My Story by Heather Kat
My name is Heather Kat, born at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, and I've lived in the area most of my life. I'm a mother of two boys, a freelance operational manager, educator, and licensed tattoo artist. I identify as an anarchist, with my own faith, but I am not aligned with any religious group.
In 2016, I moved from Lancaster to Manchester, seeking a larger city where I could help others, although I wasn't sure how. I was overwhelmed by the injustice, inequality, and suffering I witnessed, as resources were exploited and people, both locally and abroad, were dehumanised. I felt our 'civilisation' was failing and sought ways to promote change through non-violent direct action.
It was in Manchester that I first encountered the Palestinian cause. At my first demonstration, on the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, we carried cardboard coffins down Oxford Road and handed out leaflets, urging people to support a Free Palestine. Through activism, I met my partner, whose understanding of Palestine and global politics was deeply inspiring.
When we learned we were becoming parents, we shifted our focus to building a stable family life. As new parents, we were haunted by the question, "What kind of world are we bringing our sons into?" I can't control what they'll do, but I hope that by standing up to injustice, they'll also learn to say no to oppression.
We moved back to Lancaster in the summer before October 7th, and the aftermath left us awash with grief. Grief for incomprehensible loss of human life, for the ongoing oppression by Israel's expanding apartheid regime, for the disproportionate retaliation, and for the dehumanising language that signalled genocide. The world watched in horror - many did nothing.
In late October, I joined the Palestine Solidarity Campaign Lancaster after attending a local march. The collective grief could have been paralysing, but doing nothing wasn't an option. I found strength in Lancaster's diverse community of people lobbying, campaigning, boycotting, fundraising, and standing up for justice, equity, and peace. The weekly demos have united a community - given hope - in such a dark chapter of our human history.
Standing up for Palestine, and any oppression such like, is to hold onto our collective humanity.