Song has played a pivotal role in resisting authoritarianism across cultures and throughout history, and it can provide the heartbeat of our movement today. In the context of escalating violence towards our communities, we sing because song is an antidote to fear, song helps us connect to ourselves and each other, and through song we can name and protect what we hold sacred. We sing publicly in the streets to refuse cooperation with the autocrats and billionaires who are pillaging our Earth and trying to silence our voices while lining their pockets.

Through singing and action we can embody what we are fighting for, in the here and now: beloved communities of strong ties, coming together in defense of life, where all are loved and cared for. We live in a widespread culture of isolation and violence and if we are going to survive, we must bring a new culture into being—one of deep belonging and solidarity with all life. We are singing for a future in which all people—Black, Brown, Indigenous, immigrant, trans, queer, disabled, poor—and the Earth are safe and sovereign.