Why Hands Off:2 was canceled and May 4th had to stop promoting (temporarily)

Mission Statement:
“In an era of growing political unrest and uncertainty, Rescue Our Democracy is dedicated to protecting the foundation of our republic: the people’s voice. We believe that no cause—whether civil rights, economic justice, climate action, or bodily autonomy—can truly succeed unless democracy itself is safeguarded. Through education, organization, and action, we provide protest information, resources, and a platform for coordinated efforts across Iowa. We empower individuals to stand up, speak out, and demand accountability from those in power. Because without democracy, no other fight will matter.”

Judy T., rescueourdemocracy.com Founder

In launching RescueOurDemocracy.com, I set out to offer something simple and needed: a way to support and coordinate protest efforts in Iowa and nationally. “Give me your event info, I’ll promote it! You don’t even have to log in to do it, just post it somewhere it’s visible, I got the rest!” was the initial idea. As someone disabled and working alone, I wasn’t looking to lead an event other than the May 4th idea—just to make sure Iowa had a voice. When I couldn’t find any protest listed for our state, I created a placeholder. It wasn’t elaborate yet—as seen by the poster placeholder used, and it was never about taking the spotlight. It was about making sure we showed up.

My original post for April 19, simply said I hadn’t had success finding local events and invited them to share any upcoming events so I could amplify them. That offer proof remains, visible in my uneditable posts on Bluesky and my website. All calls for rescueourdemocracy.com’s protest on April 19th, after finding this out, were deleted to not cause confusion and replaced with a pinned apology and directing people to the 50501 supported protest.

From the beginning, I publicly stated that if another group had something planned, I would take mine down. I even attempted to confirm with others, leaving voicemails and messages—which weren’t returned. I didn’t say that, I just said my attempts weren’t successful yet, in a reply to a comment, figuring that we all were just missing each other. Instead, I was publicly accused of trying to cause “division” or mislead, both online and in Signal chat groups connected to Iowa organizing coalitions.

I prefer talking in-person or phone/voice. In those forms of communication, you can hear tones and inflections that can completely change the meaning of text communication. If there’s a phone # listed, I am calling it first. I am not going to badger them. I will call, wait a day, try again…was going to wait until after the April 19th protest to start with the emails. I was going to try to find them at the protest instead, to try and talk in person.

Comment in Question

The Responses

Let’s be honest: saying someone “isn’t telling the truth” is calling them a liar. That’s a strong accusation—especially against someone you haven’t spoken to. It was not only inaccurate, it was avoidable. One call—one returned voicemail—could’ve solved everything. And when I finally did get a call from a representative from the 50501 protest, within five-minutes that phone call cleared up everything. She immediately understood I wasn’t trying to interfere—I was trying to help.

It was thought I was possibly a MAGA agitator. Which I most definitely am not.

The moment I confirmed their event existed, I removed everything I had posted publicly when I got home from out of town—flyers, banners, announcements—and promoted their official protest instead.

Then, ironically, the very next day, Newsweek published an article listing protest locations nationwide… and my cancelled Iowa event was included. I hadn’t submitted it. I had already taken it down everywhere but where I couldn’t search for it on pol-rev. I hadn’t even been able to find my event listing on my own browser searches before that article ran. I didn’t think anyone else could either. But there it was—published after the accusations, and after I had tried to do the right thing.

I issued an apology directly to the iowacoalition/50501 representative after the Newsweek article. Meanwhile, those who attacked me haven’t said a word—not to me, not to the public. No acknowledgment, no apology. My attempt at a new group and my name were dragged, shared in social media and group chats, and undermined publicly. I’ve spent more time apologizing for trying to help than I ever thought possible.

People who weren’t responsible apologized to me.

I’m not trying to dominate the space. I was not here to create drama. I’m trying to build something that helps others take action. But I can’t do it alone—and I definitely can’t do it while being shut out based on false assumptions.

This isn’t a movement if we tear each other down for trying to stand up. I won’t be a part of that.

Solidarity requires communication. Accountability goes both ways.
We can’t rescue our democracy if we can’t even communicate effectively, apologize for making assumptions and acting poorly from them.

I was told I shouldn’t try to do a protest on my own, from the national 50501, relayed through the representative in Iowa.

I asked for apologies before today’s’ protest, they are aware I am posting something, if I didn’t receive them. Which I did not. I was going to work with them after today’s protest, thinking I would have been apologized to.

From my point of view, I didn’t do anything to deserve this treatment. I should have been apologized to directly, the moment they were informed they were mistaken.

I have no idea where to go from here.

— Rescue Our Democracy

***EDIT 4.23.2025*** Still no apology, moving forward with May 4th protest. Moving forward with finding groups who actually do want to work together, not just advertise that they do.

***EDIT 4.26.2025*** Apology received from 50501 Iowa Coalition, but not the original agitators. I do know where to go from here….Moving ONWARD.

***EDIT 4.30.2025*** Due to not understanding how commenting on a website works and how the site has to be protected, or use of a VPN, ROD will be moving forward to seek building relationships with those who want to work with us and understand these basics.