“Everything is created from moment to moment, always new. Like fireworks, this universe is a celebration & you are the spectator contemplating the eternal Fourth of July of your absolute splendor.” — Francis Lucille

Sunday, January 8, 2012

My Hero: Pancho Ramos

"If you want to be a rebel, be kind." - Pancho Ramos

I'd like to introduce you to one of my heroes, Pancho Ramos‎. If you have more time, you can read a detailed biography of his recent years here. In November 2011, Pancho was arrested for meditating at the Occupy Oakland protests. He said, "If police are stepping up their violence, we need to go and step up our nonviolence.” Throughout the protests and even after he and his friends were in handcuffs, he showed compassion and loving kindness to everyone there, especially the police officers. He has had a long history of non-violence, generously giving all he has and encouraging others to share their love. After being arrested in Oakland, he was held under deportation orders. Years before, he had entered the US from Mexico on a student visa at the University of California at Berkeley to pursue a Ph.D. in astrophysics. When he learned that the department's research would assist in nuclear weapons development, he refused to continue with their program. His visa was nullified and he became undocumented. 20,000 people signed a petition on change.org to have him freed, while many others meditated in front of his court arraignment. Because of the amazing love and compassion Pancho had inspired in people, he was freed without bail after 4 days, unprecedented in immigration issues.

 Let's start a rebellion! Let's fervently spread loving kindness to everyone we meet! Pancho taught, “The most effective weapon against a system based on greed and violence is kindness.” Let's stop fighting back and resisting and start really changing the world one smile at a time!

 xoxo,
 Mel

2 comments:

  1. Hi Mel,
    He sounds like a magnificent man! Thank you so much for sharing his story with me, for this is absolutely outstanding! I hope that many more will read his story! My thoughts are that if more people will take the time to read his story more eyes will become opened as to what love can do! Once again, thank you!

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  2. Wow, I've never heard of Pancho Ramos...and I watch the news faithfully and somehow missed this!! Thanks for sharing your hero. He's very inspirational. I'll have to go and read up more on him on the links above. I feel that we can make a difference little by little especially when its positive action.
    Like your new blog and the colors too! Keep it up Mels :)

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