In remembrance of Jennifer Rose Miller
Arlington, TX – In the evening hours of Thursday, April 27, Jennifer Rose Miller unexpectedly departed this world at the age of 30. Her friends, family and comrades are devastated by the news, knowing her to be incomparably kind, loving and unwavering in her commitment both to the struggle and to little Xavier, her beaming soon-to-be-seven-year-old son who she leaves behind. The center of her life was her son, her pride and joy. She often had to arrange childcare for him to allow her to lead marches. She is also survived by her younger brother, parents and many other family members who loved her so much. Jennifer's life was cut far too short, but it was a full and a poignant one.
Jennifer was born January 5, 1993 on the other side of the world in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to an American father and an Eritrean mother. Perhaps because of this, she had a keen sense of world affairs and a strong commitment to anti-imperialism. She was raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area of Texas, where she was a faithful member of the Orthodox church and held deep roots in the African American and Eritrean communities of Texas. She studied sociology and received her degree with the class of 2017 from the University of North Texas and has been a resolute and courageous activist ever since.
Jennifer had a sharp intellect and was a powerful writer, but she shone most as a speaker. Her charisma and force of personality allowed her to work any crowd and to lead even the largest protests, even as others attempted to divert things. Jennifer was creative and joyful and even a bit mischievous, with a laugh so warm and infectious. She also had a beautiful voice, even recording a few demo tracks with different artists. She was a central part of building up the Dallas branch of the National Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression throughout its earliest years, and she participated in the refounding of NAARPR as a national organization in 2019. Jennifer had been a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization, and more recently she worked for the Texas Organizing Project up until her far too early passing.
Those who knew Jennifer casually may remember her most for her fierceness, but those who worked closely with her know that that fierceness sprang from a deep kindness. Jennifer was always there for friends or comrades who were struggling, always ready with a kind and sympathetic word, and always ready to listen without judgment. That kindness extended to a profound sense of protectiveness over the people who marched behind her.
During the George Floyd rebellion of 2020, she was an unmistakable force, leading thousands of protesters through the streets of Dallas demanding justice for all victims of police crimes in the city and across the country. In the face of an army of tanks, dozens of vehicles, and officers in riot gear, through a barrage of tear gas, rubber bullets, and concussion grenades, Jennifer never surrendered to political repression. She led the first chants to demand the resignation of now former police chief U. Renee Hall, who ordered the attack on the protest. The resulting political pressure dramatically changed the way that Dallas police manage protests.
Jennifer was an internationalist. She often spoke in defense of the Cuban Revolution and the Pink Tide. Many who knew her knew of her support for Irish reunification. She was a valued supporter of the Filipino national democratic movement. But next to her commitment to the liberation of African Americans, the cause with which she was most connected was the liberation of Palestine. On one memorable occasion, Jennifer spoke to a crowd of thousands of Palestine supporters and pointed out that the very same brand of tear gas used by the Zionist occupiers in Palestine had been fired at her and her son on the streets of Dallas.
A close friend and fellow organizer, Kyra, remembers the immense care Jennifer displayed towards others, “As long as I knew her, nobody was below receiving that type of love from her. She had such a fiery sense of justice; you could see it often overwhelmed her. Someone like that can't help but be dedicated to the struggles to uplift all people of the world.”
Looking back on the fierce speech Jennifer delivered during an earth-shattering protest after Nakba day in 2021, Dallas organizer Rick Majumdar said, “Jennifer was a friend of the people, she was a friend of Palestine.” There is no shortage of these memories. “I saw her joy in being not only a mother but a revolutionary,” said another organizer, Sam Martinez. Reminiscing about hearing Jennifer tell the birth story of her son, Sol Márquez of Centro CSO was “having such a good time with her,” she recalls, “I completely forgot I had a plane to catch. I almost missed it, but it would’ve been worth it to lose my flight, in such good company.” Her confidence, charm, and magnetism brought so many people together.
The community of progressives and activists throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area owe a great deal to this firebrand leader. Jennifer once said, “It's bigger than just me and my son. I want to create a better world and be one of the many millions who can spark the change that needs to happen.”
Jennifer knew that no fight was worth more than the fight for the liberation of all oppressed peoples, and we mourn the heavy loss from her death. Her brothers and sisters and all comrades in the struggle remember how precious tomorrow is, and how important it is to seize the time, to live life to the fullest, and to keep fighting while we can.
Rest in power, comrade.
¡Jennifer Rose Miller, presente!
A fundraiser is being organized by her family to support her son; donate at https://www.gofundme.com/f/jennifer-rose-miller