Granny D Memorial Walk

Granite Staters across the political spectrum took steps to strengthen our democracy, and honor Granny D's legacy, at this year’s Granny D Memorial walk Saturday, August 13, 2022. 

The walk began near Granny D’s home, where Dave Daley, author of Unrigged: How Americans Are Battling Back to Save Democracy, sent the marchers off with words that echoed Granny D: “democracy is an action. It is a verb.”

And so the group set out to take action, walking to fix democracy, as how in 1999 Granny D set out to walk 3200 miles across the United States to raise the issue of money in politics. The messages on signs held showed the intersectionality of the issue today; messages to strengthen democracy for a healthy environment, for racial equality, and for the livelihoods of future generations. Some held signs that encouraged onlookers simply to use their power, and vote.

After the ~6 mile journey, the walk ended in Depot Square, Peterborough, where walkers were greeted with music from FolkSoul Duo. Francie von Mertens, Grace Aldrich, and Rick Hubbard shared memories of Granny D, and stories of hope for our democracy. The walk was also a celebration of Rick Hubbard’s own walk across the country, Walking to Fix Democracy, that he will start October 1. His journey is available at www.fixourdemocracy.us

Granny D showed the country the incredible power of everyday people to make positive change. The problem Granny D highlighted, the power of wealthy special interest groups to sway elected officials who should only be accountable to the voters, continues to this day. Those who shared the road Saturday understood that we cannot take our democracy for granted, and that we must do democracy, with actions daily, weekly, to achieve a democracy that works for us all.