Protect Democracy
🗽Stay informed with updates to hold our leaders accountable and protect democracy. A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.
Every action counts in the fight to protect our rights and freedoms. Today in Protect Democracy we’re featuring December 10, 2024 news and critical calls-to-action.
Together, we can realize a democracy that represents, reflects, and responds to all of us.
For far too long, special interests, ultra-wealthy donors, and vote suppressors have dominated our politics and attempted to silence the voices of everyday Americans, especially in Black and Brown communities.
America's democracy is under attack as the MAGA agenda seeks to undermine our democratic institutions, erode the rule of law, and strip away the rights that ensure every voice is heard and every vote counts. Join us to champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people's will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
The fight for democracy continues, and your voice is needed.
Join the Declaration for American Democracy on Tuesday, December 10 at 8pm Eastern for a virtual movement call to discuss what to expect in the next Congress and how we come to preserve our democratic values.
We’ll be joined by U.S. Congresswoman Summer Lee and organizers, communicators, and movement leaders from across the country.
Together, we’ll prepare to defeat any and all anti-democracy legislation that is introduced in the next Congress while working towards our bold vision for a robust multi-racial democracy.
RSVP to join us for this important discussion on where we go from here.
We look forward to connecting with you for this important discussion on what’s to come. Your commitment is vital to protecting our rights and advancing this critical work.
Protect Democracy - News Briefs - December 10, 2024
The Guardian view on Romania’s annulled election: a wake-up call for democracies
The Guardian
Famously, 2024 has been the biggest election year in history, featuring polls in 72 countries affecting 3.7 billion people. In Romania, sadly, it is now destined to be remembered as a year in which democracy was derailed rather than celebrated.
Liz Cheney Says Trump’s Call She Be Jailed Is Another Effort To Undermine Democracy
HuffPost By Nick Visser
Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said President-elect Donald Trump’s assertion she be jailed for her work investigating the Capitol insurrection is yet another effort to undermine “the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.” Cheney was one of two Republican members on the House select committee investigating the origins of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, alongside then-Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.).
South Korea's democracy held after a 6-hour power play. What does it say for democracies elsewhere?
ABC News By Laurie Kellman, Kim Tong-Hyung
In an era of rising authoritarianism, at the heels of a six-hour martial law decree that unfolded while many South Koreans slept, something noteworthy happened: Democracy held.
Syrians Finally Won the Arab Spring. Can They Avoid Pitfalls and Win Democracy?
Common Dreams By Juan Cole
The Syrian Revolution of 2024 has succeeded in deposing the al-Assad dynasty, in power since 1970, throwing off the rule of the once mighty Syrian Socialist Baath Party, a feared and murderous one-party state. Rebel forces streamed into the capital, Damascus, Sunday morning, facing no significant resistance from government troops, amid rumors that dictator Bashar al-Assad had departed the country for parts unknown a day or two ago.
Opinion: Working together to practice democracy that benefits all people, not just wealthy
USA Today by Rev. Robert L. Montgomery
I love history because it shows how human beings have lived in the world through many changes. One revealing change throughout history is how power centers emerged and shifted to different places around the world. As a boy, I lived in the ancient power center of China. I also learned of the ancient power centers in the Bible of Babylon and Persia and then the power center of Rome, which was important in the beginnings of Christianity.
Romanian far-right candidate says democracy "cancelled" along with election
Reuters By Kuba Stezycki
The Romanian far-right presidential candidate at the centre of a Russian electoral meddling scandal turned up at the place he would have voted in on Sunday, saying the Constitutional Court's decision to cancel the ballot was fatal for democracy. The court annulled the ongoing presidential election after accusations of Russian meddling and on Friday ruled the entire process, which had been due to conclude this weekend, would have to be re-run.
The Observer view: from South Korea to Romania, the young are battling to defend democracy
The Guardian
It has been a testing week for democracy across Europe and Asia. But the good news is that, by and large, countries that trust the people to decide who governs them are weathering the storm. This outcome is by no means final or certain, nor can it be in an era when authoritarian, dictatorial and illiberal regimes are advancing.
Project 2025, Mar-a-Lago and Fox News: What Connects Trump’s New Staff Picks
NY Times
Project 2025, Mar-a-Lago and Fox News: Here are the connections among Trump’s cabinet picks.
