Terry Willis Completes 1K Mile March At George Floyd Memorial - One Man, Two Feet!

Terry Willis completed his one thousand mile walk from his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama to the site of George Floyd's murder by police at 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis yesterday afternoon, and was met by throngs of supporters who had followed him along his arduous journey.

After some delays due to weather and body recovery, Willis joined a waiting group at the Mall of America in Bloomington. Marchers held signs and wore t-shirts (and almost every respectful citizen was wearing a mask!) in support and cheered Willis on for the last seven miles of his trek to gain awareness for change, justice, and equality.

As there had been threats to Willis along the way, the organizers never gave out his exact location, so it was a bit of sleuthing to find out where they would exactly be to join the march if you hadn't been at MOA on time (like me). I was driving back from getting our morning coffee when I saw people sitting on the curbs of 12th Avenue in Richfield, and a police presence at my old middle school on 70th and 12th.

I raced home to get my brother and we raced back just in time to join Willis for his march through Richfield. I was so proud to be standing up for social justice and systemic change in my hometown, marching down 12th and up 66th to Portland, with supportive honks from backed up cars and shouts of solidarity from the people lining the streets. There's an old spirit chant that went "We're from Richfield, couldn't be prouder, if you can't hear us, we'll yell a little louder!" - and that's what it felt like marching alongside this inspirational man whose story I'd been following since his walk began on June 2nd in Alabama. (This feeling would go away in the evening - read to the end).

"Say his name!" "GEORGE FLOYD!" and "One Man! TWO FEET!" were a couple of the chants along the way, and the day could not have been more beautiful for a walk for social justice. Willis kept an amazingly fast pace going, for a man who had been walking across the entire country. Also impressive was the way he was so concerned about everyone else. He darted around in the crowd, asking if people had water, giving hugs to people that got emotional in his embrace, as they could feel the gravity of what he had endeavored to do, and now he was real and in their arms. Pretty powerful stuff.

When the group turned toward Minneapolis, Paul and I raced back to our car, went home and grabbed our Mom, and took her to do a drive-by farewell to the Pastor of her church, Nokomis Heights Lutheran, who was having a last day picnic there at 53rd and 10th. We drove by and waved our good wishes, and then saw that the Willis march was going by two blocks away at Chicago Avenue!

We cheered them on for a couple of blocks, (and were a little surprised to see a guy open-carrying a machine gun, but then there had been credible threats, so ... sigh. This world.) then drove to 38th and Chicago to the George Floyd Memorial where Willis was to finish his long journey.

The intersection was packed with people, so we tried to stay on the outskirts because of Mom and the pandemic, and people were very respectful about giving she and her wheelchair the space she needed. The grills were cranked up with long lines for the free fare, and the usual angels were there passing out bottles of water on this hot day. The flowers had been refreshed after the storm the night before, and it was once again a beautiful scene of respect and community coming together as one in the name of equality and justice. That's just honestly what it feels like every time you're there, and I hope all Twin Cities residents have been by now. It's something else.

It didn't take long until we saw the glimmer and heard the din in the distance of the Willis march approaching. More and more people poured into the streets as the march passed into the intersection, and more than a few tears were shed when Willis finally approached the very spot where George Floyd had been so ruthlessly killed by monsters meant to protect us. Out of breath somewhat himself, the moment held a whole lot of weight when Willis was now at the destination that had been his focus. Cheers erupted, and then went silent as a trumpeter climbed up above everyone and played "Lift Every Voice And Sing", and another emotional memory was made.

Families stood together, friends stood side by side, mothers pushed their children in strollers, we pushed our Mom in her wheelchair, and everyone there knelt together as one with fists raised in silence as Terry Willis knelt as long as he could after such a long and hard physical feat. More cheers filled the blue skies then, as Willis took the mic to address the crowd ...

Speaking to how he was just a regular guy, not a celebrity (though he was certainly treated like one, deservedly), and he just saw something terrible that he was compelled to do something about, so he set out as one man, two feet and walked for change. Any one of us could do the same, and any one of us can do SOMETHING in our own lives to effect change. My own nearly 80 year old (birthday next week!) Mom is right now in the living room reading "How To Be An Anti-Racist" - THAT is something to effect change, because then she'll talk about it with her 80+ year old posse, and they begin to think differently, and that HELPS.

