2026 Anti War Speech

I am you, and you are me.

We were told history would save us from repeating history. That progress was automatic. That the worst mistakes were behind us.

But listen—right now, the drumbeat is getting louder. The U.S. and Iran. Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. and China. Carrier groups moving. Standoffs widening. Leaders talking like escalation is “normal.”

And I need you to hear this clearly:

Nothing is inevitable—except what we tolerate.

Gen Z. Millennials. This is not a livestream debate. This is not a trending topic. This is your life. Your future. Your friends. You are the ones drafted into the consequences while the powerful draft talking points.

We’ve seen this pattern before.

Vietnam started with “just a little more.”

Iraq started with “we have to.”

The Bay of Pigs started with “it’ll be quick.”

Different decade. Same lie: Trust us.

And every time, the bill is paid in blood—by the young—while the powerful call it “strategy.”

So I’m drawing a line tonight:

No more blank checks. No more silent escalations. No more war by autopilot.

If leaders want to widen war, let them say it plainly. Debate it plainly. Vote on it plainly—because in a democracy, war is not a private decision made behind closed doors.

And if you’re thinking, “What can I do?”—you’ve been trained to feel small.

But the truth is: the machine runs on your consent.

Your silence. Your attention. Your labor. Your fear.

So we withdraw it—together.

We demand de-escalation. We demand diplomacy. We demand Congress reclaim the war power—because no single office should have the ability to drag millions toward disaster.

This is not left versus right.

This is not red versus blue.

This is life versus death.

This is the future versus the war machine.

To every young person watching: do not let your life be traded for old grudges and political careers. Do not let “patriotism” be rebranded as obedience.

The most patriotic thing you can do is defend the people—not the pride of politicians.

So here’s the move—right now:

Call. Show up. Record. Repeat.

Call your representatives. Flood their offices.

Show up at town halls and ask one question:

“Will you vote before escalation—yes or no?”

Record the answer. Post the answer. Make it impossible to hide.

And if they won’t listen—

replace them.

Run for city council. Run for state house. Run for Congress. Millennials and Gen Z: take seats of power and put a lock back on the war machine.

Because the most dangerous sentence in politics is: “We have no choice.”

We do have a choice.

And we are making it—now.

I am you, and you are me.