Young people in this country have a lot of power. And we're not afraid to use it. 

Gen Z and millennials make up 37% of the electorate. For many Black, Indigenous and people of color in this country, what happens in November is a matter of life and death. So we have a duty to use our voices and our votes to help build a peaceful, equitable America that works for everyone. 

That's why we traveled across the country, creating large scale art interventions in major cities to help get out the vote, and held parallel digital rallies on the topic of gun violence and how it intersects with issues like racial justice, immigration reform, healthcare, and economic inequality. 

Here's a little more detail on what the Our Power In The States ARTivism series was like... 

We kicked off in Miami, where we discussed immigrant justice with our partners, the Dream Defenders, United We Dream, Change the Ref, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, and Voto Latino. Inspired by the distinct style of Miami Beach, we put our message up in neon lights. ¡Sí SE PUEDE, VOTA!

Onto Atlanta! We honored the life and legacy of Civil Rights icon John Lewis by installing mini voter registration centers across the city that were inspired by neighborhood library boxes. We worked with local artists to create beautiful boxes that help people get registered and ready to vote by mail by providing stamps, envelopes, and the proper forms. 

We went to Raleigh next and worked with the super-talented William Paul Thomas to create a powerful mural of Ella Baker that our organizers covered with voter registration forms in pre-stamped envelopes.

Next up, Philadelphia, where our organizers worked with artist Melissa Maddonni Haims to create a sculpture of an American flag unraveling on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art -- a symbol of gun violence, police brutality, and consistent attacks on the most marginalized that are unraveling our democracy before our very eyes.

We traveled to Houston, where we worked with local florists to create unique pieces across the city because voting is beautiful. We created floral "Go Vote" signs and voting booths draped in flowers and foliage to get people to stop, look, and register.

Next up was Phoenix. As a protest against the cruel and unjust detainment of immigrants in ICE detention, we installed papel picado all along the fences of the central Arizona ICE center. Janet Diaz and Daniel Gonzalez helped create a powerful message to show that we're tired of the unjust targeting of immigrants in this country. "Your vota, your voice" -- and we're voting people out of office who spend their time spreading hate.

In Detroit, organizers worked alongside local artists Dalia Reyes and Sabrina Nelson to create a powerful mural of Detroit philosopher, writer, and activist Grace Lee Boggs. She participated in social movements that brought about monumental change in this country, like the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power Movement. It's because of courageous people like her that young folks like us can do what we do now.

While in Denver, we remembered the life of Elijah McClain. His life mattered, and he should be alive today. Time and time again, the police have made it clear that they aren't on the side of the people. Police violence IS gun violence -- there's no way around it. We demand that our officials divest from the police and invest those resources back into our communities.

Our Power in the States ended in Milwaukee -- one of the cities at the center of this summer's social unrest due to police brutality and the use of state-sanctioned violence at the hands of the National Guard. It was in Kenosha, Wisconsin, less than an hour away from Milwaukee, that Jacob Blake was severely injured after being shot in the back seven times.

We want to give a massive shout out to so many of our chapter members and the artists who worked to make this happen. We're following covid guidelines, so this series is only possible because we have young people all across the country who are working tirelessly to make their own communities safer and to make this election count. If you can, please consider supporting our voter registration work -- we've got a lot planned leading up to November 3!

We're making our voices heard and making sure our demands are met. See more photos of the tour and keep up with the work we're doing by following us on Instagram. As always, thanks for your support. Seriously, we couldn't do this without you.

Jaclyn Corin 
Co-Founder
March For Our Lives