A little chalk goes a long way.
At least that's what a Tucson group inspired by Pantsuit Nation hoped when they showed up in front of two Tucson mosques on Sunday.
The sidewalk became their canvas.
Although not officially affiliated with the original Pantsuit Nation Facebook group — devotees to Hillary Clinton, her vision and her legendary pantsuits — members of this Tucson chapter decided to share a little love with the local Muslim community.
Volunteers gathered outside of the Islamic Center of Tucson Sunday to share messages of hope.
Inspired by a similar artistic outpouring at a Nashville mosque, about seven volunteers from the Tucson Pantsuit Nation group scribbled messages of encouragement outside the mosques, says Tylar Zinn, the group member who organized everything.
"I'm a member of the LGBT community, and I know it has affected us having a presidential candidate and now our president-elect saying negative things that are causing his supporters to react negatively to us," Zinn says. "I felt like it was important to me to help other people who are going through the same thing. I know Muslims are receiving a lot of negative attention as well."
In the street in front of Masjid Tucson, 5010 E. Bellevue St., the volunteers drew a heart, Zinn says. They filled the sidewalk in front of the Islamic Center of Tucson, 901 E. First St., with peace signs, hearts and bubble letters.
"No hate in Tucson," reads one message, a heart replacing the 'o' in Tucson. "You are cool! You are awesome! You are appreciated!"
"Tucson stands with you," reads another.
It was a much-needed gesture.
"Everybody has been supportive of making sure that we know, as a community of Muslims, that Tucson overwhelmingly supports minorities and is welcoming to all people; and that despite any kinds of elections results, this is a safe and loving place," says Taha Hasan, the public relations director for the Islamic Center.
Color, love and encouragement decorate the sidewalk in front of the Islamic Center of Tucson.
Since the election of President-elect Donald Trump, the community has dealt with its fair share of apprehension and fear, Hasan says. But still they pray good times prevail.
Chalk it up to hope.
Jennifer Casale and her young daughter lend their artistic talents to the other Pantsuit Nation well-wishers in front of the Islamic Center of Tucson.
Jennifer Casale posted on Facebook about her experience in front of the Islamic Center with her young daughter Emmy.
"Five different people brought me bottles of water," she writes. "A woman brought me a sandwich. A man we previously met came up later to tell me we were beautiful people and put a folded up dollar bill in Emmy's hand. I knew what it was...it was the same thing I was doing. It wasn't about the chalk. Or the hearts drawn on the ground. Or the dollar. Or the sandwich. Or the water. A woman stopped and said, 'I know it doesn't seem like much, but this is a small act done with big love. This. This is how you change the world.'"
