When history is intentionally hidden, stacked with lies, or told through the eyes of white supremacists, we must embrace the task of preserving our own history by any means necessary. We do not preserve history by keeping a book safe on a shelf, but rather by telling the stories of those who came before us, of those among us now, and by learning from all that was and is. Xinachtli (pronounced she-nawsht-lee) is not only part of a revolutionary history that many of us identify with and struggle alongside, but he is also part of the history we are making today. Xinachtli is the present, and that is one of the most important things about political prisoners currently suppressed by the state. They are still among us; they still have much to share with us, much to say, and much to feel.
A political prisoner is held captive for their political determination, for their resistance against colonial powers and rebellion against inhumane, racist, and unjust systems. Xinachtli stood at the forefront of the Chicano movement in Houston, Texas, leading El Movimiento De La Raza and spearheading the Ricardo Aldape Guerra Defense Committee, which fought to free Mexican national Ricardo Guerra from Texas death row after he was framed for allegedly killing a cop.
A political prisoner is held captive for their political determination, for their resistance against colonial powers and rebellion against inhumane, racist, and unjust systems.
Recognized internationally for his human rights work, Xinachtli now faces a case not far from the same case he once fought tirelessly against. In 1997, he was sentenced to 50 years in prison for disarming a police officer who had drawn a weapon on him, even though Xinachtli was unarmed. So far, he has served 30 years of that sentence, with 23 of those years spent in solitary confinement. As someone who held his community's defense dear to his heart, Xinachtli was no stranger to the police. He understood that uniting and defending the people was the only way to build a movement.
Xinachtli's work did not end when he was sentenced. He has continued organizing within prison, serving as a jailhouse lawyer helping prisoners challenge prison conditions, file lawsuits against jailers, prove their innocence, and overturn or reduce unjust sentences. He remains a dedicated student of revolutionary history, never abandoning his political education, and is always sharing knowledge with others. Xinachtli shows us what resistance, determination, and rebellion look like. At the end of 2024, the Texas government denied his parole once again, but Xinachtli's message was clear: He is defiant and now, more than ever, our political struggle must intensify through organizing and uniting marginalized communities.
But here's the thing about political prisoners: they are not only prisoners, organizers, or revolutionaries. They are people, artists, lovers, writers, and poets. Xinachtli dedicates his time to writing, studying, and sharing knowledge that supports Palestinian Solidarity, Black Liberation, and Chicano Liberation movements.
The Colonial History of Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers police force was founded in 1823 to enforce colonial rule in a "for whites only" government.
In his essay, Xinachtli explores Chicano history through his studies and lived experiences, tying Texas history to his own, to prison struggles, and to worldwide antifascist movements. Chicanos have always wrestled with questions of identity and belonging amid colonialism's contradictions and the making of the militarized Southern border. History helps clarify who we are. When we understand how oppression shaped our people, we see our place in the arc of history, and we know how to struggle forward.
Being part of the Free Xinachtli campaign has given me a new sense of love and appreciation for the past. As someone who studies history, I know how to contextualize stories, trace causality, and sit with complexity. But this campaign has taught me what it really means to be active in our history. There's nothing like recognizing yourself in the arc of struggle, being claimed by both the past and present.
Xinachtli and I speak weekly. We update each other on campaign work, but mostly, we exchange stories, experiences, and things we're learning. He never fails to inspire me with his energy and appreciation for the past. Now more than ever, he needs the support of the people. We are fighting against a state that wants to see our history lost and wants us to forget what makes us strong. This campaign is much more than a freedom campaign; it is part of a bigger, global movement for justice against the evil and violence caused by imperialist powers. A movement that seeks true liberation. Join us, we have nothing to lose.
To learn more about Xinachtli and how to support him, visit his campaign site.