The first time I remember sitting in front of San Francisco City Hall was at my high school prom, 12 years ago. I was barely politicized back then. The last time I sat in front of San Francisco City Hall, the steps were completely blocked off by a police barricade.

As Buddhists or spiritual people committed to justice, what can we do about hateful, ultra-conservative, quasi-fascist movements like the rise of Donald Trump?

As a white person, I’m feeling the importance right now of addressing my fellow white people. This shit is deep, friends. White privilege is not isolated events, and it’s not something we can just disavow. White supremacy is not just the KKK, and it won’t stop hurting people because we wish it so.

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them."—His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Buddhist Peace Fellowship used the peacefulness of our sitting meditation posture to interrupt the flow of foot traffic at the downtown Oakland Marriott Hotel, which was hosting Urban Shield, a weapons expo and militarized training site for police. The Marriott was not happy with our peaceful protest, and immediately called the cops to remove us. Still, we continued sitting.

The night of the Ferguson grand jury verdict, I faced an unsavory, familiar choice.Buddhism, or the movement?