Trespass

October marks Youth Justice Action Month, a time of both celebration and reflection. This month, we remember the generations of fearless young people that came before us, and commit ourselves to the future leaders of our movement. 

Established in 2007, this month serves as a time to reflect on the impact our systems are having on our youth. Young people disproportionately experience the injustices of our political and legal systems. From mass incarceration to mass shootings, we are living with the greedy choices of our policymakers. But we are fighting back. In the last decade, youth organizers have showed up: at our schools, at the polls, at protests. We are taking up space in every corner of our country to tell those in power that we deserve better. 

Young people have long been the catalyst for movements, and yet, we are often silenced and patronized. We are the ones who will face the consequences of our leaders’ actions, and we cannot let them diminish our importance in politics and law. We will not be silenced nor ignored. Rooted in the lessons of our elders, we must uplift our youngest voices and encourage them to take significant roles in our movements. Because it is the youngest voices that will become the strongest, and their visions that will turn into action. 

At a time when injustice feels common and youth advocacy feels more polarizing than the actions of our leaders, we must be steadfast in our commitment to creating a better tomorrow; for ourselves, our community members, and the generations of tomorrow. To our youth organizers: this is your moment. Take up space, be bold, be unapologetic. Our fearlessness is endless, our vision of tomorrow is radical, and our love is transcendent.