Once Willis thanked the crowd, he was eager to get home to his own family and his own bed, and the intersection at 38th and Chicago turned once again into the street party that it has been on most days since George Floyd lost his life there. We now know that this time WILL be different, and that systemic change is ACTUALLY in the works. You can feel it.

My family left to get Mom home as we are a bit leery about having her out in the mix at this stage of nobody knowing what's up with this pandemic, but we were all so happy to have been there together to see this historic and triumphant feat completed by Mr. Willis, and once again by surrounded by so much good will and positivity for a better world. We were buzzing about it all day after, and I thought I'd share the Richfield part on the "I Grew Up In Richfield" Facebook page so people could see how cool it had been in our hometown that day. I was certainly not prepared for the bigotry and vitriol that followed, and I'm still reeling from it. "That's BS!" "George Floyd was a thief!" "This kind of thing doesn't belong on this page!" were some of the awful comments in reaction to a short video of their community members marching along with a man who had just completed a huge, triumphant personal victory that was also global news. And now their backwards behavior will now also be a part of this global story. Willis had people cheering him on via his Facebook and Instagram feeds from around the world ... but Richfield, Minnesota residents didn't want to hear about it on their community page. UNREAL. I'm crushed. I've been back here taking care of my Mom for a year now, and I know I've been living in the Venice, California bubble for a long time, but I never thought there would be such racism in my now very diverse hometown. THEN I see that my post had been taken down, due to so many complaints about a Black man marching through Richfield for social justice. I'm disgusted, and of course, will no longer have my name associated with that intolerant page. The Administrator woman didn't bother to send me a message, but she sent Paul one for his post that said it was for people who grew up in Richfield, not politics. Well, guess what, lady? People are STILL growing up in Richfield, and it's sad that the one they're growing up in is like this, especially when old, white Spartans are hardly in the majority in town anymore.

I don't want to end on a negative note to what was such a positive and beautiful day, so I'll just say to every complainer on the Richfield page - I hope you can manage to GROW, because your way of thinking is past its expiration date. To Terry Willis and all of his supporters - WOW! POWERFUL! What a feat! CONGRATULATIONS! LOVE! SOLIDARITY! UNITY! We WILL make the change this country so clearly, so desperately needs. We have to.

ONE LOVE, EVERYBODY! Even you, old, white Spartans. May you join us in 2020 someday.

Minneapolis Marches - Beauty, Unity, Peace, and Terror: Sunday

Sunday morning dawned a stunningly beautiful day in Minneapolis. A beautiful day for a peaceful protest march. There were several planned, and after seeing how much unity and community there had been in the city on Saturday at the clean up, I felt comfortable and compelled to take part in the march organized for downtown Minneapolis Sunday afternoon. I'd been pacing our floors wanting to stand up for my people, and a little constricted due to my current role as caregiver to my Mom and brother. Daytime has meant peacetime every day of this ordeal we've been living since last Monday, so I was going.

I quickly drew up a "No Bail" sign to bring with me to U.S. Bank Stadium, where the "No Bail March" was going to go down. These are marches for justice for George Floyd, and the demand is that all four murderer police officers are arrested, without bail. This STILL has not been done, even though to not do so continues the unrest worldwide (THANK YOU, LA!) - and the MPD knows this full well. I parked on the outskirts of downtown, as in case things got crazy, I could get out of there easier. I walked the few blocks to the stadium, along with a stream of others dressed in the asked-for black, and carrying their own signs demanding justice.

There was a huge crowd gathered in the shadows of our Vikings stadium, and I was too far away to hear what the speakers were saying, but clapped and chanted along when it arose. Once again, helpers were everywhere, passing out waters, masks, hand sanitizer, buckets to pick up trash along the march route, and even pizzas. All for free, all for each other.

There was a moment of silence for Floyd, where everyone took a knee, and raised their fists in complete silence. Peace. Once the speakers were done, the march began through the streets of downtown Minneapolis. Honestly, it was like a giant, moving Bernie Sanders rally. All for one, and one for all. Every color, every age (babies in strollers to grannies in wheelchairs), all wanting to show that they stand up for justice together. Most everyone was wearing a mask so you couldn't tell that much what they looked like, but the eyes showed their good souls. Everyone was beyond polite, and all were in a great mood to inspire on a beautiful, summery Minnesota day.

The march was organized, and there was a specific route that journalists, officials, police and the National Guard all knew about. The roads had already been cleared (this is going to be very important later). We marched past City Hall, shouting George Floyd's name the entire way.