Protect Democracy - Video Briefs - December 6, 2024
Montana GOP is Trying to Upend Elections in New SCOTUS Case | Democracy Docket
What is the John Lewis Voting Rights Act?
How the John Lewis Voting Rights Act Protects Democracy | Now This Impact
Donald Trump was elected President, but he is not a leader
When leaders escape accountability, it sends a chilling message: that power, not justice, reigns supreme. This erodes trust, destabilizes society, and paves the way for authoritarianism to take root.
History has shown us that unchecked power breeds corruption, oppression, and the silencing of voices—threatening the very freedoms we hold dear.
But we have the power to change the course of history. Now, more than ever, it’s time to rise, unite, and demand accountability and justice for all. Together, we can protect our democracy and secure a future where fairness and equality prevail. Join us and be the voice of change! More resources are coming, but today, please join our Not Above the Law Rapid Response Team and sign on to our Freedom Over Fascism pledge.
What is the Freedom to Vote Act?
With the Freedom to Vote Act, we can finally take action against some of the largest issues plaguing our democracy. It will protect the right to vote, end partisan gerrymandering, combat election subversion, and decrease the power of big moneyed special interests. Together we can realize a democracy that represents, reflects, and responds to all of us.
TOPLINES
Freedom to Vote Act and Voting Rights:
Since the 2013 Shelby v. Holder SCOTUS decision, we have less federal voting rights protections than in the decades before.
We must ensure the freedom to vote for all Americans to have our vote counted and voice heard.
The Freedom to Vote Act will modernize our voting system and prevent blatant attempts to silence our voices so that we all have the freedom to vote
The Freedom to Vote Act helps dismantle barriers erected to keep Black, Indigenous, young and new Americans from voting, including long lines and eliminated polling places, targeted restrictions to registration, and overt voter intimidation.
Freedom to Vote Act and Money in Politics
We must build a campaign finance system that ensures our elected leaders listen to every American — not just the rich and powerful.
Our current pay-to-play system silences the voices of Black, brown, young, and new Americans and gives unchecked power to the wealthy few.
The Freedom to Vote Act tackles corruption by ensuring that our government works for us by reducing the influence of big money in politics and increasing ethical standards for our elected officials.
In order to make progress on the issues that Americans care most about such as, health care, racial justice, reproductive rights, and environmental justice, we must build a system that serves the people, rather than the interests of the rich and powerful.
Freedom to Vote Act and Election Sabotage:
The Freedom to Vote Act would set new national standards for voters to safely and freely cast our ballots, ensure that trusted local election officials count every vote, and prevent partisan politicians from sabotaging our elections.
State Anti-Voter Bills
With states across the country working to pass bills that attack our freedom to vote, we need national standards to ensure that we all have equal access to the ballot.
These restrictive voter policies are designed to disenfranchise black, brown, and indigenous communities, as well as people with disabilities, college students, low income voters, and more.
We need federal government action to ensure that the will of the people prevails.
Rights Restoration for Felony Disenfranchisement
Restoring the freedom to vote for formerly and currently incarcerated Americans would allow them to fulfill an important civic duty, help those released to successfully re-integrate into their communities, and make us all safer. (Additional Talking points from Stand Up America)
Disenfranchisement disproportionately impacts the vote of Black and Brown communities.
Progress has been made on the state level, but we need to enact federal legislation securing every American’s right to vote.
People Power United’s Statement on Protecting Democracy
In response to recent MAGA shenanigans to suppress votes and stop voting rights bills like the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act from passing, People Power United - a progressive grassroots group - issued the following statement:
“America's democracy is under attack as the MAGA agenda seeks to undermine our democratic institutions, erode the rule of law, and strip away the rights that ensure every voice is heard and every vote counts. There is no power like that of the people, and People Power United stands ready to protect our communities against any and all injustices,” said Laurie Woodward García of People Power United.
People Power United will continue to oppose such harm to our community and champion civil rights for all.
Join us to build People Power! Together, we can protect and empower those we love, champion our rights, freedoms, and democracy, hold our leaders accountable to the people's will, and inspire voters to make a meaningful difference.
Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests)
People Power United | In this community, we will always speak out against racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, antisemitism, homophobia, misogyny, sexism, ageism, ableism, sizeism, elitism, transphobia, misogynoir, and bigotry! Check out our 2023 recap post to see how impactful our scrappy People Power United group is!
People Power United is a group of community members that champions progressive values and power for the people.