继承前辈的斗争事业 决不能让他们遗忘

We keep up the fight, they have not lost,
and we cannot let them lose
Transformative Justice Collective

This past Saturday, over 120 people gathered to pay tribute to the thousands of political detainees victimised by Singapore's - and the PAP's - dark history of suppressing dissent. We learnt about Nantah students' resistance, the heroes of Barisan Socialis, anticolonial activists who fought for a Singapore free not just from British rule, but all kinds of capitalist and racial oppression, early feminists of Singapore, and the collective power of workers who fought for their liberation and ours. We sang protest songs that the generations before us drew strength and hope from, and watched photo montages of this colourful history. We watched video clips from a conversation that young Singaporean activists had with Dr Poh Soo Kai, one of the most prolific thinkers and freedom fighters in Singapore's history.

Our youngest speaker was 21, our oldest was 93. The energy in the room was electric as four generations of Singaporeans came together to bear witness to our shared dreams for a better Singapore. "Looking at these images of thousands of students marching through the streets, I can't believe that was Singapore!" one audience member commented. The members of the Old Left who attended the event were moved to see how passionate younger Singaporeans were to learn their stories, how much inspiration we draw from their struggles and sacrifices. At the end of the evening, we all stood and applauded the Old Left.

Most members of the Old Left have hesitated to come forward or be in the public eye over the last few decades. The trauma of years of detention, violence, threats and slander forced them to stay away, for fear that their presence might lead to problems for younger activists. It was healing and joyful for all of us to be reunited, and it meant the world to us when our elders said they were heartened by our efforts to fight, just as they did, for a democratic, just and vibrant Singapore where everyone is free and has the opportunity to thrive. "Their struggle is ours to continue", is what we called the event, because as long as we keep up the fight, they have not lost, and we cannot let them lose.