My 12 year old says she doesn’t feel well and is not going to march. Her sister says the same thing and their brother says they must go. He yells at them, “All our rights are at stake!” After a few minutes of yelling to get into the car we are off! My husband is driver for the day—he drops us off at the Women’s March in Chicago and is available if we need him. In the car, we regroup.  I read my friend Rebecca’s article out-loud and we talk about how history proves that being silent is being part of the problem and how as Jews we can never be silent because when one person’s rights are threatened, all are threatened. We can never take freedom for granted.

We get to the rally. We get pins that say, “Girl Power” and “Love Trumps Hate” and other slogans that I won’t write here…. The kids are excited to be a part of this historic event, proud to be speaking up and out! Periodically, my son spontaneously yells into the crowd “I’m mad as hell and we aren’t going to take it anymore!!” He gets applause and high-fives. He smiles and keeps on walking. My daughters chant about immigration rights and each feels free enough to shout her own slogans about rights and freedom and we walk together with hundreds of thousands of people. My kids know they are doing the right thing. They are moved by participating in democracy. They even have a group hug. I repeat: my children hug each other. Although I am angry that we have to be marching in the first place, yesterday was one of the best days I can remember.