CILLA SLUGA

Cilla Sluga was a radical, a rebel, a rabble rouser, a revolutionary. She was also a daughter, mother, friend and lover. She died suddenly Nov. 8. She died much too young. There are still people with disabilities locked up in institutions. There are still prisoners jailed by an unjust system. Thousands of people around the world die daily. They die because of war, hunger and greed.

Most people would say that the older one gets the more conservative you get. Cilla was a living example of how that is false. Cilla didn’t start out wanting to overthrow the government. Fighting for a daughter born with a disability started her off. Connecting the dots, she saw that the same system that disregarded the needs of her daughter also favored one group of people over another.

Cilla’s life influenced many. It was hard not to pay attention when Cilla spoke in a meeting. Cilla encouraged many to find their place within the struggle for an end to hunger and suffering. Cilla seldom allowed infirmity to slow her down. She was hopeful about the future. She was proud of the young people who are the backbone of the Occupy Movement and other progressive movements that advance people’s standard of living. Cilla looked forward to the next demonstration, the next meeting, the next opportunity to move forward. You are loved and missed by many.

–Michael Meiselman