The group we would meet was not in the cult, but rather part of the organized crime network. A group known for distribution. And a purported outlaw subculture of …freedom? They were not particularly gentle. I was in elementary school.

The cult had a large presence in MN too. There was one city in particular we would drive across state lines to deliver CSAM. And me, or whichever one of us was along for the ride that time. We were part of the product too.

Disclaimer: I am not an Epstein survivor. This is important to me as a trafficking survivor. I was trafficked by my parents and their cult since childhood. As a teen and adult, I fell prey to other traffickers. In the US. In the "safe" neighborhoods. With sometimes wealthy and powerful clients.

It is hard to hold these things in consciousness. They easily slip under, out of view, and that's how those in power continue their abuses. Don't look away.

It is better than people believing trafficking doesn't happen or only somewhere else. It is better than people going about their business as usual. It is better than how it has been for so much of history, for much of my life.

I am skeptical the Epstein files will bring the full truth or justice. But it represents a change in consciousness. Even if I don't want to see abusers' faces on my timeline.

No I am not an Epstein survivor. This is important to me as a trafficking survivor. I was trafficked from childhood by my parents and their cult. As a teen and adult, I fell prey to other traffickers. People have walked by while I was getting raped and done nothing. I appreciate your response.

I agree some posts don't quite see how deep it goes, and that there isn't some lovely past to return to, or a system of justice that will bring justice. I think this is a small opening in consciousness but still something. I want those ppl to not look away.

I have been skeptical the Epstein files will be released or reveal the full truth. As a trafficking survivor, I think the fact that these files exist and are talked about is ppl facing reality more than they have for decades of silence and erasure. I could do with fewer photos of abusers in my face.

beautiful.

He looked stunned and like he was trying to deal with the attack. I was actually surprised he reacted so calmly. So I'm curious why you described it this way.

Getting attacked can bring up a fight-or-flight response and doesn't necessarily mean one is ok. I can't find the video but I saw him drop his open hands and turn away initially. And then another person came up and was helping him.

Programs, connections, power get shared at an organizational level. Favors are swapped and purchases made on the individual level. Some of it institutionally enshrined in support for certain religious groups or policies.

The rot has been there, put there by design. I am not convinced it will lead to downfall for the country and its wealthy or connected. The push-pull of opposition is manipulated by those in power w/o real change. There are decisions being made at a national and global level that we are not privy to.

Everyone acted like it was a new year and they didn't want to be bothered.

It has happened before, too. I hope not this time.

For example, 2020 there was a brief opening. People were jolted into looking outside the status quo—by COVID, by police murders of black people. New years 2021, the media and many people stopped caring and looked the other way.