Leader of the #FixTheCountry and #OccupyJulorbiHouse movements, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, has announced his decision to step back from the forefront of the movements after dedicating three years of his life to them.
In a heartfelt tweet, Barker-Vormawor revealed the immense personal sacrifices he made and the challenges he faced while championing the movements.
From facing five arrests to enduring three separate jail terms, he detailed the hardships he endured in his relentless pursuit of justice.
The activist also highlighted the impact of his involvement on his academic pursuits, with his PhD program at Cambridge hanging in the balance, and the loss of an adjunct teaching role. He further spoke about the personal toll it had on him, including instances of cyberbullying, surveillance, and being separated from his family.
“For the past three years, I have given so much of my life and time to mobilize and support the efforts of #FixTheCountry and now #OccupyJulorbiHouse movements,” Barker-Vormawor shared in his tweet, shedding light on the profound commitment he has shown to these causes.
Expressing the need for a transition, Barker-Vormawor called for new faces, new people, and new energy to take charge of #FixTheCountry.
He emphasized that it is time for others to step up and carry the people’s movement forward. “FixTheCountry needs new faces; new people and new energy. This is the time we usher in a proper transition, for the movement to renew itself,” he declared.
Looking ahead, Barker-Vormawor expressed his hope for a new era in politics, where empathy leads and routine social justice is embraced. “The dream is for a new politics. Where empathy leads and social justice is routine must endure,” he added.
With Barker-Vormawor stepping back, the future of the #FixTheCountry movement remains uncertain. Now, it falls upon new individuals to continue the fight for the country’s betterment and work towards the social justice that Barker-Vormawor envisioned.