by Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi dedicated her life to standing shoulder to shoulder with the oppressed, embodying a fearless commitment to justice that ultimately cost her life. Her tragic death serves as a powerful reminder of the countless lives lost in the struggle against Israeli occupation, and her unwavering spirit continues to inspire those fighting for a better world.
For all 26 years of her life, to the day of her murder at the hands of the IDF, Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi lived a life of purpose, dedicated to standing in solidarity with the oppressed, driven by the deep commitment to justice that cost her life. Her tragic killing is not just her story—it is a testament to the countless Palestinians, whose cause she so passionately defended, who have already lost their lives and continue to suffer under Israeli occupation. Ezgi would want you to know this: her death was just one of many, a devastating reminder of the urgency of stopping the ongoing genocide of Palestinians.
I came to know Ezgi through my partner who was one of her teachers at Middle College High School. We became close when she joined Socialist Alternative, an organization we both ultimately left but remained supportive of. She was bursting with energy, a young woman unafraid to stand up for what she believed in. It didn’t take long before we became close—bonded by shared ideals, long hours spent organizing, and the times in between when Ezgi’s vibrant spirit and kindness shone brightest.
What always struck me about Ezgi was how she never let fear hold her back. I remember vividly one day when we were organizing a student walkout in Seattle, protesting Trump’s election. She was set to give a major speech. As the moment approached, I could see her nerves getting to her. But Ezgi never allowed fear to stop her from doing what she felt was right. She took a deep breath, and when she stepped onto that stage, she transformed. Her voice, though shaking at first, grew steady and strong as she delivered her message with unwavering conviction.
One of my favorite memories of Ezgi comes not from a protest or political event but from a more personal moment. It’s from a day she showed up unannounced at my apartment with all the ingredients to make vegan sushi. This is how she was, always looking for an opportunity to show love to everyone around her—usually through food and laughter. She spent the evening chasing my cat around the house, holding him in her arms and giggling uncontrollably. That was Ezgi: a whirlwind of joy and energy who found ways to bring light into even the darkest of moments.
After some years we created a weekly tradition of going to a jazz night in Seattle together. Ezgi, with her magnetic personality, would spend the entire evening making new friends. What was remarkable was that she didn’t just make friends for the sake of it—she was always engaging in deep, meaningful political conversations, using every opportunity to win people over to her ideas. She had this rare ability to blend the personal with the political, seamlessly merging her everyday interactions with her larger mission to fight for a better world.
Though we drifted apart over the years, I watched Ezgi continue to grow and embrace the world. She traveled far and wide—exploring places like Mexico, Cuba, Australia, Thailand, and Germany just to name a few. In 2020, our paths crossed again at a protest in downtown Seattle. It was a moment of reconnection, and we picked up right where we left off. Even after I moved away from Seattle, we stayed in touch, sharing our lives and dreams. We had talked about visiting Türkiye together, a trip that now will never be.
Ezgi’s passion for Palestine and the fight against Israeli occupation became one of the central pillars of her activism. Her journey to Palestine, where she worked with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), was a manifestation of the empathy she felt for oppressed peoples. She went as a peaceful observer, there to bear witness and stand in solidarity with Palestinians who had long suffered under Israeli occupation. It wasn’t enough for her to speak out from the sidelines—she had to be there, to see the injustice with her own eyes, to feel the suffering firsthand. She believed in solidarity in its truest form—standing shoulder to shoulder with those oppressed, even when it put her own life at risk.
Ezgi’s legacy extends far beyond her immediate circle of friends and activists in the U.S. She was part of a global justice movement, and her work in Palestine has left a lasting impact on both her local community and internationally. She gave her life for a cause that she believed in with every fiber of her being—a cause that is, tragically, still ongoing. But even as we mourn her, we must also carry forward the torch she has passed to us. Ezgi was someone who believed in action over words, in standing up even when it meant risking everything. To honor her, we must continue her fight against imperialism, capitalism, and the genocidal policies of the Israeli government.
Her death was senseless and brutal, yet her life was beautiful and full of purpose. Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi was one of the most courageous, compassionate people I have ever known. And while I will forever miss her—her warmth, her laughter, her love—I know that her spirit lives on in the struggles of those she stood beside, in the movements she helped build, and in the hearts of those of us who were fortunate enough to call her a friend.
Rest in power, Ezgi. We will never forget you.
Valerie Ross is a United-Stater and a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) in the Reform & Revolution caucus. She is also an artist, combining her passion for social justice with her creative work.
