[VID] Activist Liv Romano Calls for Self-Defense After Protest Arrest
"Wake up, get angry, and defend yourselves"
(Photo by Mary Annette Pember of Indian Country Today)
Activist Liv Romano sat down with Deconstructing Consent early this week after being arrested Friday at protests of the Biden Administration’s climate crisis accelerationism. The full video conversation is embedded below.
Romano not only discusses the latest with her case but also what motivated her to go to the indigenous-led protests to begin with. After saying she saw reports of indigenous water protectors being illegally arrested and otherwise abused by police, Romano tells us that she felt afraid but also duty-bound to head to the nation’s capital in order to offer some semblance of protection for the people championing a cause she is committed to herself.
“I was going to defend and protect the indigenous water protectors and allies that were getting illegally arrested for peacefully protesting. I made that decision myself based on the violence I was seeing that was being perpetuated by the police against these peaceful protestors,” Romano explains.
“I was definitely scared and I knew going into it, fuck, if I’m getting arrested for peacefully protesting I’m getting arrested for fucking defending myself. I’m going to make a point because they’ve already made it clear they’re going to arrest, they’re going to brutalize us.
“So, when are we going to say, enough is enough, we are fighting back, we are defending ourselves…when are we going to take that stand? To me, we’re at that point. The time is now. I encourage y’all to wake up, get angry, and defend yourselves.”
Watch the full interview to learn more from Romano about what’s next for her, including a brand new show she’s hosting for the Populist Voice network, as well as why she believes activism is good for one’s mental health.