The goal is to bring awareness to who really hold the power: the people. The very ones they demonize are the ones who made us a donor state. Shake the thin foundations of hate, of fascism and make it known where the funds for their agenda comes from.  

This petition is asking for California to secede from the Union of the United States. Even in failure it can send a message. We alone are the 9th richest economy in the world. We are a donor state, meaning we see fewer of our tax dollars than the rest of the nation. We keep the lights on in this country. It is our taxes that fund genocide, that fund ice raids, that help push the rhetoric of those who vote for polices to their own detriment. 

We are deserving of respect, of opportunity, of autonomy. We deserve to walk the streets without fear of being detained and trafficked by ice, we deserve a national guard used to protect and not to threaten, we deserve our federal government’s aid to save us during natural disasters regardless of who we boycott.    

The revolution will not be televised, the news will not tell you when to act. Although our country is far too large for a revolution like Nepal’s, stagnation means death. We must start somewhere, so why not now?

I for one am tired. Tired of large corporations having more power than my vote, of the rising cost of living, tired of seeing the growing quantity of tents because “we don’t have enough money” whilst concentration camps are being erected, tired for the world my generation must inherit. And it’s absolutely crazy that calling an ambulance is considered a threat.

 I don’t care if we have differing values because it was never about you versus me, but rather you and me versus the problem. So I ask you to join me, because it’s up to you when you ask “is it my turn?” It’s in regards to taking a stand rather than getting in line for the next camp.

The United States is an Empire. Statistically empires only last 250 years. My fellow Californian, welcome to year 249. So I ask you to lend me your voices, it is our responsibility as a generation to hold each other accountable in our education, history, and power. What does freedom look like to you, what does it cost, and what are you willing to do for it? We must define it for ourselves, because the outdated model given to use by our nation is no longer working. 

We have power, we have information and connection at our fingertips, we have each other. We are not helpless. 

Together, let's make it great. 

(If you're an artist don’t you think it could be cool to make flag concept art?)