Yesterday, hundreds of families, youth, workers, advocates, and community leaders gathered at the End Child Poverty CA & SEIU CA’s annual IMAGINE Rally at the State Capitol to send a clear message to California leaders: our state must choose children, choose families, and choose a future where everyone can thrive.

At a moment when federal attacks threaten critical supports for children, immigrants, and working families, rally attendees stood together in solidarity and hope, demanding bold action to protect California’s social safety net, invest in whole-family supports, defend immigrant communities, and create a fair tax system that works for everyone.

The energy throughout the day was powerful and deeply rooted in community. Chants of “Listen to the kids!” echoed through the crowd as families and advocates called on state leaders to act with courage and compassion.

“What’s for lunch? Food Justice!” became one of the rally’s rallying cries, highlighting the urgent need to protect nutrition assistance programs like CalFresh from devastating federal cuts.

Speakers reminded the crowd that California has the power and responsibility to lead the nation by putting families first.

Jennifer Greppi, Director of Parent Policy with Parent Voices California, delivered one of the day’s most energizing messages:

“We are going to unrig the system.”

Greppi spoke about the importance of pursuing progressive revenue solutions, including closing corporate tax loopholes like the water’s edge election through AB 1790, authored by Assemblymember Connolly.

“This bill offers an opportunity for $4 billion,” Greppi said. “That could be going to our families but is currently being lost.”

She continued:

“Are we going to demand that we close that loophole? Are we going to make sure that we unrig the California tax system? We are going to unrig the system.”

The crowd erupted in applause as families, youth, labor leaders, and advocates stood united around a shared vision for California’s future.

End Child Poverty CA President & CEO Shimica Gaskins reminded us: this movement is about dignity, belonging, and ensuring every child has joy, safety, and possibility, not just survival. We organize with courage because every family deserves to thrive.

This movement is bigger than one policy.
It’s about dignity.
It’s about belonging.
It’s about whether we believe every child deserves not just to survive but have joy, stability, safety, and possibility.

End Child Poverty CA President & CEO Shimica Gaskins

Attendees also called on Governor Gavin Newsom, Senator Monique Limón, and Speaker Robert Rivas to take bold action during the state budget process and reject harmful cuts that would push more families into hunger and hardship.

California can prevent hunger for more than half a million Californians who are at risk of losing CalFresh benefits because of cruel federal HR 1 cuts. Rally participants emphasized that the state must continue fighting for Food For All and protecting immigrant and low-income communities from devastating policy decisions.

The rally also highlighted solidarity with Speaker Robert Rivas, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Assemblymember Corey Jackson, Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, and legislative leaders working to defend CalFresh in the final state budget negotiations.

After the rally, advocates, parents, youth leaders, and community members headed into legislative meetings to bring the energy and urgency of IMAGINE 2026 directly to lawmakers and their staff.

Families shared personal stories about the real impacts of hunger, housing instability, and economic hardship and why California must protect critical programs like CalFresh and invest in policies that allow all children to thrive.

Participants urged legislators to reject harmful cuts, support progressive revenue solutions like closing the water’s edge tax loophole, and prioritize policies that strengthen families and communities across the state.

These conversations were a powerful reminder that when directly impacted families lead, policymakers listen. Together, advocates made it clear: Californians are organized, united, and ready to fight for a budget that reflects our values.

Throughout the day, one message remained clear: California’s future depends on whether we are willing to invest in children and families.

This movement is about values.

It’s about ensuring every child has food on the table, every family has the support they need, and every community has the opportunity to thrive.

Together, IMAGINE 2026 showed what’s possible when Californians come together to demand a more just, equitable, and compassionate future.

Choose children. Choose families. Choose California’s future.