Love in the Time of Rebellion
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"Actually, we put that fun, creativity, and imagination in center of our movement, to transform that darkness and grief that we already have. Because of what's happening in Asia right now! We transfer that with creativity, with fun and imagination; we want to transform it into our ‘people power.’"
Growing up in Indonesia, Evy Zulyani discovered a passion for social change, initially motivated by her empathy for the marginalized. Having been raised by a single mother who struggled amid oppressive circumstances, Evy well understood how authoritarianism permeated everyday life, manifesting as control and marginalization. Her ensuing activism was a response to her and her mother’s life experience; it provided her with a way to confront oppressive power structures.
This first manifested in the form of writing—as a high school journalist, Evy exposed corruption at her school, which led to changes and increased accountability. This was her first taste of the transformative power of activism, revealing its potential to reshape society, however small a scale it was at first. Her work evolved as she drew strength from community involvement. Along with a group of likeminded peers, she volunteered to provide an alternative education for children from a socioeconomically struggling community in town, creating a nurturing environment that encouraged curiosity, creativity and growth. These efforts aimed to offer alternatives to Indonesia's rigid and unequal formal education system, and they solidified her belief in the value of collective action and community-led change.
After graduating, Evy joined an NGO advocating for the rights of migrant workers. Her work exposed her to the struggles faced by Indonesian women who had worked abroad, often under exploitative conditions, and were hailed as “heroes” by the Indonesian government for their economic contributions. This term, however, carried a bitter irony, as these women were often forced into migration due to economic hardship, which the government did not help to ameliorate, only to face systemic injustices like human trafficking and marginalization when they arrived abroad. Then on returning home, they struggled to reintegrate into their communities and build new lives despite. These experiences profoundly shaped Evy’s understanding of gender inequality and power dynamics—not through academic theories but through learning directly from the lived experiences of these women. For Evy, their resilience in supporting their families and fostering initiatives to rebuild their communities embodied the true meaning of heroism, standing in stark contrast to the state’s use of the term.
When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Evy had to shift from on-the-ground activism to digital advocacy. This transition was challenging, as organizing remotely made her feel disconnected from the communities she aimed to support. However, it also introduced her to the Milk Tea Alliance (MTA), a solidarity movement uniting activists across Asia to amplify the struggles for democracy, with Myanmar at its core. For Evy, MTA was not just a platform she could use to amplify her own messages, but a new tool to build a transnational solidarity and connect Indonesian activism to wider regional struggles. Through MTA, she and her peers organized creative and impactful campaigns, such as solidarity bike protests and collaborations with artists. The movement’s transnational approach also helped raise awareness about shared experiences with authoritarianism, economic inequality, and the aspiration for democracy. As Evy quips about what binds them together, “We all hate our governments!”
For Evy, Myanmar, in particular, symbolized the broader struggle against authoritarianism. She feels that if Burmese activists are able to prevail against their oppressors, the spirits of grassroots activists across Southeast Asia will be lifted immeasurably. Towards this end, she has organized a number of awareness-raising events and solidarity actions in Indonesia in support of the Burmese resistance movement. One notable instance was a “solidarity night” held outside the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. Despite strict COVID-19 restrictions and the threat of state repression, Evy and a small group of activists, joined by journalists and Papuan allies, united to raise their voices, highlighting shared struggles and demonstrating that the fight for justice transcends borders. The demonstration featured posters honoring Myanmar activists who had lost their lives, speeches, and a collective prayer. Papuan activists, drawing parallels between their struggles against systemic oppression and those faced by the people of Myanmar, brought their solidarity to the forefront. The event not only amplified the message of transnational solidarity but also underscored the intersection of regional struggles for democracy and human rights.
Creativity also plays a central role in Evy’s work. She believes that creative expression involving fun and imagination are not just by-products of activism, but fundamental components that keep a movement alive. By centering on joy and artistic expression, activists can transform pain into power and keep each other going in the face of adversity. One interesting example of this was her “Bike for Myanmar” event: Because demonstrations are usually hemmed in by police barricades, using bicycles allowed the activists more flexibility and mobility, to be able to disperse and regroup quickly as needed, which prevented the protest from being more restricted. Evy also regularly collaborates with artists, musicians, and various community groups, producing zines, artwork, and songs to express solidarity in accessible, impactful ways. One standout initiative was “Rap Against Junta,” a collective of musicians from Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar, voicing defiance against dictatorship through hip hop. She facilitated connections between various artists and activists and contributed to the messaging and promotion of the collective’s work. In addition to its creative component, Evy sees activism as transforming grief and anger into beauty and power.
