Remarks at the 2025 Global Summit on Self-Determination

On February 22, 2025, Texas Nationalist Movement (TNM) President Daniel Miller delivered a compelling speech at the Global Summit on Self-Determination, joining leaders from independence and autonomy movements worldwide. Addressing delegates from Kurdistan, Catalonia, Scotland, Quebec, and beyond, Miller reinforced Texas’ unwavering commitment to self-determination, invoking historical struggles and victories that mirror those of other movements.

Drawing parallels between Texas’ fight for independence and the global trend of nations reclaiming their sovereignty, Miller emphasized that self-government is not just a right but an unstoppable force. Citing Texas’ economic strength and historical resilience, he dismantled the notion that independence is unattainable, reminding attendees that “the will of a people to govern themselves cannot be forever denied.”

Watch Daniel Miller’s full speech here:

Transcript of Remarks

Distinguished delegates, fellow advocates for self-determination:

As I look at the list of attendees, I see representatives of familiar movements – friends from Kurdistan who’ve taught us about persistence in the face of seemingly impossible odds, colleagues from Catalonia who’ve shown us how to mobilize millions for peaceful change, brothers and sisters from Scotland who’ve demonstrated how to build a professional, modern independence movement. Each of you has contributed to Texas’s journey, whether you know it or not.

Ernest Renan told us that “a nation is a soul, a spiritual principle.” He understood that nationhood isn’t born from borders or bloodlines, but from the daily choice of a people to live together in freedom. In Texas, we’ve lived this truth since 1836. Looking around this room, I see that same truth reflected in each of your movements.

When Sam Houston and the Texian Army stood victorious at San Jacinto, they didn’t just win a battle – they proved what we all know in our hearts: the will of a people to govern themselves cannot be forever denied. Santa Anna had an army of trained soldiers, artillery, and the backing of a powerful central government. The Texians had something more powerful – an unshakeable belief in their right to self-government. I see that same belief in the eyes of our Kurdish friends, who’ve maintained their identity and push for self-determination despite centuries of opposition.

Terence MacSwiney, who gave his life for Ireland’s independence, declared “Wherever our flag is down, lift it; wherever it is challenged, wave it; wherever it is high, salute it.” These weren’t just words for him – he died after 74 days of hunger strike, proving that the spirit of independence cannot be crushed by force. His sacrifice teaches us that the price of freedom is high, but the cost of submission is higher. Our friends from Tibet understand this price all too well, yet they persist in their peaceful struggle for autonomy.

To our Catalan delegates – your recent experiences with Madrid mirror our own challenges. When we see Spanish authorities attempting to criminalize self-determination, we’re reminded of how the Federal Government tries to delegitimize our own movement. Yet you’ve shown us how to maintain dignity and purpose even when faced with state opposition.

Today in Texas, we face our own challenges. The Federal Government takes $265 billion annually from Texas taxpayers while returning only $162 billion. This isn’t about money. It’s about control. To our Scottish friends – doesn’t this sound familiar? Like Westminster’s control over North Sea oil revenues? The same bureaucracy that can’t count how many agencies it has or how many laws are on the books wants to micromanage every aspect of our lives. Think about that – they literally cannot count their own agencies or laws, yet they claim the right to rule over us.

To our colleagues from Quebec – your experience with two independence referenda has been invaluable to our planning. You’ve shown us both what to do and what to avoid. When your opponents used Project Fear tactics in 1995, they wrote the playbook that would later be used against Scotland in 2014 and against Brexit in 2016. Thanks to you, we’re better prepared to counter these tactics.

Massimo d’Azeglio understood our shared challenge when he said “We have made Italy. Now we must make Italians.” He knew that independence isn’t just about changing flags – it’s about building a shared future. Our friends from South Sudan can attest to the importance of this truth. Look at how the Czech Republic and Slovakia separated peacefully, maintaining friendly relations while each pursuing their own path. That’s what we want for Texas – not isolation, but the freedom to choose our own way forward.

To the representative from Somaliland – your success in building a functioning democracy despite lack of recognition inspires us all. You’ve shown that good governance doesn’t require international recognition – it requires only the will of the people and dedicated leadership.

