Sort of scraping together $800, going to Syria, and picking up a rifle (which I can’t do on account of my skeleton is all fucked up), there’s really not diddly shit we can do that will actually help the Kurds beyond the usual “call your representatives” crap. And I can’t even tell you how frustrating that is.
Some options if you have the time and energy:
Go to one of the demonstrations that are being organized, for example:
- NYC (today!) https://antifainternational.tumblr.com/post/170048968119/alerta-alerta-nyc-antifascista-friday
- Amsterdam (tomorrow!): http://queeranarchism.tumblr.com/post/170122882733/antifainternational-landelijke-demonstratie
- London (tomorrow!) https://antifainternational.tumblr.com/post/170118656294/afrin-is-not-alone-the-racist-turkish-state-has
Reach out to the organisers and offer to help in the future. Manifestations need poster-designers, cooks, legal teams, first aid teams, traffic coordinators, people who hand out food and drinks, sleeping places, music performers, people prepared to be on site at 6 am to check stuff, stage builders, etc etc. There is probably some skill you have that is needed.
Google for Kurdish refugee groups in your area and ask if they are planning any manifestations and could use some help. In some places in Europe Kurdish groups are anxious to make themselves heard but worry about attacks from pro-Erdogan groups. Solidarity groups could offer protection so they can organize safely. If you’re involved inn any other kinds of activism, chances are you could also help mobilize a large audience for the manifestations.
Make yourself heard at the Turkish embassy. Hold a manifestation, put up some posters, smash a window, spray some graffitti. Choose your methods to meet your protest style.
Distribute information. Through posters, stickers, blogs, songs, movies, meetings, social media, anything.
Voice your disapproval of media (especially smaller local media that usually get ignored but still reach large audiences) that ignore or misrepresent what is happening.
… there are more options but these are what I could think of so far.
Finally: accept your limits. If your energy levels do not allow you to do anything but make a phone call, be proud of yourself for doing even that. There is so much injustice happening at the same time, you can destroy yourself if you try to fight it all at the same time. Take a step back. Direct your anger at the ones doing the injustice, not at your own limits. You matter and your limits matter.
QueerAnarchism 