Yet Evy acknowledges that the work can also take a toll. She speaks candidly about the pressures of constantly resisting powerful forces, and describes pushing herself to exhaustion—living with “no sleep, no life,” which she found only makes things worse. She admits that at times, that it is “easier to become burned out, exploited, and fearful” than to stay hopeful in the face of such authoritarian rule; this is all made even harder for her by financial struggles and trying to make a living as a freelancer while balancing her activist work. Thankfully, her activist community has played a critical role in helping her overcome these feelings. This personal experience informs her belief that collective care is a central tenant of productive activism. Evy emphasizes that the struggle is never about an individual endeavor, but rather a shared effort. Friends, family, and fellow activists are essential for maintaining hope and resilience.
Evy highlights the importance of “collective care,” which she describes as a shared process of mutual support, healing, and growth within the movement. She emphasizes that this sense of community not only helped to transform her grief and fear but also gave her the strength to continue the fight, making it clear that activism could not be sustained in isolation.
Evy's understanding of state repression has been shaped by the way authoritarian regimes seem to share their tactics. She describes this in a brilliant “zine” she helped develop, called “The Dictator's Playbook.” Its message is that just as activists learn from one another, so do repressive regimes. National security measures, such as the Hong Kong National Security Law and Thailand's lèse-majesté law, serve as adaptable models for authoritarian governments elsewhere. By understanding the mechanics of shared tactics that are used by different regimes, activists like Evy can better find effective strategies to adapt to and counter them, rooted in their particular context. This playbook reflects both a creative and strategic approach to understanding repression and planning resistance.
Despite these challenges, Evy remains hopeful. She finds strength in the friendships she has formed through the Milk Tea Alliance and in the resilience of the communities she works with. For her, the saying that “if one of us is not free, then none of us are free” is more than a slogan—it is a guiding principle for her activism. The fight for democracy in Myanmar is intrinsically linked to the struggle for justice in her home country of Indonesia, as well as Thailand, Hong Kong, and beyond. The success of one movement has the potential to spark others, providing a beacon of hope in even the most repressive environments.
Love lies at the core of Evy's activism. She often speaks of love as a radical act—love for her community, her peers, and the people whose rights she fights for. This love is what transforms pain into power, what allows her and her comrades to continue despite the overwhelming odds. Activism is about protecting and nurturing each other, ensuring sustainability, avoiding burnout, and finding joy amid struggle.
"Love transforms the darkness," she says. "I think love can radicalize you. If you go with the path of love, I think the power of love is limitless. So don't forget to love yourself and love others. Just spread love."
If you found this episode of interest, please consider checking out these other, past shows:
· Debbie Stothard discusses how her journey as a human rights activist began in Malaysia and later expanded to regional advocacy, connecting, in particular, with the struggles in Burma. Her insights highlight the interconnectedness of regional politics and the collective efforts of ASEAN communities to confront human rights abuses. They reflect the perseverance and ingenuity found in other activists' stories.
· Delphine Schrank’s reporting on Myanmar's dissident movement uncovered a vibrant democratic underground, contrary to the prevailing narrative at the time. Her exploration of the determination and sacrifices of individuals within this movement reveals the universal human drive to resist authoritarianism, aligning with the broader themes of resilience and courage.
· Chuu talks about how her evolution as an artist in Myanmar was profoundly shaped by personal experiences of gender inequality and the transformative power of the revolution. Through her art, she addresses both traditional cultural influences and the revolutionary spirit of the protests, echoing the dual struggle of preserving identity while pushing for societal change.
· Little T recounts the shock of the 2021 coup and the subsequent transformation of her life from development work to full engagement in the revolutionary movement. Her experience of early protests and forming networks under oppressive conditions underscores the bravery and adaptability required to resist and rebuild during times of crisis.
· Bobo says that his activism, rooted in the 2007 Saffron Revolution, matured into a calculated resistance against Myanmar’s military regime, even under constant surveillance. His reflections on creating a safe identity while sustaining clandestine activities highlight the strategic depth and unwavering commitment characteristic of those who dare to challenge oppressive systems.