People on bikes and taking their Sunday strolls lined the streets, all shouting and raising their fists in solidarity (if not joining in themselves. Why?). The huge group turned on to Hennepin Avenue, heading for the Hennepin Bridge, this time shouting, "I CAN'T BREATHE!" - the last words spoken by Mr. Floyd. It was emotional. It was inspiring. It was beautiful to see.

Once on the bridge, there was another taking of the knee and total silence.

Like, you could hear a boat's engine going by on the Mississippi River below. Peace and unity and like minds together in the name of justice was one of the very most solemnly beautiful moments of my life, and I bet I can speak for just about everyone there.

Guys in a pickup truck were going through to give people icy cold water on this very hot day, and thanking everyone for being there, as they thanked them for the cool drink. Unity. Support. One Love.

The group then marched on down off the bridge, with honks from cars on adjacent streets honking along to show their support. Some girls were waving sage over the whole thing as we passed by (I hate that smell, but appreciate the cleansing sentiment). Others had the backs of their cars open, handing out snacks and drinks to anyone who wanted it. We turned on to University Avenue, heading for the 35W Bridge (the one that was rebuilt after the old one there collapsed). The freeway was cleared, as city officials knew this march was happening, and exactly what route it would take.

Marchers scrambled down the embankments on to the freeway, and it was pretty surreal to be surrounded by thousands of people on a major thoroughfare, all holding signs and unified in our mission. The bridge was the way back to the football stadium where the march had began. The idea was to cross the bridge, exit at Washington, and head back to the Skol ship to gather again to wrap up the day before curfew. It was SO beautiful to look across the water at our Minneapolis skyline, then turn around to see so many people of every make and style marching along together, chanting for justice - and more than determined to actually get it THIS time. Because THIS time, we have the whole world on our side.

There was another moment of silence there in the sunshine. A speaker far away from me was talking, and all I could make out from her speech, was "Isn't this BEAUTIFUL!?" Because it really was. We took another knee, we raised our fists, and we heard the silence of peace and reflection. And then, in the distance, we heard a horn. In an instant, people leaped to their feet and began running toward the edges of the bridge. No one knew what was happening at first because there were so many people. Then we saw it - a giant gas tanker coming down the freeway at full speed! I'm actually crying again as I type this, because it was so terrifying to think that people were about to be mowed down in this moment of peace, it was unreal!

I moved to the edge of the bridge, where so many people were crushing into that I felt my body being nearly pressed over the side, looking down at the water below. Everyone was trapped on a bridge over a river, and there was instant panic. I started yelling, "STAY CALM!" like a chant, and a few people near me joined in, and it kind of helped. We began to walk single file straight ahead, with the only goal being to get the hell off of the bridge. At this point, we all thought there must be tens of people killed and/or maimed, and people were sobbing openly. A woman with her baby in a stroller had a man in front of her yelling, "Let this baby through!" We just kept walking as calmly as possible, total strangers suddenly caring even more deeply about the person right next to them than they already had.

A fence had been flattened out so people could get over it and off the freeway faster, and that grassy area soon became full of the traumatized marchers from the bridge. We knew that the driver of the semi had been pulled out of the cab of his truck by the horrified marchers, but didn't know what had become of him then (we later heard that good people had surrounded Bogdan Vechirko and fully saved his life, so that he can be tried by the police - whatever good that will do. ), and that was scary too. No one wanted another death, especially at the hands of people who were out there trying so hard to do good, to demand justice, and to do so extremely peacefully. *I filmed none of this, as survival was more important.