If we don’t stand for the right of self-determination for one another, we cannot stand for our own. When Kurdistan seeks recognition, we must support them. When Catalonia demands a voice in their future, we must amplify their call. When Scotland campaigns for independence, we must stand with them. Why? It’s not because we agree on every issue. It’s because Renan was right – a nation is a “daily plebiscite,” a constant choice to remain free and we believe in the right of one another to make that choice.

To our friends from the Faroe Islands – you’ve shown us how to balance autonomy with practical international relationships. Your management of your fisheries and natural resources while maintaining beneficial relationships with Denmark offers lessons for all of us.

Much like you each have your own skeptics, our skeptics love to ask if Texas can survive as an independent nation. Let me answer with facts: Texas has the 8th largest economy in the world. We’re the 12th largest technology exporter. We have our own power grid. We rank 40th in global population. We lead the United States in exports, with 93% being manufactured goods. If Texas can’t make it as an independent nation, then who can? But these statistics aren’t why we’ll succeed. We’ll succeed because, like everyone in this room, we have the will to govern ourselves.

MacSwiney reminded us that “It is not those who can inflict the most, but those who can suffer the most who will conquer.” The Texas Revolution proved this. The Alamo fell, but its spirit sparked a revolution. Goliad’s massacre didn’t break us – it strengthened our resolve. At San Jacinto, a force one-third the size of Santa Anna’s army achieved victory in 18 minutes. To our friends from West Papua – your peaceful resistance in the face of overwhelming odds embodies this spirit.

D’Azeglio’s challenge rings true today – we must build nations, not just claim territory. That means establishing courts that serve justice, not political agendas. It means creating a monetary policy that serves our people, not distant bureaucrats. It means securing our borders according to our needs, not federal whims. Our colleagues from Vermont, New Hampshire, and California understand these challenges – we’re all seeking to build something better than what we’re leaving behind.

The critics say we’re trying to divide people. They’re wrong. As Renan observed, “A nation is therefore a large-scale solidarity, constituted by the feeling of the sacrifices that one has made in the past and of those that one is prepared to make in the future.” We’re not seeking division – we’re seeking the right to choose our own path, to make our own sacrifices, to build our own future.

To our friends from Bougainville – your recent referendum success shows that peaceful, democratic paths to independence are possible. You’ve demonstrated patience and persistence in pursuing your goals through legitimate means.

Let me be clear: supporting self-determination isn’t about promoting conflict. It’s about recognizing that different peoples need different solutions. The Faroe Islands have found their path. Greenland is finding theirs. Each journey is unique, but the principle remains the same – the right of a people to choose their own government.

Our movements must support each other because we face common challenges. When the Spanish government tried to prevent Catalonia’s referendum, they used the same arguments that federal apologists use against Texas. When Scotland was told they were “too small” to succeed, they faced the same fear-mongering we face today. But as MacSwiney said, “those who oppose do not create – they decompose.”

To succeed, we must share knowledge and resources. The Texas Nationalist Movement has opened its doors to delegates from independence movements worldwide. We’ve shared our experiences, our strategies, our successes, and yes, our failures. Because that’s what family does – and make no mistake, those who believe in and fight for the right of self-determination are family. We’re bound together by our shared commitment to self-determination.

The future belongs to those who believe in their right to self-government and have the courage to claim it. Together, we can show the world that independence isn’t about isolation – it’s about authentic cooperation between equals. When Texas stands among the nations again, we’ll stand with all peoples seeking their rightful place in the world.

Remember what Sam Houston said shortly after Texas joined the union: “Texas will again lift its head and stand among the nations.” He wasn’t just talking about Texas – he was expressing a universal truth. Every people has the right to stand among the nations, to govern themselves, to chart their own course.

The path forward is clear. We must support each other’s right to self-determination, share our experiences and resources, and stand united against those who would deny our fundamental right to self-government. For if we don’t stand together, we’ll surely fall apart.

Let us leave here today committed not just to our own causes, but to each other’s. Let us pledge to support one another, to learn from one another, to stand with one another. Because in the end, our success will be measured not just by our individual achievements, but by how we helped others achieve their dreams of freedom.

Thank you, God bless Texas, and God bless all peoples seeking their rightful place among the nations of the earth.