On April 5, I joined thousands of passionate advocates on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., for the “Hands Off!” rally — and I left with something I hadn’t felt over the past few months: hope.
Organized as part of a nationwide day of action, rallies took place in cities across the country. From coast to coast, Americans gathered to demand what should never be controversial — the right to make personal decisions about our bodies, free from government interference and religious extremism.
We rallied in the shadow of the Washington Monument — a striking symbol of our nation’s ideals, even as those ideals are under siege. We listened to powerful speeches from leaders like Reps. Jamie Raskin and Maxwell Frost, who reminded us that this is a defining moment for our democracy. Raskin electrified the audience with his statement, “Our Founders wrote a Constitution that does not begin with ‘We the dictators.’ The preamble says, ‘We the people.’”
We’re witnessing an unprecedented, coordinated attack on bodily autonomy, public education, LGBTQ rights and the separation of church and state. Christian nationalism has taken hold in legislatures, in the courts and in the White House. As an attorney at the Freedom From Religion Foundation, I see the consequences of that every day. The legal landscape is grim, and I know I’m not alone in feeling overwhelmed.
But standing in that crowd, shoulder to shoulder with parents, teachers, students, and advocates from all walks of life, I remembered: We are not alone. Not even close.
It’s easy to feel isolated in this fight. When laws are passed in back rooms, when court decisions gut our freedoms, when elected officials quote scripture instead of the Constitution — it can feel like no one is listening. But April 5 reminded me that millions of us are listening. We’re watching. We’re organizing. And we’re fighting back.
And we’re not done yet.
This Saturday, April 19, the people will rally again across the nation. Freethinkers, secular Americans, and everyone who believes in true equality and church/state separation: We need you. This moment requires visibility. It requires courage. It requires all of us.
If you’ve ever felt hopeless about the direction of this country, I get it. But I also know this: Movements are built in moments like these. When we show up, we build power. When we speak out, we inspire others. And when we fight together, we win.
So join a rally on April 19. Let’s turn outrage into action. Let’s show theocrats and extremists that we’re not going anywhere — and we’re not backing down.
One Response
Great article. I live in the Northeast and almost joined my friends for that rally and Indivisible and Women’s Day of Action.
However, with all the violent incidents, attempted shootings, “white nationalists”, militia, and incursions no one could’ve imagined a decade ago, I don’t feel safe anywhere near the Capitol. Sad, right? I’m a woman, a mom, and disabled so I need to be careful deciding where I can safely go.
Did you or any of your trusted sources spot any hate groups or dangerous self-proclaimed “provocateurs” like Rod Webber show up around the protest? Or was it peaceful?