I Won't Stop

I’ve always used my voice and passion to express my beliefs. I started out young, maybe at 18 or so, marching for HIV/AIDS awareness. I remember how empowering the process was and enjoyed meeting people with similar beliefs. Throughout the years, I have protested against animal experimentation, used my voice to support women’s issues including the right to choose and have demonstrated numerous times on that issue. I have used my voice to support Black Lives Matter, demonstrated against the inhumane and brutal treatment of George Floyd and attended several women’s marches. All this time, I have enjoyed my freedom to demonstrate, protest and use my voice to share my opinions and beliefs. It has always felt empowering and invigorating. 

However, something is different now – it is URGENT that I utilize my voice and show up to actions that reflect my beliefs. The latest HANDS OFF protest that I attended was on April 5th in Torrance. There was such a variety of people, over 10,000 from the estimates. There were teachers, librarians, veterans, scientists, doctors, nurses, moms, dads, old, young, men, women, children, democrats, Republicans (yes, even some of them who are not happy with what is happening), LGBTQIA+, and every race represented, all coming together to voice their beliefs about what is happening in this beautiful United States! Save Social Security, Save Medicare, Save the Affordable Care Act, Protect Veterans, Protect the Environment, Keep our National Parks Open, Vaccines Save Lives, Protect Trans Lives, Protect Books, Protect the LGBTQ+ Community, Protect Immigrants, Protect Indigenous Peoples – these were just a sampling of the positive messages I was taking in as we were peacefully demonstrating. It was the willful destruction of our safety systems by DOGE that got most of us out there on a sunny Saturday afternoon. 

I learned a lot that day – people on the other side can sit down and talk. We can work together. I learned that there are a lot of Teslas on the road and the amount of honking and support for the cause coming from those driving Teslas was such a great feeling. I learned that using your voice and showing up for action lets those in charge know that we are watching and watching carefully. 

I won’t stop protesting, writing to elected officials, posting on social media or writing on blog posts. We are in some very disorienting times (that’s how they want us to feel). We need to keep ourselves strong, healthy and our movements for justice need to be strategic. This beautiful country which has been admired throughout the world will only stay that way if we use our collective voices and continue showing those in “power” that the power is really with the people.

Laurie M.