A Mother’s Firsthand Experience of Protesting With Hands Off

by Jess Gilman

Before the protest, I had a moment. A moment where, as I was getting ready, I felt overwhelmed with fear—for our country, for my family, for my friends. I ugly cried before pulling myself together, enlisting my son Emerson’s help to make a sign, and heading out to try to make a difference.

Walking up to the protest, I had a moment. A moment where I could’ve blamed the wind for the tears in my eyes, but in reality, they were tears of pride. Pride in showing up to do something scary. Pride in standing beside my mom and other like-minded people who share similar morals and beliefs. Pride in following through and putting my money where my mouth is.

During the protest, I had a moment. A moment when my eyes brimmed with tears, again, as I heard the voices around me chant for what we believe in—for the country we want, for the corruption to end. To every person who showed up, and to every car that honked, waved, smiled, or gave us a thumbs-up as they drove by—thank you.

After the protest, I had a moment. A moment in the truck, driving home with my mom, when I got choked up trying to articulate why participating today mattered. To me, it came down to this (though I certainly wasn’t this eloquent in the moment): showing up today was about setting an example for my kids as I encourage them to stand up for what they believe in. It’s about speaking up for those who are silenced, fighting for those who are being bullied and taken advantage of, and amplifying the voices of the marginalized, the oppressed, and everyone who is too often overlooked.

If we truly want our country to be great, we need to stand together, united in our commitment to justice, equality, and a future where every individual is respected and valued.

The 50501 Movement is a grassroots protest with the tagline, “50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement.” The purpose of the movement is to uphold the constitution and end executive overreach.