A Day at the Hands Off Protest: Unity in Diversity

This past Saturday, April 5, I went to the Hands Off Protest with four other women. At 82, I was flanked at one end by a 65 and 75 year-old and at the other end by two 83 year-olds. With our hats on to protect us from the midday sun, we boarded a bus. In 20 minutes, we were moving along with a crowd toward the gathering in downtown Raleigh. We walked beside young families with children in carriages or riding on parents’ shoulders or skipping to keep up with the pace of the crowd. While the majority trekked on with ease, a scattering, both old and young, had canes, electric scooters or were pushed in wheelchairs. Dogs on leashes quietly followed their human companions.   

As we approached the rally site, voices from the crowd chanted “hands off.” We landed behind the stage as older women began to sing something about “grandmas” being in charge—the words I couldn’t make out. However, the laughter and clapping from the audience proved their act was enjoyed. 

Since two of us hadn’t brought water, we took off to search around the periphery for the promise of free bottled water. The only loudspeakers were by the main stage. For over an hour, we observed the attendees, took pictures of the posters, engaged with our fellow protesters, and managed to avoid overheating. 

We had made the effort to attend the rally. Our age didn’t register a notice. We were one with our fellow attendees—a common mission: hands off our Constitution, democracy, jobs, Medicare, social security, schools, libraries, health care, relationships with allies, free speech, retirement funds, etc., etc., etc. 

We were counted. 

It was time to beat the crowd to the lunch spot we had chosen.