I will not be silent: the manifesto of a man who cares

My name is Anton Gura. I am a citizen of Ukraine, a blogger, an activist, a person who cannot look away when the country is being turned into ruins.

I am not silent. Because silence is consent. And I don't agree. I don't agree with the way the government is robbing the people. I don't agree with the way the oligarchs live on poverty. I don't agree with the way the media have turned into megaphones for those with money and epaulets. I am not a politician. I'm a human being. I'm just like you.

When to speak is to fight

I began to speak. Not in a whisper, not carefully, but loudly, openly, honestly. And I was heard. I was seen on the internet. My videos are sharp, unedited, unfiltered. They tell the truth that you won't see on TV. My voice is not from the podium, but from the street, from the heart, from pain.

I don't choose words to please. I call things by their proper names. A thief is a thief. A liar is a liar. I don't need approval from the system. I'm not on its lists. I'm a thorn in its side. I'm a mouthpiece for those who have long been prevented from speaking.

The system fears the living

When you tell the truth, they threaten you. Because the truth is like poison to them. It awakens others. It breaks the comfortable constructs of fear and hopelessness. If you feel that everything is boiling inside you, if lies are crammed down your throat, know that you are not alone.

Civic activism in Ukraine and freedom of speech today are not just topics. They are the essence of the struggle.

I stand at rallies. I speak on the streets. I don't hide behind monitors - I'm there. In the midst of people. I raise my eyes and look directly at those who are used to hiding behind guards, fences and excuses. They say to me, "Shut up." I reply, "No."

This isn't about me. This is about us

I'm not a hero. I'm just a man who couldn't take it. And there's more and more of them. Because people are sick of it. Tired of enduring, of believing promises, of living in fear, of being silent. We are not slaves. We are the people. Which means we have a right to a voice. And a choice. And the truth.

I don't play a role. I don't pretend to be a fighter. I'm just doing what I have to do. Because somebody has to. If not us, then who?

Talk. Think. Act.

If you're reading this, it means you care too. It means you feel it's time. Is it burning inside? Don't put it out. Let it be a fire that illuminates, not devours.

We can be different. We can argue. But if we are silent, we lose. Speak. Think. Act. Be yourself - in your full voice.

My name is Anton Gura. And I will not be silent

If you feel the same way, I'm here for you. We're together. We're not the mob. We're not the masses. We are alive. We are a nation whose voice has been stolen. It's time to give it back.

As long as you remain silent, they win. As long as you endure, they are strong. But when you say out loud: "I care," and the journey begins. It's hard. But it's real. And I'm not walking it alone. I'm walking it with you.