Hail To Our Heroes

This is a time for heroes, a time for bravery.

The International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-determination and Liberation (IPMSDL) joins the indigenous Karen in their celebration of Karen Martyr’s Day and all the indigenous Manipuri people in commemorating Patriot’s Day.

On the historic August 12, we honor Saw Ba U Gyi, the founder of the Karen National Union, and all the Karen heroes and martyrs who have dedicated their lives to the fight for self-determination, ancestral land and freedom. We also pay our respects with calls for justice for the Karen men and women murdered and extrajudicially killed by the fascist Myanmar army. The current military coup and an epidemic of repression are of utmost disrespect to the memory of the Karen defenders that only fan the flame of struggle.

On August 13, the Manipuri people commemorate the patriotism of the Anglo-Manipuri War heroes who laid down their lives in defense of their land and peoples against the British Empire. In 1891, the British colonizers, with overwhelming numbers and fire power, occupied the kingdom of Manipur seizing any sovereign power. The bloody war, that caused the death of vast innocent people, including women and children, was also the time of valiant Manipuri commanders who were hanged in public after choosing death over surrendering the sovereignty of their motherland.

On these two occasions amid the ravaging pandemic, the Karen, the Manipuri peoples with all their allies gather to relive history, draw lessons, and offer prayers and flowers. Although symbolic, these gestures are powerful reminders of a self-determined nation, selfless leaders and courageous struggles dedicated to the interest of the people. While many of our fellow indigenous defenders continue to fall in the hands of state terrorism and fascist regimes, let us pledge to carry on their work until justice is served.

To relive our heroes’ legacy is to pursue their fight and respond to the call of the times: to dispense all fears and muster our ranks in defense of peoples’ rights, land, life and freedom; to uncompromisingly stand against modern forms of colonization and foreign incursions of our territories, resources and sovereignty; and to be in service of our indigenous communities, the marginalized and oppressed.

Long live Karen Martyr’s Day!

Long live Manipur Patriot’s Day!

Justice for all the victims of extrajudicial killings and state-terror!

Long live international solidarity!

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