#NoDAPL
I started this painting when I learned that the Army Corp of Engineers granted the final approval of the DAPL construction even though they agreed to reroute under Obama. I felt so powerless for the fact that after all that struggles, we still couldn't stop the government from choosing pipeline over human beings. That night, I was overwhelmed by sadness and anger to the point that I could not fall a sleep. So I started painting, it took me two weeks but I finally finished it last night. In a few hours today, the "law enforcement" will raid the DAPL protester camps and arrest anyone who attempt to remain. My heart goes to all the protester at the camp and I hope no one get hurts :( I really hate this feeling of powerlessness and I wish I could do something more than just press down the angry button on Facebook.
Even though mass protest and pressure the investment banks didn't move the needle, there's still have some fight left. Standing Rock is still taking this to court. So they would still need all the support they can get. Donate for legal fee, sign the petition, go out and mobilize, write or call your senator, most importantly remain hopeful.
People always ask me why do I care about DAPL when I'm not Native American nor affected by DAPL. Here's why, the vice documentary about DAPL really touched my heart. Issues surrounding DAPL is not just about environmental hazards and environmental injustice but also violence against women, destruction of community, exploitation and marginalization of the Indigoes people. You don't have to be Native Americans to care, you just need to be a person with empathy. We now live in an era where we need solidarity more than ever. It's time for all of us to stand up and stick up for each other in the face of injustice and oppression. ✊🏼✊🏿✊🏻✊🏽✊🏾
Product of one of those sleepless night. Sometime I wish I could just turn off my news feeds about those disturbing political and social issues and just watch a funny romcom to escape from the depressing reality. But I can't, even if I did get distracted for a few hours. Sooner or later, this disturbing story will pop up in my mind again, these are the things that keeps me up at night. #NoDAPL
