Post submitted by Daniel Ball, HRC Mississippi Field Organizer.

HRC’s Project One America team had the opportunity to attend one of the largest and most progressive conferences in our country, “Netroots Nation.” The weekend began with opening seminars and plenaries that engaged political and grassroots leaders with community organizers from all over the country.  HRC collaborated with other progressive organizations in the South to hold a panel discussion titled, "Y'all Means All: Fighting for LGBTQ Equality in the South." HRC’s Project One America Director Ben Needham spoke eloquently about HRC’s ability to strategically organize for action in southern, red states and the importance of partnering with local organizations in this work.

The vibes and energy of the conference were positively motivating. The vast majority of Netroots Nation 2017 was nothing short of phenomenal. However, during the conference, the Charlottesville rallies and protests that unfortunately led to the death of peaceful protestor, Heather Heyer, occurred.

Immediately after, community leaders and organizers from across the country came together to organize a rally and march for hundreds of people in response to this tragedy. Led by civil rights icon Dolores Huerta, the rally made national news and symbolized solidarity and resistance against bigotry and hate. It was amazing to stand alongside so many warriors and soldiers of peace as part of that resistance. Netroots Nation is by far one of the best education opportunities on advocacy that I’ve had and I’m so proud that the HRC Project One America team could be a part of it.