For some time now, we have been introducing the art of resistance artists from around the world in this section – individuals who have used their art to amplify the voice of Palestine and the resistance movement. Today, while browsing through social media for a new subject, I stumbled upon the portrait of a young Iranian man named Alireza Zakeri, a gold medalist in the computer olympiad and a graduate of Sharif University and the University of British Columbia in Canada.
He isn’t an artist; he’s a programmer and software engineer. Yet, I want to discuss him in this very column about the art of resistance. Alireza Zakeri’s actions exemplify the art of resistance in practice and decision-making. On Sunday, Zakeri expressed his joy in a LinkedIn post announcing his resignation from Google. Alireza Zakeri’s courageous resignation from Google is not merely a professional choice but a bold declaration of his commitment to human and ethical principles. In a world where many sacrifice their values for material gain, he chose to stand against modern pressures and demonstrate that it’s always possible to remain faithful to human principles.
His resignation from Google, especially following the revelation of the company’s collaboration with the Israeli regime on the project ‘Nimbus’, reflects a struggle against oppression and injustice. In a post on LinkedIn, Alireza explicitly stated that after months of expressing concerns about Google’s involvement in this security project and given the company’s disregard for the collective protests of its employees, he decided to leave Google. ”I am happy to announce that I have left Google; this decision reflects my values,” he wrote. However, the most poignant part of his statement is: ”Living a life that contradicts your core values is incredibly challenging. Choosing to leave was not easy, but it was necessary. For anyone facing similar situations, I hope they find the courage to prioritize their principles.”
For me, the art of resistance is no longer solely about painting or drawing; it’s about human courage and boldness. Sometimes we demonstrate this art with a pen, sometimes with color, and sometimes with courageous decisions. I hope for the victory of the resistance front and courage; it’s not easy, but it’s necessary.
