By Riley Spencer
Love Forward Together is a moral and civic movement rooted in the belief that love, justice, and collective action can transform communities. Emerging amid political division and social uncertainty, the movement calls on North Carolinians to unite around shared values of fairness, equality, and opportunity. Rather than reacting to opposition, Love Forward Together promotes proactive engagement, encouraging people to participate in democracy and advocate for policies that uplift all communities.
Love Forward Together began in Wilson, North Carolina, on February 11, 2026, and concluded at the North Carolina State Capitol on February 14, 2026. The march was a powerful act of civic mobilization aimed at energizing voters across the state in support of progressive causes. Participants gathered to advocate for expanded voting rights, living wages, immigrant rights, and strong public education systems. At its core, the movement seeks to protect and expand access to the ballot, raise wages to support working families, end poverty, strengthen public schools, and ensure healthcare for all people regardless of income or background.
Throughout the march, participants carried signs promoting freedom, justice, immigrant and low-income rights, and LGBTQIA+ equality. Many signs also displayed hopeful and affirming messages designed to inspire unity rather than division. As they traveled across communities, marchers chanted “Love Forward Together,” a slogan that serves as both a rallying cry and a guiding principle. The phrase reflects a broader moral, social, and political vision in North Carolina, often associated with leaders such as Rev. Dr. William Barber II, who emphasizes faith-based advocacy and ethical responsibility in public life.
The movement’s momentum shifted from a single march to a living network, one that encouraged North Carolinians to meet challenges with collaboration, courage, and a shared vision of justice, opportunity, and love.
