The story of Ramon Mejia is the story of antiwar struggle, Chicano Liberation, and justice for Muslims in the USA and abroad!
A native of Dallas, TX, Ramon grew up in a working class neighborhood and joined the military, soon after high school, to escape poverty. He received military training at at Camp Pendleton in California and other military bases in the USA and was amongst the earliest troops deployed to Iraq in March 2003. His role was to supply logistics during the war. This was a time when the antiwar resistance in Iraq was not well developed, however, Ramon witnessed first-hand the profound brutality and cruelty of war, in the form of destruction and displacement of refugees. Ramon returned from his duty in March 2004 and suffered mental health crisis as a direct result of his experience in the military. He was eventually discharged from the military in November 2004.
Ramon's experience is of millions of veterans who have been damaged by the war and feel abandoned by the state. Married at an early age in high-school, Ramon faced duty to provide for this family as well as maintain social and emotional health to survive in a society, which limits opportunities for people of color and the working class.
Ramon is currently leading GGJ's work in organizing against wars. He travels around the country and conducts workshops on the oppression of war, and how it perpetuates wars against Black, Brown, and working class in the USA. he believes that militarism is the dominant ideology of the country. US wars abroad are connected to the war at home in the form of militarization of the police. The same tactics of war abroad are transferred to the law enforcement in the USA who treat Black, Brown, working class community members as occupied people.
The antiwar movement was weak in the last decade, until the resurgence of Palestine Freedom movement and anti-genocide movement after the Israeli war on Gaza in October 2023. Ramon believes we need to confront the genocide happening in front of us. We need to provide resources to organizations to carry out the fight. GGJ develops the leadership of the frontline antiwar organizations, as well as, organize the funders/philanthropy to provide funding to antiwar organizations. As a result of GGJ's dedicated work, their members in Guam and Mariana have developed solidarity with Palestine and connected it to their struggles for climate and environmental justice.
As a Chicano and Muslim, Ramon sees a direct connection between different movements, from Albuquerque (NM), Hawaii, Puerto Rico, to Palestine. There is a critical need to build a broader social justice movement to change the balance of power, and end wars and all oppressions. Ramon also believes many successes were made by the antiwar movement in the past. Between 1988 and 2005, hundreds of bases were shut down. Kelly Airforce Base in Texas has a high rate of cancer because of decades of water contamination by the base. As a result of years of organizing, this base was shut down. The port in San Antonio is also dealing with contamination and organizing this oppression and the fight is continuing there. GGJ Alliance includes organizations that are deeply involved in divestment as well as resilience - for example community in Oakland - Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ) the organization Oscar Grant Youth Power Zone Community Program - ending school to prison pipeline.
Ramon has collaborated with social justice organizations throughout the USA, including Palestine Youth Movement, Rising Majority, DRUM (Desis Rise Up and Moving), Muslim for Just Futures, and other organizations, coalitions and networks. Ramon has been in touch with Muslims for Social Justice and Manzoor Cheema since 2016. We look forward to building together with Ramon Mejia, GGJ, and the rest of the freedom fighters to advance the movement against racism, capitalism, and imperialism.
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