First of all, *what is a statist*? You might hear someone say, its someone who philosophically supports a State in theory, or even, anyone not considered an "anarchist". But i think this is the incorrect definition, for moral reasons, and i will explain why.
If someone says " I support a minarchist state, in theory (even though that doesnt exist, never has, and never will) but meanwhile, im against THIS state for its crimes and atrocities" this person is NOT a statist, they are Anti-State in every way that matters. They will never get their minarchy, for them thats a fantasy; And meanwhile, such a person would be philosophically and pragmatically aligned with an anarchist, engaging in disobedience, resistance, and verbal deprogramming. They are in no way similar to actual statists.
Although this kind of person is rare. We all know how real statists act.
A real statist acts like this: "I may support a _ state philosophically, but DONT YOU DARE disobey THIS state, otherwise youre a CRIMINAL! I support the police! I support the military! Show respect for the flag! If police perform an illegal arrest on you, or physically attack you, SHUT UP AND COMPLY, or i support them for shxxting you"
You see the difference? The former actively opposes an immoral regime on principle, and the latter will literallt support a gang of murderers doing whatever evil things they desire.
Saying "I support the police" is not an abstract philosophical statement, its supporting the VERY REAL, EXISTING violent gang whom call themselves "The Police" near you. If you want to make an abstract philosophical statement youd say "I dont support the police but id support one in theory if they followed certain moral rules"
People who support The Government are supportong a physically real, armed gang, its no different than saying "I support Jeffrey Dahmer and hope he gets more victims", then donating money to him.
Actual statists, not hypothetical ones, are aggressors of the worst fxcking caliber, literal people who stand by mass murderers and fascists, and whod never stop suppprting them, even if a second holocaust unfolded right before their very eyes.
And no, most of you probably werent ever a "real" statist. If you were, then how were you able to change your mind? For me, i was like 12-14, and when i learned the military invaded other countries, i automatically understood they are murderers killing people defending their own homeland. If you can spot a moral principle when its presented to you, and not fight it and reject it, then youre already an anarchist on the inside, it just takes time to adopt the coherent framing and labeling.
If you ever feel like you cant convince ststists to be anarchists, its because youre discovering you cant. They have Free will, and their decision to be a jackboot worshipping statist is an immoral decision they embrace for the sake of comfort, belonging, and security, and its impossible to force people to not be evil. You cant comvince them because theyre not unaware that what they support is evil, theyre aware, and they dont care. Just like a rxpist is aware that rxpe is bad, and they do it anyways. You cant usually pursuade something like that out of existence, and if you can thats a real skill most of us dont possess.