Once gathered off of the freeway, people were shaking and crying and calling their loved ones, and so deeply sad that some psycho (He was. Don't argue with me. They're now saying he "panicked". Really? With thousands of people directly in front of you, you barrel straight at them?! The only panic was from the people fleeing from him. And maybe from him when he realized he was about to get the beating of a lifetime) had come along to wreck the vibe of what had been an absolutely perfect day of our city standing together in solidarity. I have questions. How did the truck get through to a designated march location? Why did the police you can see in the video do nothing to stop him? And REALLY WHY did the police than indiscriminately spray mace over people merely walking up the ramp away from the commotion? Peaceful, scared people were even more traumatized by jerk police who just can't stop being jerks! Mace? It was an organized march. We hadn't seen a single officer the whole day of PEACE, and the peace only stopped when they showed up. Again, BECAUSE OF THEM. THEY are WHY we were marching, and then they come along to totally wreck that too? There is such a disconnect in that operation, it's simply baffling. (Then, as we walked back to our cars, the cop choppers showed up with big, orange things of water to dump on the shaken people. Because they're so compassionate, and serve and protect so well). I'll say this. Yes, I know that there are some good cops. I have good friends who are cops - but I've even heard them say things that definitely let you know they treat Black people differently. I've been encouraged by the very few videos of police captains deciding to march with the People - like in Flint. But that is a rarity, and far too few good police make themselves known, and far too few of them stand up when their colleague has done something unthinkable ... as we're dealing with now. So, I'll just say this. If you are a good one - be better. SHOW us that you're better. Because after this last week, you don't have a lot of fans. Worldwide. You can and should do better because you took an oath to protect and serve, not murder and escalate the aftermath. Show us you ARE better this time by arresting the four who have so sullied your name, and by never allowing things like this - murder - to happen ever again. PLEASE.

Whatever. We won't be deterred. We WILL get justice. I would be right back out there again yesterday, even knowing how it ended up. Because I feel we MUST be. Lots of people I know don't feel that way (which is why I was there alone), but I will do even more work to make up for them, and hope that they will be enlightened by all of this too. George Floyd will not have died in vain, that much I know for sure. I KNOW that things will get better for people of all walks of life, simply because they must if we are ever to have peace again. No one is giving up. So racists are going to have to get over themselves, once and for all. The whole world agrees, and that's why you're seeing unrest across the globe, pandemic or not. Because citizens of the world all realize that we cannot continue how we have been. It's not working. Very clearly.

Some will say to "Vote" or call reps or do whatever stuff like that, and that's great. But it has historically not changed a thing. The only way we've ever seen change is by people standing up together against what is fundamentally wrong. That's what we're seeing now, and we're going to be so much better for it. Growth isn't easy, and it hurts a lot of the time ... but you learn. And you improve. And you maybe change the whole world.

This can end now. Arrest and convict all four murderers of George Floyd. Show that justice CAN be served in this nation. I've heard people say they're embarrassed that this is happening in Minnesota. I couldn't disagree more. How proud are we going to be when we know that racial inequality began its slow death march HERE in our beautiful, progressive, caring state? That WE made this better history! (People didn't like the people marching with MLK, Jr. at the time either, but I bet they wish they had now. History will very clearly show which was the right side to be on). That will be a wonderful legacy, one that we can all be an important part of. If you can find it in yourself to join the struggle for change. I'll be there, ready to stand side by side with you for a better world for us all.

Thanks and so much love to all the beautiful, wonderful, caring, empathic people I met and marched with yesterday. We are all better people for being there together, and we WILL overcome.

#JUSTICEFORGEORGEFLOYD #BLACKLIVESMATTER

Clogtown: Minnesota - All Are Welcome Here!

Man, it's been so nice - and such a relief! - to see little signs all over the Twin Cities about how everyone is welcome, everyone is accepted, that YOU are what makes our city and state great, and that here, we love our neighbors.

In recent days, there have been outrageous attacks by the joke of a President in office toward our Blue State's Senator, Ilhan Omar. I've never seen or heard or a sitting President being so classless and actually dangerous. It's disgusting, and Minnesota isn't having it.

Crowds came out to meet Omar at MSP Airport when she returned to town the other day, showing that we support her, and hate is not welcome here. I see little girls in full dress and hijabs playing in the sultry heat here, and know how very much it must mean to them to see this remarkable and brave woman representing them - and us all.

I read a quote from a woman the other day who said it was interesting (and sad) that "The Squad" of Democratic female Senators being told to "Go back where they came from" (disgusting racist speak) are considered "Radical Left", when they're just sticking up for what most developed countries already have. WE are the backwards country now. They are just trying to catch us up. Their ideas are not radical, they are humanist, and merely supporting basic human and civil rights (like health care, reproductive rights, and not putting kids in cages). It's time to grow the hell up as a nation. Well past time, in fact.

I'm proud of my home state of Minnesota for showing in yards, schools, businesses, bumper stickers, t-shirts, and by their own welcoming and "Minnesota Nice" conduct, that ALL are welcome here, as they are supposed to be in every part of this country.

SKOL! And TAKK!

