Charlotte’s gift is in its diversity. We are home to countless dreamers, doers, makers, workers, lovers, fighters, speakers, and listeners. Our communities are found in dive bars and stadiums, neighborhoods and street corners, workplaces and parks. When Border Patrol agents came for our community last fall, they called the invasion “Operation Charlotte’s Web.” They thought themselves the net—our immigrant neighbors as animals to be caught and contained.

If any of them had actually read the book, they would have been embarrassed at the ignorance of their operation. E. B. White’s book Charlotte’s Web at its core is a story of community, self-sacrifice, and love. Charlotte the spider wove her webs to change the narrative, and so did Charlotte the city. Teachers, students, neighbors, business owners, clergy, artists and friends everywhere sent a very clear message: “We are the web, and we protect our own.”

Join Drew all day on Saturday as they lead community members in weaving We Are the Web—a physical work of art to serve as a message and reminder to everyone who calls Charlotte home. Drop in whenever you like, stay for as long as you want. Weaving participation is encouraged but by no means required—thread and fabric will be provided on site, but you are welcome to bring your own!