By Imara Canady, National Director, Community Engagement & Communications, AHF
On the eve of America’s 250th birthday, thousands of concerned Americans, from across the country, descended upon Fort Lauderdale on July 3, 2026, for the We The People March for Freedom. Taking place in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale a brief rally kicked off the event at Esplanade Park, which featured a diverse array of national and local program participants, including American labor leader and activist, Dolores Huerta, Haitian American activist Santra Denis, Healthcare advocate Alecia Tramel-McIntyre, Gen Z activist Maxx Fenning, and AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) President/CEO Michael Weinstein. Immediately following the rally, attendees marched through the streets of downtown Fort Lauderdale, returning to the park to culminate the event with a powerful musical performance by award-winning gospel artist Erica Campbell.
Initially launched in 2023, the We The People coalition is a growing movement of organizations, advocates, and community members coming together to defend human rights and demand a more just future. Representing diverse communities from across Florida, current coalition members include:
- Afro Pride
- AQUA
- Avanse Ansanm
- Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC)
- BLINC
- Broward House
- Decrim 305
- Dolphin Democrats
- Dream Defenders
- Equality Florida
- Faith in Florida
- Financial Tea
- FLIC (Florida Immigrant Coalition)
- Florida Coalition to Advance Racial Equity
- Florida Rising
- FLUX
- HIV Health Advocacy and Education
- HIV Possible
- Hope Community Center
- Hope & Action Broward County
- Human Rights Campaign
- IMPULSE Group
- Indivisible Wilton Manors
- Joyful Resistance South Florida
- Latinos in Florida Local Government
- LatinosSalud
- League of Women Voters Broward County
- Miami Beach Community Health Center
- National Forum for Black Public Administrators – South Florida Chapter
- NMAC
- No Reservations
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. – Eta Nu & Zeta Nu Nu Chapters
- Palm Beach County Human Rights Council
- Positive People Network
- Pridelines
- PRISM
- SAVE
- Social Change
- SOMOS Loud
- SPARK
- SunServe
- The Pride Center
- The Robin Foundation
- Transinclusive Group
- UJIMA
- United Church of Christ – Fort Lauderdale
- Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Miami
- Urban League of Broward County Young Professionals
- We Count!
“At a time in our nation when healthcare is being rationed and rents are outpacing wages; teachers are working second jobs and rural hospitals are closing, we must continue to stand up for what’s right for all Americans. July 4, 2026, marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence. The We the People March for Freedom is not just an event to celebrate this document or its declaring independence, but the night before the fireworks, to remind America what and who it’s for,” stated Esteban Wood, AHF Director of Advocacy and Legislative Affairs and March for Freedom coordinator.
To learn more about the We the People March for Freedom and become engaged in the movement, visit www.wtpmarch.org .
