oppression of activists , dictatorships , in the legislation and execution of genocide in broad daylight without any real repercussions , everywhere where we are building walls and keeping people out , then demonizing them as they flee from wars and the climate catastrophe created by imperialist plunder and greed . And anywhere there is a rise of the strong man , autocratic , one single rule which is suppressing the majority of the people . And finally , in the destruction of the Earth – the relentless drilling , fracking , mining and deregulating of anything that protects the earth – and the militarism and extreme violence wrought upon the livelihood and traditions of the people , particularly the indigenous people because of it . As the world gets hotter , as the world gets poorer , as more and more people suffer , as capitalism demolishes the planet , more and more people are left out , abandoned , killed , abused , forced to become refugees and migrants .
We are seeing this everywhere . The last gasp of patriarchy which knows its days are numbered , but may take us all out if we do not rise and take action .
How do we escalate our risings now to be a powerful force against the devastation happening in the world today – the rise of fascism - and how all of this affects women in particular ? Where the grievous hold of empire , as well as colonialist and capitalist enslavement have caused unimaginable wreckage . An era of the gravest suppression and oppression of women we have seen in our lifetimes . – women being forgotten , buried alive , sold , killed , damaged , consumed . It is beyond gender apartheid . It is the destruction of women ’ s freedom , livelihood and bodies .
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