On February 12, Oona and Emma, activists with Detroit’s anarchist Trumbullplex project, and their Trumbullplex housemates/friends, Jason and Jesse, were returning from an incredible journey to Hawaii, when a terrible automobile crash occurred only 10 minutes from Emma’s uncle’s house in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Emma and Oona died instantly. Jesse was seriously injured and is recovering quickly. Jason was able to walk away from the accident with bruises. We are so fortunate that Jesse and Jason survived the accident.
We at the Trumbullplex would like to attempt to share with you a few words regarding what it is Oona and Emma meant to us. Inside a poverty stricken Detroit, we call the Trumbullplex our home, three collectively owned houses and a community “theater” space. Together we try to live the revolution in our everyday lives. The loss of our two beloved friends is nothing less than losing family to us. Oona had lived in the collective for about three years. Emma’s trips to Detroit were always too short, though we got so much from them. And to our delight, Emma had recently decided to live with us. We are so grateful that she trusted us, loved us, and considered us her family.
In Hawaii, they had been staying in a tree house, hiking around volcanoes, swimming in bottomless pools, sleeping on beaches, and eating coconuts and passion fruit. The last conversations with Emma and Oona on the phone were so descriptive of the amazing experiences they were all having. Their friends and family are so grateful, knowing that they were in “paradise” having the time of their lives.
Words fail to express the deep loss everyone who knew Oona and Emma feel. In Emma’s brief life, she touched so many people, giving hope, a smile, or a hug to all she met. She was a traveler like a pirate, an organizer like a true anarchist/feminist, and an artist without any apologies.
Oona was a gardener, a cook, a geologist, a linguist, a prankster, an organizer, a Detroiter, an anarchist, an explorer, an adventurer, a pirate, a lover, and like Emma, our friend and so much more.
Oona’s and Emma’s personalities are indescribable, but we can definitely say they were incredibly passionate people. They both shared so many desires and dreams, inspiring all of us with their determination to make them come true. What they offered to our struggles here is irreplaceable.
We miss Oona and Emma so much, however, we recognize how incredibly grateful and privileged we are to have had their love and friendship. With their families and friends, we have had the most amazing memorials and parties to celebrate their lives. We should all aspire to live such inspiring and fulfilling lives as Oona and Emma. Us kids at the Trumbullplex live for revolutionary change through them everyday. Oona and Emma will always be alive in our hearts.
The loss of four amazing anarchist womyn already this year–Oona, Emma, Sera, and Beth (Horehound)– is a devastating blow to our communities, as it is to the world. We must keep their fires burning, and as best we can, make all of their dreams come true.
We at the Trumbullplex are forever grateful to all of the donations and support that we have received. We thank you all so much for your compassion. Donations can be made in Oona’s honor to PuppetART/the Detroit Puppet Theatre or to Detroit Waldorf School. Donations can be made in Emma’s honor to Prevent Child Abuse DE (PCAD), which will allow a coloring/activity book for children, that Emma designed, to be published.
4210 Trumbull Detroit MI, 48208
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