We are living through a period of authoritarian power in our country that is rapidly consolidating and strengthening. The dominating politics of hate, fear, greed, and division are violating our shared values and tearing our country and democracy apart. We exist in a constant state of emergency, and we must decide that now is our time to act in a new way. The Standing With Our Neighbors project is an all-encompassing movement based in our values shaped by our beliefs and life experience. We care for our neighbors and we are using our voices to stand with them and against those who would harm them – and our democracy.

For the Des Moines Public Witness, here are the ACTIONS OF HOPE and CALL TO ACTION.

Isaiah Minnesota is organizing Palm Sunday events across the country in the hopes of creating a movement for change against authoritarianism and for protecting our democracy. Twenty actions in ten states will take place on Palm Sunday 2026, including two in Iowa! And the movement will continue and build from there. Learn more at https://www.palmsunday2026.com.

‍The Palm Sunday Public Witness is part of the Standing With Our Neighbors project. Shaped by the call in Matthew 25 to care for our neighbors, it is an action specific to Christian communities to leverage the power and privilege of Christians in our society and to take advantage of the Palm Sunday message around public witness. The Palm Sunday Public Witness will include a march, a gathering with elements of worship, and a sending forth with a Call to Action.

Palm Sunday Public Witness
Sunday, March 29
Des Moines & Iowa City

Des Moines

2:30 PM | March from Capitol Hill Lutheran Church (511 Des Moines Street, Des Moines) to the statehouse.
3:00 PM | Grounded in Matthew 25, the public witness continues at the statehouse with music, the Word, a CALL TO ACTION to Stand with Our Neighbors, and ACTIONS OF HOPE.

The event will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.

FAQs FOR DES MOINES MARCH
Where am I going?

• If you plan to march, join us by 2:20 PM at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church, 511 Des Moines Street.
• If you aren’t marching but want to attend the gathering, join us before 3:00 PM on the west side of the Iowa Capitol along Finkbine Drive.

Where should I park?
‍Note: Finkbine Drive on the West Terrace of the Iowa Capitol will be closed to keep everyone safe during the public witness at the statehouse.

• Street parking between the Iowa Capitol and Capitol Hill Lutheran Church.
• Parking garage west of Capitol Hill Lutheran Church (511 Des Moines St). The upper level of the parking ramp will be open at no cost from 1:45 – 5:00 PM. NOTE: Your car must be removed from the lot by 5:00 PM or it will be “locked in” the ramp.
• Parking ramp at the corner of East Grand and Pennsylvania.
• We suggest friends carpool, leaving one vehicle by the statehouse in order to transport folks back to the church.

Will seating be provided?

• Short answer: No. The program at the statehouse will be less than one hour. Those able to stand are encouraged to do so.
• You may bring your own chair, if desired. Feel free to drop off your chairs at the statehouse prior to the march.
• A limited number of chairs will be provided for those who cannot stand for long periods of time.

Will there be palms to wave?

• We strongly encourage you to bring palms from your congregation’s Sunday morning service. If you are able, bring extras to share with others.

Can I bring a sign?

• Yes! Please bring signs!
• We suggest positive messaging based on the imperative in Matthew 25 such as:
  Standing With Our Neighbor.
  Love our neighbor.
  Love God. Love our neighbor.
  Love God. Feed our neighbor.
  Love God. Welcome the stranger.
  Love God. Reject cruelty & greed.

Can I share this event with my faith community?

• Absolutely! We hope to have a large crowd marching and at the gathering at the Capitol.
• Clergy are invited to vest in the manner and color their tradition uses on Palm Sunday.
• Please click here for the hi-res Palm Sunday Public Witness logo to use in promotional materials.
• Click here for songs to be used at the gathering.

How can I share my photos and videos with others on social media?

• Please use the hashtag #PalmSunday2026

Iowa City

2:30 PM | March from the Pentacrest (21 N. Clinton Street) at 2:30 PM to the Ped Mall Stage.
2:45 PM | Grounded in Matthew 25, the public witness continues at the Ped Mall with music, the Word, and a Call to Action to Stand With Our Neighbors.

FAQs FOR IOWA CITY MARCH
Will there be palms to wave?

• We strongly encourage you to bring palms from your congregation’s Sunday morning service. If you are able, bring extras to share with others.

Can I bring a sign?

• Yes! Please bring signs!
• We suggest positive messaging based on the imperative in Matthew 25 such as:
  Standing With Our Neighbor.
  Love our neighbor.
  Love God. Love our neighbor.
  Love God. Feed our neighbor.
  Love God. Welcome the stranger.
  Love God. Reject cruelty & greed.

Can I share this event with my faith community?

• Absolutely! We hope to have a large crowd marching and at the gathering at the Ped Mall Stage area.
• Clergy are invited to vest in the manner and color their tradition uses on Palm Sunday.
• Please click here for the hi-res Palm Sunday Public Witness logo to use in promotional materials. Here's a flyer for the Iowa City event.
• Click here for the Call to Action that will be used during the gathering.

What about inclement weather?

• Rain site is Trinity Episcopal Church, 320 E. College Street, Iowa City.

Who is organizing the Iowa City march?

• Faith United Church of Christ, Iowa City
  First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Coralville
  Rev. Peggy Garrigues of Solon United Methodist Church
  Holy Trinity Lutheran, North Liberty
  Interfaith Alliance of Iowa
  Trinity Episcopal Church, Iowa City
  Zion Lutheran Church, Iowa City

How can I share my photos and videos with others on social media?

• Please use the hashtag #PalmSunday2026