The Hands-Off protest was a powerful reminder of our collective voice. We showed up. We spoke out. We made headlines. But now that the signs are down and the chants have quieted, we’re faced with a vital question: what’s next?

The truth is, real change doesn’t end with a march — it begins with what we do afterward. Protest without follow-through is just a photo op. If we want policies to shift, systems to evolve, and communities to thrive, we have to stay engaged long after the rally ends.

Here’s what that looks like:

1. Attend School Board Meetings

Our children’s education is being shaped every single day by decisions made in rooms most people never enter. Curriculum changes, funding decisions, disciplinary policies — they all happen at school board meetings. Your voice matters there. Show up. Ask questions. Demand transparency.

2. Be Present at City and County Board Meetings

Local government is where national headlines begin. Whether it’s public safety, housing policy, transportation, or how tax dollars are spent — city councils and county boards make decisions that directly affect our daily lives. Public comment is more than just a formality. It’s your chance to be heard. Use it.

3. Write to Your Elected Officials

It takes five minutes to send an email or make a call, and it can shift how someone votes. Don’t underestimate that. City council members and county commissioners need to hear from us — not just when there’s a crisis, but consistently. Let them know where you stand and what your community needs.

4. Organize from the Ground Up

Change doesn’t start in Congress — it starts on your block. Talk to your neighbors. Build coalitions. Host community meetings. Form or join local advocacy groups. When we organize at the grassroots level, we build power that lasts.

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Community Is Where the Movement Lives

The Hands-Off protest was not a finale — it was a beginning. Let’s not wait for another emergency to get involved. The systems we want to fix rely on our absence. So let’s show up, speak out, and stay engaged — not just for a day, but for the long haul.

Because real organizing doesn’t happen just in the streets — it happens in school gyms, town halls, and living rooms across the country. And it starts with you.