In the last eight months, we have seen an alarming acceleration of actions that undermine our rights and freedoms. Court rulings have been ignored, masked and armed agents have detained people without due process, access to healthcare has been stripped away, and funding for research and public education has been slashed. These are not new trends. For years, at every level of government, boards and commissions have voted on how public funds are spent, how schools are run, and how our communities grow. State lawmakers have passed bills that shape voting rights, public education, and access to essential services. What is different now is the speed and scale at which these changes are happening. We were not always watching, but now we are, and the rooms are filling up. Let’s keep it that way.

We do not have to do everything, but we must each do something. For some, that might mean joining a protest, making phone calls, or writing letters. For others, it might mean simply being in the room, sitting in on a public meeting, taking notes, listening closely, and letting decision-makers see that the public is paying attention. You do not have to speak at the microphone to make a difference. Your presence alone is a reminder that their actions are seen, recorded, and remembered.

Visit our Action Alerts, Volunteer Page, and Calendar of Events to find a way to stay engaged that works best for you.