No Slaves, No Tyrants

These words are not just a call to reject oppression, but a challenge to the structures that have always sought to impose their will on others. Imperialism, in its many forms, is a persistent force—a belief that power gives the right to dominate, to subjugate, to erase the autonomy of others. It is an ancient impulse, but one that is still alive in the modern world, where the reach of empires is measured in military presence, economic influence, and political manipulation.

At its core, imperialism is the denial of self-determination. It says that some are entitled to decide the fate of others, that borders are negotiable when convenience or desire demands it. It treats nations, peoples, and cultures as mere pawns to be moved, consumed, and controlled. And when imperialism shows its face, it brings with it the crushing weight of tyranny—the force of a system that denies people the freedom to make choices about their own lives, to speak their own truth, to live with dignity.

In the struggle against imperialism, there is always a refusal to accept this narrative. There is the recognition that no one, no matter how powerful, has the right to impose their will on another. Whether through violence, manipulation, or economic control, imperialism seeks to strip away the very essence of what it means to be free. But freedom cannot be stolen—it can only be suppressed temporarily, because those who stand against it will not be silenced.

This is the essence of resistance: the belief that every person, every community, has the right to live without fear of domination. The belief that, no matter the odds, no empire, no tyrant can ever fully erase the will of a people who refuse to be enslaved. The struggle against imperialism is the struggle for sovereignty, for the right to determine one’s own future.