Washington, D.C. – Leaders and pro-democracy advocates from across the nation united in the nation’s capital last week for the third annual “Together for Democracy,” a strategic gathering hosted by Democracy Forward designed to connect advocates and partners with each other, and to convert shared commitments into coordinated action.
“Together for Democracy is a decision. It is a statement of values. It is a decision to build community in a time where it can seem easier to isolate and doom scroll. It is a decision to take action when, at times, action may seem futile. It is a decision to choose courage when fear emerges. It is a decision to choose love when hate abounds. It is a decision to protect our neighbor. It is a decision to be uncomfortable: a decision to learn new things and work in new ways. It is a decision to be creative as opposed to conventional. And, it is a decision not to give up on the work to protect people and our democracy. It is a decision not to give up. To never ever give up,” said Democracy Forward President & CEO Skye Perryman.
Together for Democracy 2026 was organized around the themes of Resilience, Resistance, and Reimagining. The gathering came amidst the Trump-Vance administration’s violent surges in Minnesota and Maine, arrests of journalists telling those stories, and revelations that the administration is seeking to leverage its violent attacks on American cities to obtain voter rolls. Participants included those who have been on the frontlines in these cities, those personally impacted by the lawlessness of this administration’s policies, and the organizations working to protect them.
“As powerful institutions have stepped back, bent the knee, forgotten that those on the sidelines end up on the wrong side of history, as powerful institutions have stepped back, the people have stepped forward. You have organized in your communities. Over the past year, the nation has seen the largest single day peaceful mobilizations of people in the country’s 250 year history. Millions in No-Kings protests, Hands Off mobilizations, ICE Out protests. Streets filled in Minneapolis with people who peacefully refuse to turn their backs on their community or on our democracy. It turns out, despite what the White House says, Americans still don’t want to be governed by a king. And, it also turns out they don’t actually like facism,” Perryman told the standing-room-only audience.
With hundreds of people in attendance, dynamic panels, fireside chats, creative performances, and skill-building workshops offered changemakers, partners, advocates, organizers, policymakers, and artists from all 50 states a chance to connect, learn, and inspire as the pro-democracy community charts a path forward. The gathering also included a reception at the National Museum of Women in the Arts where Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Dolores Huerta energized an even larger group with chants of: ¡Sí se puede!
Resilience plenaries and breakout sessions highlighted the struggles and victories that have been experienced by the pro-democracy community as a foundation that demonstrates the strength of people and communities to endure attacks on democratic institutions while continuing to advance justice, equity, and freedom. That included discussions focused on the role of the faith, international, and artistic communities in building resilience.
Resistance programming put a spotlight on the strategies that are successfully responding to the Trump-Vance administration’s authoritarianism, disinformation campaigns, and the injustice being perpetuated against people in America. Content and speakers demonstrated that the act of resistance is strategic and collective: lawyers defending rights in court, organizers mobilizing communities, and leaders holding power accountable.
Reimagining content, inspiring and enduring, gave guests the chance to discuss ambitions beyond defense in pursuit of a more inclusive and more just nation capable of meeting the promise of tomorrow. Through bold ideas, creative storytelling, and cultural expression, the conference helped to inspire designs toward a government and a future where democracy thrives for everyone.
The conference featured prominent speakers, including Emmy-nominated comedian and political commentator Jordan Klepper, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Dolores Huerta, Maine Governor Janet Mills, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Reps. Hakeem Jeffries, Jamie Raskin, Jason Crow, and Kelly Morrison, Texas State Representative Gene Wu, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, former minority leader of the Georgia House of Representatives Stacey Abrams, General Wes Clark (ret.), Creators Aaron Parnas and V Spehar, the Bulwark’s Joe Perticone and Andrew Egger, MS Now’s Eugene Daniels and Jesse Rodriquez, Politico’s Ankush Khardori, Public Private Strategies Founder & CEO Rhett Buttle, Democratic Attorneys General Association President Sean Rankin, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, Former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Winston Pingeon, Hub Project Founder Jess Floyd, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association Dr. Georges Benjamin, Interfaith Alliance President & CEO Rev. Paul Raushenbush, Rev. Susie Hayward, Bishop Mariann Budde, Artistic Freedom Initiative Co-Executive Director Ashley Tucker, and Alliance for Higher Education President and CEO Mike Gavin, and Democracy Forward President & CEO Perryman.
The convening also included artistic presentations by H. Adam Harris, artist Maggie O’Neill, Revolutionary Love Project’s Valerie Kaur, and the Shiloh Baptist Choir.
More information about the work Democracy Forward is undertaking to mobilize and strengthen communities is available here.
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Democracy Forward is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.