Clogtown: All Square - Don't Judge, Just Eat!

The United States is a country of many problems, and while everyone complains about them, few are offering solutions. One major problem in this country is the mass incarceration and privatized jails that have kept generations of our citizens down - AFTER paying their debt to society. No one seems to want to hire ex-convicts, so they're often forced to commit crimes again just to put food on their tables. All Square in Minneapolis is trying to change that - and their solution is a baller grilled cheese restaurant (square sandwiches) staffed 100% by people who have served time (and are now square with society).

The brainchild of founder and civil rights attorney, Emily Hunt Turner, All Square's motto is "Don't judge, just eat!", and from the looks of it on the busy Friday evening that I was there, that's exactly what everyone was doing. Born out of another successful Kickstarter campaign in 2017, Hunt Turner's hope is to "empower those historically excluded, while dismantling the divides that are isolating and destabilizing communities nationwide" (so, another idea that can work everywhere, like Urban Forage).

Located on a sunny, tree-lined corner of Minnehaha Avenue (next to Adams Park at 41st Street), All Square is a bright, neighborhood spot with folks seated outside enjoying the late sunlight of summer. The workers (here called "Fellows") were all super friendly, hard working, and looked happy to be there. It was so busy that I didn't really get a chance to talk much to Hunt Turner, as I'd dropped in unannounced, and she was all the way in the mix, hauling buckets of ice, putting up umbrellas outside, and generally spinning all the Friday night plates of a popular restaurant.

I did speak to one of the fellows, Natalie, who had done time while waiting for her case's appeal - which was eventually dropped. Her serving any time, however, still made it hard to get a job. She heard about All Square, came in and applied, and is now happily making a living - as well as her own signature sandwiches whenever there's a lull. She was super cool, and I was happy for her that there is a place like this ... happy for anyone who needs it that there is a place like this, actually.

A mirrored sign inside says: A Response - to widespread exclusion of those impacted by the justice system. A Brand - that embodies social sustainability, racial justice, and economic inclusion. A Solution - fueled by law, entrepreneurship, social capital, and baller grilled cheese. That sums it up pretty neatly.

And those grilled cheese ARE baller. I had the jerk one, which has shredded jerk chicken, guava jam, and cheese, of course. YUM. There are several sandwiches to choose from, and no one looked mad at any of them. All are served with greens, and you're gonna want to order fries, also of course.

There is an "Institute and Dream Lab" next door, where mental health and wellness services are offered on site. The All Square fellows can also attend classes on personal and professional development, civil rights, and things like social media, marketing, and making budgets ... all stuff that can lead to even better jobs. The goal is not just to get these employees a paycheck, and not just to reduce the chances they'll go back to jail, but to create new leaders.

The whole operation reminds me a bit of my friend Brother Wayne Kramer's excellent organization, Jail Guitar Doors. They give guitars to inmates so that they might have that awesome skill when they get out, creating new opportunities for them when they get out. Again, it's good people coming up with actual solutions to help our fellow citizens, and it's a beautiful thing.

You can help too. You can donate to their cause. You can attend the play Floyd's at The Guthrie Theater on July 26th (one night only!). It's a story about formerly incarcerated men and women who rebuild their lives in a sandwich shop, and all proceeds will go to All Square. You can volunteer. Your business can sponsor them. And you can go and get your own delicious grilled cheese any Wednesday through Sunday at All Square. Neon lights and Civil Rights! And Los Angeles ... We need this too! Every city does.

*Shout out to Michelle Larson for another great story tip! Keep 'em coming, Mpls!

All Square
4047 Minnehaha Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55406
www.allsquarempls.com

The Incredible, Beautiful Women's March - Los Angeles!

The Women's March on Los Angeles took place on last Saturday, and it was one of the most incredible, beautiful experiences of my life. 750,000 women and the people who love them took to the streets of downtown Los Angeles to make our voices heard, to stand up for social justice for EVERYONE, and to show that we are all about love. My heart swells anew just thinking about that glorious day.

My friends and I had attended the Anti-Inaugural Ball with Prophets Of Rage the night before, and got a room at the Ace Hotel so we could stay over and not have to deal with getting into downtown the next morning. This turned out to be an extra-smart decision, as the lines to get on trains and buses were hours long, if you could get on at all. We got up to go down and have breakfast, and were delighted to see that the lobby was FULL of people dressed in pink and carrying their hilarious, pointed signs of protest and solidarity. It was already excellent before we even stepped out on to the sidewalk.

