Thousands gathered at Lake Merritt yesterday to peacefully protest racism, sexism, Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination and cruelty. At 3:45, I held hands with people I’d never met and we collectively hoped for a better world, with many ideas floated for taking action.

I remember marching against the Iraq war and in support of or in protest of many other causes. This time feels different; never has the idea of dissent being stifled felt quite this real and immediate.