On this Veterans Day, we say NO

This Veterans Day feels different (because it is)

I’m a former cancer research scientist and anti imperialist veteran. I’m also running for Congress in Illinois’ 13th district to change the system, because the system is broken. It doesn’t work for working people.

This system takes away healthcare to give tax cuts to billionaires. This system provides weapons to a country openly committing a genocide. This system starts endless wars for imperialist gain.

Today, we said no to endless wars. We said no to ICE in our streets. We said no to the constant attacks on veterans who risked their lives for this country.

I’ve served in the Illinois Army National Guard for almost 13 years, including five years on active duty. In Afghanistan, I advised Afghan medical leaders and worked alongside a Golden Hour Offset Surgical Team to save lives. In Germany, I worked alongside some of the top US and NATO military planners, as we supported Ukraine and wrote NATO war plans.

This year, President Trump has openly threatened our cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland. In response, I made a series of videos asking military service members to remember their oath to the constitution and to the American people.

I asked Soldiers to disobey any future unlawful orders, as they are required to do. In response, the military suspended my security clearance and launched a 15-6 investigation.

This isn’t normal. This is political persecution, because I spoke out against our fascist government. Since then, I’ve continued to speak out, because I believe in standing up for what’s right.

I will not be used as a pawn and deployed against my community. I will not assist Trump’s Gestapo, known as ICE, as they rip our community members from the streets.

What do we do now?

Make no mistake, the time to stand up is now.

We’re running out of time, America. There are no guardrails for what’s left of our democracy. Every day, the far-right extremists in power get bolder and bolder.

White Christian nationalists and billionaires continue to enact their vision of the future, but I say no to their future.

America is for the workers, not the billionaires. America is for all people, regardless of your race, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or the color of your skin.

It’s on us to protect our neighbors. We can’t sit back and expect someone will do it for us. It’s on us to stand up to fascism. We cannot give up our rights in advance.

It’s on us to convince Congress to kick our fascist President out of the White House.

This has gone on for long enough. It’s time to take our country back.

Thanks for reading! I will continue to post at least one article per week.