Mexico: Open letter of imprisoned comrade Braulio Duran to Felicity Ryder

Felicity:

Hello, compañera. First of all, I hope that you’re doing well wherever you are. I know perfectly well this probably isn’t the case, because of everything that has happened in this past period, referring to everything — physically, mentally, and much much deeper in your heart.

You know, I have just decided to write you this letter, and really I don’t have the faintest idea what is pushing me. It’s simply something deep within me that says do it and, well, I hope that one day you can read it and somehow you can feel my support. Perhaps I’m being compelled by solidarity, comradeship, friendship, I don’t know, because I have never met you and I don’t have the faintest idea who you are or what you like to do in your ‘free’ time. But, well, all that aside, here I am, compañera. I am with you in much more than in simple letters that can be read as ‘beautiful’…

Comrade, I want to tell you, stay strong, and give everything your best. I know that no doubt what you’re going through isn’t easy, much less staying ‘calm,’ since there are times when all we can do is curse it all, but truthfully I wish you good spirits. Don’t give up. I’m sure that you are a warrior and you will know how to support yourself, so you will overcome this situation, and when you least expect it, you will be a little calmer.

Truthfully I would like to tell you the best things to make you feel better, but I know that sometimes it isn’t enough, and they can tell you a thousand things, but all the same they don’t have any idea what struggle means, or any of the other things that can happen. But well, I do understand a little because I live it day to day since my kidnapping two years ago.

Strength, comrade, I say with total sincerity. Remember that all of this comes from fighting, for the most valuable thing a human can have — freedom. Most likely a thousand things are going through your head, from reproach, blame, and anger, to total existential collapse. But nobody is guilty of anything, since as you know, things are unpredictable. It’s nothing; they’re events of the moment, of time that is sometimes not in our hands. So, if these things are tearing up your life, what I can say to you is put fire to it all, and channel your energy only into more transcendent things, like love and struggle.

I imagine that being on the run is a very difficult situation, since the circumstances come to be against what we are and what we want, but sometimes it is necessary, and really it’s true that this isn’t about cowardice, but rather action with pure intelligence and heart, because in the end it is about our own integrity, our own freedom as individuals.

These are so many things that, later, others won’t even understand. But well, in the end we are the ones who are living it, so there’s nothing to do but continue onward with your head held high and continue with our own convictions intact, and not just the ones put into words. But in the end, that’s what there is.

Give it all you have, Felicity, and take care of yourself. Remember that you are not alone. There are many individuals who love you and admire you, but beyond that you have yourself, which is the most important thing, don’t you forget it.

Certainly, I can tell you that I am with you, just as I am with comrade Mario, and although I have never met him in my life either, I feel much affinity with him, and in a way that unites us as comrades in struggle, as anti-authoritarian, libertarian individuals. Besides, I figure, if we don’t help each other, then who will?

Know that my support of you two is sincere and without hypocrisy, and also without a time limit, as often happens with several people who define themselves as libertarian or solidarian, and do things only when they’re the ones in trouble. No, with me there’s none of that shit. Within the limits of my position I am and will continue to be keeping up to date on everything. Take it as done.

And, well, for the moment I say goodbye, but not without first wishing you the best of vibes. I’m sending you a hug to wherever you are. Take care and good luck in everything; remember that you are not alone.

We are all missing something;
we are not all here, we the prisoners are missing!

Greetings to all who resist day by day, behind the barbed wire and in the streets, the fugitives and the sincere!

Greetings and green anarchy.

Braulio Duran

One thought on “Mexico: Open letter of imprisoned comrade Braulio Duran to Felicity Ryder”

Comments are closed.