The panel Women Speak Out Against Fascism featured Ericka Huggins and Elaine Brown, two legendary figures in the Black liberation movement, in a powerful discussion about the rise of fascism, state repression, and the role of women in the fight for justice.
Both Huggins and Brown, former leaders in the Black Panther Party, drew from their deep histories of activism to analyze the political landscape, connecting past struggles against government oppression, racial injustice, and economic exploitation to contemporary movements resisting authoritarianism. They discussed the ways in which state violence, surveillance, and systemic racism have continued to evolve, particularly in the wake of increased policing, mass incarceration, and attacks on civil liberties.
A major theme of the panel was the role of women in revolutionary movements. Brown, the first and only woman to chair the Black Panther Party, spoke about the challenges of leadership in a male-dominated movement, her experiences organizing against state repression, and the necessity of political education. Huggins, an educator and human rights advocate, emphasized the power of healing, mindfulness, and community-building as tools for resistance, particularly for women and marginalized communities.
Together, they examined how fascist tendencies in American politics disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities, working-class people, and activists, while also highlighting the importance of solidarity, radical organizing, and self-determination. The conversation was both a historical reflection and a strategic discussion on how to confront the current political moment, offering inspiration and guidance for those continuing the fight against oppression.