The Promise of America

“The Promise of America”   -Deb

Friends —

We stand here today not just for ourselves, but for our neighbors, for our community.

The law was never meant to be a weapon — it was meant to be a shield.

A shield for the weak, the poor, the forgotten.  A promise that no matter your name, the color of your skin, or where you were born, you would be seen, heard, and judged by truth, by evidence — not by fear and loathing.

But that promise is cracking.

We see people taken off the streets, out of their homes, out of their workplaces without proof, held without hearing, judged without defense.

We see the scales of justice tipping toward power,

Instead of balanced by principle.

The rule of law — that old phrase we hear in dusty civics books — it’s not just words.

It’s the thin line between order and tyranny.

It’s what keeps the powerful honest and the powerless protected.

And when we let that line blur — when we look away — we put everyone at risk.

Injustice never stops at just one door. It knocks on ALL of them eventually.

We are not asking for privilege — we are demanding fairness.

We are not asking for mercy — we are demanding proof.

If there is evidence, let it be seen.  If there are charges, let them be heard.

If there are laws, they must apply to everyone — the rich, the poor, the native-born, the newcomer, all alike.

Due process is not a luxury for the few.  It is the heartbeat of freedom itself.

So don’t stand silent.

Don’t look away. Speak. March. Write. Vote.

Do whatever you can – the MOST you can do – to remind this nation that the rule of law is not a slogan: it’s the promise that keeps us free.

R is for [THE RULE OF LAW] – E is for [EQUAL PROTECTION] – D is for [DUE PROCESS].

That’s not politics.  That’s the promise of America.  And in the wise words of America’s Mayor – Zohran Mamdani – to get to ONE of us, you have to go through ALL of us.

The Handmaids of MN want to thank you all for coming today, out in the cold, and for all your generous donations for Neighborhood House.  We also want to give huge thanks to our speakers and partners and friends:

· Representative Kristin Bahner and Senator Bonnie Westlin

· Our musical guest, Serenity

· Sam from Little Lobbyists

· Kate from ERA MN

· Miss Mari for spoken word poetry

· Kristen from MN_AAC

· Alicia from 50501

· our marshals and medics

· Kennedy for stage management

· 50501 Minnesota

· Metro CD8 DFL

· Mercado Media and all the press for coverage of this event

· Ally and Bella for staffing our food drive collection table and 

· Amy from Neighborhood House for coordinating our food drive

· Dan from for photography

· Nick for sound and music

· Wes for planning and guidance

· Garrett for livestreaming

· and of course, ALL of your Handmaids of MN