Our gang all met in the lobby, took some group photos, and then headed out to the start of the march at 6th and Hill streets. Before long, we were sandwiched in by several thousand people deep on all sides. The remarkable thing about the entire day was the love and support given and felt by everyone. It was extra polite, extra compassionate, and overwhelmingly wonderful all day long. It's not easy to stand in one place for so long, and the only complaints I heard all day had to do with full bladders. One guy in the crowd declared that on this day all bathrooms were for ladies first. Bless him.

We stood at Pershing Square and listened to speakers for so long (Venice's own Lydia Ponce among them!) that the  crowd began to chant, "Let's March, Let's March!" only to find out that we couldn't march forward at all because the City Hall area we were meant to be marching to was already full of thousands, so there was nowhere for us to go. Rivers of humanity began to branch off into all the streets and alleys, flowing as close as we could toward the general area of City Hall, chanting all the way.

The signs were so clever, witty, and creative that we were pointing them out and cracking up all day. Someone absolutely has to make a book of them all compiled, as one was better than the next. I loved the one that said "I'm with Her" and had arrows pointing out in a circle around it to all of us. There was so much solidarity and love flowing through the city, that I caught myself choking and tearing up about every five minutes or so. People shared their snacks, made way for people to get through, gave each other shirts and stickers and fun stuff, and generally smiled ear to ear in awe of it all. There are some who say marches don't matter, but to anyone who was there, they know better. We know that the entire world is watching, and that they saw who we really are on this wonderful day. That the good in us vastly outweighs the abysmal. That we will stand up and speak out against prejudice and hate. That love will always prevail and that the People will always have the Power. And the entire World had our back, showing out in nearly every country in solidarity, even down in the Antarctica!

My gang never got close enough to the City Hall stage to hear those celebrity speakers and bands, but I heard all about it, and it sounded cool, but we were more than happy to see the regular, everyday people all in it together. I was impressed at the number of men marching together in support, and particularly loved one young man who wore a jacket emblazoned on the back with "She Is We!" Amen. Awomen.

The day was exhausting, but spirits never once lagged. When starvation began to set in, and the sun began to set, we stopped into a pizza place to grab a slice to tide us over for the journey back home. It took forever, as most everything did on this day of the incredible turnout that no one could have expected. Once we got our slices (burnt, after twice asking about them), I heard a young, black man in line yelling that he wanted his money back, that he'd been ignored twice, and was not leaving until he got his money back. He was upset, and it was the first inkling of any bad mojo I saw or heard all day. That didn't sit right with me, so I went over and asked him if I could help. He went off, chest all high and amped up, about how he'd asked twice for his calzone and they were ignoring him because he was black, and he wanted his money back. I told him that we too had waited long and asked twice, and that it really had to do with how crazy busy the day was, and nothing to do personally with him, I was sure. He eased up a bit, and I told him that we're all in this together, and the message I took from the day most was that we all need to look out for each other now, more than ever. I hugged him, and when I pulled away, he looked a little teary, and said, "That was really brave." I didn't feel that way at all, I just really felt like we're all one. It's about time we start acting like we're just one race, the HUMAN RACE. I think we both walked away from it feeling a little better about it all.

That's what the entire day was about, really. Making us feel a little better about it all. Letting us know that the People hold the power. That Love will always trump Hate, every time. I truly hope you got to be at a March in whatever city you're close to, because it was one of the most beautiful examples of humanity that I've ever been a part of ... that the WORLD has ever been a part of. And it MATTERED.

Venice had a strong showing at the March, as I ran into friends all day, even in the crowd of nearly a million like-minded Los Angelenos. There was not a single arrest among 750,000 people gathered together in tight circumstances. I only saw one traffic officer all day. No one was hurt. It was all love, as you would expect from an event organized by and for Women. The torrential rain we're finally getting took a day off and gave us the brightest, bluest skied day possible, only to return to downpours the next. It felt divine, and as a friend of mine said, "God knows what She's doing."

Eternal thanks and love to all who came together for the outpouring of love and strength that was the largest protest march in American history. It doesn't stop here. We must stay vigilant. We must stay united. We must resist hate and prejudice wherever it rears its ugly head, and we've got our work cut out for us with that one, for sure. We must always act with love.

ONE LOVE!!!