There is a point at which we must look at the state of America and think for ourselves how we can change the way that the government acts. Time and time again, we have seen that the Trump administration will not back down. Authoritarianism has been, and always will be, the stance of Trumpism and other far-right extremism. What Donald Trump wants, Donald Trump will get. We have seen it happen already in America with the Jan. 6 riots on the U.S. Capitol. If Democrats sweep the elections or take one chamber of Congress, Trump could mobilize his supporters to fight the results as he did on Jan. 6.

Just recently — on March 28, 2026 — No Kings Day protests were widespread throughout the United States, and the same happened in October 2025. However, there is one thing that I found disappointing. Rather than having revolutionary results, the protests resulted in multiple videos of people dressing up as frogs, or singing kumbaya, hoping that ICE agents would miraculously come join their protests if they sang to them, leaving little government action to take place.

I proudly participated in two protests recently held in February, organized by the recently-formed University Students for Change. I vehemently support the stances of abolishing ICE, liberating immigrants who have no criminal background, liberation for Palestine, etc. I do see the bravery of marching four long, foot-aching miles across San Antonio, yet I find it naive to march up Northrup Hall, chanting while running up the stairs, “It is okay to change your mind, and you can join us. Join us anytime!” repeatedly. These peaceful demonstrations are inspiring in nature. I see why people still utilize this type of demonstration because of its historic context and its success during the Civil Rights movement. Martin Luther King Jr. was, and still is, a profound and prominent figure in the advocacy for peaceful and civil disobedience. I know that people fear going further than having civil protests on the street. However, there must be a point at which we say enough is enough, and we mean enough.

I read a speech written by Malcolm X in “Politics and Morality” in the fall semester of this academic year. Malcolm X said that, during the time, black people had the right to use their Second Amendment to defend themselves from racism and racist action on their property and their body, stating, “that doesn’t mean that he should use arms to initiate acts of aggression but if it costs me my life in the morning, I will tell you tonight that the time has come for the black man to die fighting if he’s going to die, die fighting.” I call this justified violence, which I define as using violence to defend yourself and others from social and physical harm, personal or institutional. Malcolm X goes on to cite the assassination of civil rights leader Medgar Evers and the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. He asks if we should continue turning the other cheek on these incidents and hoping for the best with peaceful demonstration, despite violence causing people to even say something in the first place.

With that, I must ask you this: Will we continue to turn the other cheek when it comes to the killing of Alex Pretti and Renee Good? Will we continue to turn the cheek of kids being kidnapped off the street by ICE agents in plain civilian clothes? Will we continue to turn the cheek when it comes to undocumented immigrants dying in detention centers or eating rotting food or lacking basic healthcare? Will we continue to turn the other cheek when Black and Brown transgender people are being targeted actively on the streets based simply on how they look, how they dress and how they present themselves in society? Will we continue to turn the other cheek on gay marriage being under attack? Will we continue to turn the other cheek when it comes to women’s rights and their right to their reproductive health? Will we continue to turn the other cheek when it comes to democratic backsliding of America? While I applaud those who advocate for peace, I do not think peace is going to be enough, nor will it ever be enough. Surely, people will take offense or concern with my opinion on this. However, justified violence must happen when it comes to fighting authoritarianism. Who knows when Trump will order officers to shoot protesters indiscriminately? One day it could happen, and we must prepare somehow.