Forty years ago this month — May 25, 1986 — good people from across this great nation came together in massive numbers to support Hands Across America.
We were promised freedom and prosperity, not a nightmare. So, does anybody know what time it is? It's time to demand our rights and petition our government to act.
What was Hands Across America? An estimated 5 million people formed a human chain over 4,000 miles long, raising awareness for hunger and homelessness across the U.S. Produced by USA for Africa — the group behind "We Are the World" — and organized by the late activist Ken Kragen, the event drew celebrities like Michael Jackson and Oprah Winfrey. But its real power came from everyday citizens. The grassroots movement raised over $34 million in pledges and proved something vital: national unity and compassion are possible, even across great distances.
Now it's our turn. We the people can do it again. Skip the middlemen and donate directly to your local house of worship and organize around your neighborhoods. This great nation needs us now more than ever.
What can one person do? EVERYONE CAN. 👍
📧 cityimages3@gmail.com | iMAGINUS
Please share a short video or send a text encouraging others to give directly to their local house of worship.
🎥 Watch the original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnA0uYL4YtI 📁 Archive footage: https://archive.org/details/Hands_Across_America_HH_1986-05-25 (FF to 8:33 or 10:48)
#CityImages has reached out to Emma Kragen Ken Kragen's daughter, LA-based cinematographer, and co-founder of Zemma Productions and hopes to hear back soon.