It’s hard to believe it’s already been 10 days since our epic We the People 250 march in DC, on July 4th. I am so proud of our team and am grateful to all who showed up, pitched in, and allied with us. It took many months of work that made it possible, and it was perseverance plus 23 years of lessons learned in activism that helped us pull off the near-impossible. 

Despite brutal heat, high security in a locked down National Mall, and Neo-Nazis terrorizing people, to facilitate a beautiful experience for hundreds of brave folks who want something better for the future.

By working together, we made it abundantly clear that the vision, power, and resolve to create a more perfect union is alive and ascendant. Our work builds upon a history of struggle. It acknowledges and takes accountability for our nation’s past failings. And it seeks to guarantee that the Declaration’s claims for universal rights means We the People includes everyone. By affirming these principles, our celebration of this country’s 250th birthday points the way toward a future truly worthy of our children.

Besides the amazing 6 months of work by volunteers on Vashon to create this imagery, the heavy lift of preparation and execution was mainly done by the 15-person Backbone team of volunteers who traveled to DC. They worked for days prepping the imagery and gearing up to overcome whatever obstacles were erected in our path - and then they wrapped it all up -1050 lbs (!) - to ship back home.

We hope you’ll share the below photos - more are at our Flickr site.  Thank you to Brady Dindia for capturing this video of the beautiful action on July 4th. She wrote,

"It was absurdly hot in D.C. yesterday, but we all still showed up for the We the People 250 March. We carried the We the People banner and hundreds of feet of signature panels containing the signatures of hundreds of thousands of people from all over the United States. The We the People banner is an original artwork that is a replica of the preamble four constitution. Were were there to proclaim our belief that We the People means everybody, that our nation is rooted in the rule of law, and that our rights and freedoms are enshrined in our constitution and apply to everyone, not just who the powerful feel are deserving. Ours was a message of inclusion and protection, unlike that other group that is garnering all of the media attention."

What’s next?  We are taking a bit of time off to recover.  In the fall, we plan to tour We the People, with the new Procession for the Future banners, in regions across the country. Want to help arrange something in your community or region? Email us and let’s keep the movement growing.

Forward Together!

Bill Moyer, Backbone Campaign Executive Director

PS We can still use your help supporting and taking next steps. Please pitch in at: https://www.backbonecampaign.org/wtpdonate