Commemorating Martyred Eco-Defender and Wobby Tortuguita

I have never met Tortuguita. But I have their face on my wall. It was a flyer printed for a solidarity protest at AXA, an insurance company implicated in the building of Cop City over Weeluanee Forest.

In life, they were a Forest Defender and a union rep. They lived their life fighting against capitalism and the state. They were a shining light, snuffed out by the terror of the US government. Anarchism has plenty of martyrs, and Tort has risen to stand among them.

Tortuguita was shot 57 times in defence of Weeluanee forest on the 18th Jan 2023. They were protesting the building of a massive police training facility on that land, known colloquially as Cop City. In death, to me, they represent everything I aspire to be.

Tortuguita was a comrade I never met, fighting to free Turtle Island from tyranny. Across these vast oceans, I can only hope that I can live my life as they did. With my feet rooted in the earth and the spirit of solidarity blooming within my heart.

Atlanta solidarity fund https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/contribute-to-the-atlanta-solidarity-fund

Family fund https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-family-of-manuel-tortuguita-paez-teran

Mother’s Venmo: @Belkis-Teran

Mother’s Zelle: belkisteran@hotmail.com

If your heart is free, the land you stand on is liberated territory. Defend it!