When Mike Watts and the crew at DMD Products (asi/50164) learned there would be a march to protest the death of George Floyd in Houston, they knew they had to be part of it.

"We just wanted to participate in any way we could," says Watts, who is president/founder of DMD. "We feel very connected to the local community."

DMD Products printed 500 Sling Grips bearing the message "Love." and gave them out during a peaceful protest in memory of George Floyd, held in Houston on Tuesday, June 2.

Floyd, who authorities say was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer while in police custody on May 25, was originally from Houston. Much of his family still lives in the Texas city. Around 60,000 people, including members of Floyd's family, showed up to the peaceful protest on Tuesday, June 2.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner called the rally and march a way to lift up Floyd's family, according to the Houston Chronicle. "Today we want to love on them. We want them to know that George did not die in vain," he told the crowd.

Love was also the message that DMD Products, manufacturer of Sling Grip low-profile phone holders, wanted to spread at the rally. Early on the day of the march, DMD's 26 employees fired up their presses to make 500 black Sling Grips, bearing the word "Love." in white lettering.

Watts and another member of the team took the products to the march and handed them out to protesters.

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Yesterday was a special day. We were honored to share some love with our neighbors at the walk against racism alongside the family of George Floyd. • I believe that LOVE is the cure, the solution and the guiding force for positive change. • I believe most all people are good. I believe most all police are good. I believe most all protesters are good. I believe most all humans are good. I KNOW God loves them ALL (good/bad) and wants to reach them. 🙏🏻🙏🏼🙏🏽🙏🏾🙏🏿 • #loveoneanother #loveyourneighbor #loveothers #lovegod #justice #peace #georgefloyd #usa🇺🇸 #protesters #forceforgood #blm #blacklivesmatter #lovehande #mikewatts #love #loveconquersall #houston #htx #maskuphou #bethechange #showlove #sharelove

A post shared by 𝕄𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕎𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕤 (@mikewatts) on Jun 3, 2020 at 12:59pm PDT

"We just felt like ‘love' was the word we could put out there to express our connection to the cause," Watts says. "We met so many people [at the rally] and were able to give them something so they could remember the day by."

The Sling Grips were very well-received, Watts says, particularly since many protesters were trying to hold signs, water bottles and their phones all at once – an awkward process without some kind of accessory to lessen the burden.

"We were really proud to be able to support something so important at a human level," Watts says. "For us, as a company, we feel that if we don't stand up and stand for equality and against racism, if you're not part of the solution, then you're going to be part of the problem."

DMD Products is also selling a collection of "Spread Love" phone grips under its retail division, LoveHandle, with 50% of the proceeds from that collection going to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

In the days since Floyd's death, a variety of moment merchandise has sprung up, much of it with a charitable component.