Hello Rockstars!
In this article I talk to organization Wings of Freedom about their beginnings, the possible ramifications of ICE in the community, goals for the future and what went down with metro officers at the protest on August 23rd.
Here’s their own story in their own words, enjoy! 🙂
VMS:
I wanted to say thank you guys so much for putting together such a wonderful protest! I was so impressed by the hard work and dedication you put into planning everything. Can you tell me a brief history of your organization, and what inspired you to create Wings of Freedom.Â
Wings of Freedom:
Wings of Freedom was made very recently and went without a name for a couple of weeks perhaps a month now. We were inspired by punks and the monarch butterfly and its symbolism for immigrants, freedom, and we thought it would be cool!
We saw multiple grassroots organizations in the area but rather than join one we opted out for working with them and making our own. We were also heavily upset about PSL working with cops and ratting people out for anything to them and we wanted change and more alt people would join movements like this. A big inspiration for us is MLK and we are intending on exhausting all peaceful options for change while we still can.Â
VMS:
What are the biggest goals you want to accomplish for this organization.Â
Wings of Freedom:
Our biggest goals are rights for all, mutual aid, and building a community.
VMS:
Can you tell in more detail what happened with metro officers during the protest, because it was going very well, but then it started to get awkward. I saw them get very aggressive with you guys, what did they say and why did it escalate so fast?
Wings of Freedom:
We have a few videos (one with the most information waiting to be released if we are given permission) but essentially they got upset at us for going up to the bridge and told us we needed to move and couldn’t stand around. We found middle ground.
They said we were allowed to chant and walk around but they rushed to our comrades to yell at them about not moving. We tried to tell them we’d move but they went on to harass the girl with the wagon drinking water and packing up her stuff.
The boy in the wheelchair started recording and asking what law they were breaking then ended up getting arrested as well. If we remember correctly the cop said “you have five seconds to move” to them and then it got out of hand quickly as the arrests began. The officer repeatedly shouted he didn’t care when the person in the wheelchair asked questions and was pleading to not be arrested.
VMS:
Is there anything specific you guys would like to talk about, or explain to people to get them to better understand the importance of your organization.
Wings of Freedom:
Change does not come from reposting a video every once in a while. Change does not come from ignoring problems. Change will never come if people mentally check out and do nothing. Our organization is crucial to getting people to wake up from the apathetic state of mind they’ve been forced into.
Multiple people in history have used protesting to spread awareness to show people what to actually do to make change. People shout revolution but aren’t awake to actually contribute, don’t know HOW to contribute, or haven’t built any community to try to get to that level.Â
VMS:
I know when it comes to ICE and immigration everyone is incredibly divided, but what would you like to tell people to maybe help them understand your side of the story and also about everything that is going on right now, what the potential long term ramifications could be for the future of Las Vegas and it’s citizens.
Wings of Freedom:
We have many POCs in our team that are fully aware of where this will go. We fear it might reach death camps and constant surveillance along with the average person being poor and starving. The potential ramifications will of course be bad economy, racism involving raping + killing brown people (as done in times of slavery), and people white or brown will lose their rights for basic things. The future isn’t very bright right now, so we encourage people to dig until we reach the end of the tunnel and find the light. If people work together the future will be better.
VMS:
What are the future plans for your protests and everything else that you guys do.
How can people help you out in the fight against ICE.Â
Wings of Freedom:
People can help by voting, protesting, doing mutual aid (classes for anything from sewing, cooking, gardening, learning history, providing food, etc.), expressing their creativity, and getting connected with their neighbors/community. Just small things like having a conversation and helping each other out will help build a community slowly.
What we want people to do to help against ICE is we want mostly white folks to get in the way and be annoying or try to stop them from wrongfully taking people for being brown. Since they are privileged they should be at the front to protect POCs. This isn’t to say POCs can’t get involved either if they are smart and willing to do the same as them then they should! Everyone should join the fight in some way. Sit ins, marches, boycotting, and mutual aid.
VMS:
What are some ways you could help encourage people to get out and protest, or stick up for their fellow man when they see something horrible in their community. I feel many people might be too scared, but what would you like to tell that person who feels like they don’t have a voice.Â
Wings of Freedom:
If you are scared we understand. It is not easy at all to get out there and do something, but you must realize if you truly want change you need to do something. Your community (us) will have your back. We will do everything in our power to help you if you join us. We have reworked a famous poem to fit this situation better and the things that have happened in America or involving America in the past 50+ years:Â
First they came for people of color
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a person of color
Then they came for disabled people
And I did not speak outÂ
Because I was not disabled
Then they came for immigrantsÂ
And I did not speak outÂ
Because I was not an immigrantÂ
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for meÂ
VMS:
“Do you have any personal experiences you would like to talk about, anything that has personally affected your life or the lives around people you know.”
Wings of Freedom:
Some of the people in our lives have mentally checked out since they have lived in fear their whole lives. They don’t believe it’ll be any different than the past 20+ years.
K:Â Personally, despite living in fear all my life for being brown, I am more scared than ever. I worry for family members, friends, and everyone in general.
We have spent many sleepless nights and plenty of days crying worried to death of what could happen if anyone is taken. Ever since the pictures of the prison in El Salvador of them having a strange stain on the floor and a mound of flesh next to it our group realized we needed to act.
We don’t know where some of these people are being taken and even when we do know, we know the conditions they’re put in are inhumane.Â
VMS:
If there is one huge thing you want everyone to understand about you guys and your organization what would that be.
Wings of Freedom:
We fucking hate PSL and anybody that rats out protesters or works with cops. Also, we hate posers. You can’t be a punk or alt if you won’t get down like that for things the people that started the movement were against. No racism, misogyny, transphobia, homophobia, or billionaires will be tolerated in our America.
For More Information about Wings of Freedom and how you can help, please visit their Instagram.
—-VMS.