Introduction
The constitutional crisis we’re facing requires sustained, organized resistance at every level. While calling your representatives is crucial, it’s not enough. Democracy is defended by networks of engaged citizens working together through established organizations, grassroots movements, and local communities. This action planner connects you with the infrastructure of resistance that’s already mobilizing across the country.
The organizations and groups listed here represent different approaches to defending democracy – from legal challenges and electoral organizing to direct action and mutual aid. Some focus on specific issues like voting rights or immigration, while others coordinate broad-based resistance. Find the ones that match your skills, interests, and risk tolerance, then get involved. Democracy is not a spectator sport.
This list is only partially curated. If you find something better or find a sour link, let me know.
A Friendly Heads-Up About Digital Donation Enthusiasm
Before donating to these worthy causes, fair warning: many of these organizations use platforms like ActBlue that are really, really good at their jobs. Once you donate even a modest $5, you may find yourself on the firehose receiving end of what we’ll call “persistent fundraising optimism.” Think of it as the digital equivalent of that friend-in-need who always knows exactly when you get paid. These platforms have turned donation follow-up into an art form that would make a golden retriever’s dinner time enthusiasm seem restrained. The good news? Your small contributions genuinely do add up to meaningful change. Just maybe set up a separate email address if you’re planning to support multiple causes, unless you enjoy starting each morning with 47 new dire messages about democracy hanging in the balance. Remember, resistance doesn’t happen in a day. This is a long-haul endeavor. Unsub when you have too much in your inbox.
National Resistance Organizations
Political Action and Electoral
- Focus: Grassroots political organizing, electoral campaigns, congressional pressure
- Website: indivisible.org
- Local Groups: Find local chapters through their website
- Key Activities: Town halls, voter registration, candidate recruitment, No Kings Day organizing
- Getting Involved: Join local group, attend actions, volunteer for campaigns
- Focus: Online organizing, electoral campaigns, progressive activism
- Website: moveon.org
- Key Activities: Petition campaigns, voter mobilization, rapid response actions
- Getting Involved: Sign up for action alerts, join local councils, volunteer
- Gotchas: If you’re on their list, they’ll ask you every day for a donation until you tell them to stop. It can be frustrating.
Democracy For America
- Focus: Training progressive candidates and activists
- Website: democracyforamerica.com (currently throwing a norton alert, so this needs curation)
- Key Activities: Candidate training, campaign support, activist development
- Getting Involved: Take training courses, support endorsed candidates
Constitutional and Legal Defense
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW)
- Focus: Government accountability, ethics violations, constitutional enforcement
- Website: citizensforethics.org
- Key Activities: Legal challenges to emoluments violations, oversight advocacy
- Getting Involved: Follow legal cases, donate, amplify investigations
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
- Focus: Constitutional rights, civil liberties, legal challenges
- Website: aclu.org
- Local Affiliates: All 50 states have local ACLU chapters
- Key Activities: Court cases, know-your-rights training, legislative advocacy
- Getting Involved: Join as member, volunteer for local affiliate, attend trainings
- Focus: Voting rights, democracy reform, constitutional law
- Website: brennancenter.org
- Key Activities: Legal research, policy advocacy, court cases
- Getting Involved: Follow research, support policy initiatives
- Focus: Defending democratic institutions and norms
- Website: protectdemocracy.org
- Key Activities: Legal advocacy, research, institutional reform
- Getting Involved: Support legal cases, follow research
Immigration Justice and Human Rights
- Focus: Immigrant youth organizing and advocacy
- Website: unitedwedream.org
- Key Activities: DACA advocacy, anti-deportation organizing, community defense
- Getting Involved: Join local affiliates, participate in actions
National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
- Focus: Legal advocacy for immigrant rights
- Website: nilc.org
- Key Activities: Legal challenges, policy advocacy, community education
- Getting Involved: Support legal work, follow policy updates
RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services)
- Focus: Legal services for immigrants, detention monitoring
- Website: raicestexas.org
- Key Activities: Legal representation, bond funds, detention oversight
- Getting Involved: Donate, volunteer for legal clinics
Media and Information
- Focus: Anti-Trump conservative messaging, political strategy
- Website: lincolnproject.us
- Key Activities: Political advertising, strategic communication, Republican outreach
- Getting Involved: Share content, attend events, support campaigns
Democracy Now!
- Focus: Independent news and analysis
- Website: democracynow.org
- Key Activities: Daily news program, investigative reporting
- Getting Involved: Watch/listen, share stories, support financially
Regional and State Organizations
Swing State Focus
Fair Fight (Georgia)
- Focus: Voting rights, election integrity
- Website: fairfight.com
- Getting Involved: Voter registration, election monitoring
All Voting is Local
- Focus: State-level voting rights advocacy
- Website: allvotingislocal.org
- Key States: Focus on battleground states
- Getting Involved: State-specific campaigns, legal monitoring
California Resistance
Courage Campaign
- Focus: Progressive organizing in California
- Website: couragecampaign.org
- Getting Involved: Local actions, policy campaigns
Social Media and Online Groups
Facebook Groups
Note: Group activity and membership can change rapidly
Indivisible Groups by State
- Search: “Indivisible [Your State]” or “Indivisible [Your City]”
- Local chapters organize events and actions
No Kings Day Groups
- Search: “No Kings Day” + your location
- Planning ongoing resistance actions
Swing Left Groups
- Search: “Swing Left [Your Area]”
- Electoral organizing in competitive districts
Sister District Groups
- Search: “Sister District [Your Location]”
- Adopt competitive races in other states
Twitter/X Networks
- Follow: @IndivisibleTeam, @MoveOn, @ACLU, @NancyPelosi, @AOC
- Hashtags: #NoKings, #ResistanceNow, #DemocracyMatters
Other Platforms
- Discord: Many local groups have servers for organizing
- Signal: Secure messaging for sensitive organizing
- Telegram: Some resistance groups coordinate here
Mutual Aid and Community Support
Legal Defense
National Lawyers Guild
- Website: nlg.org
- Focus: Legal observers, protest support, know-your-rights
- Getting Involved: Legal observer training, jail support
Electronic Frontier Foundation
- Website: eff.org
- Focus: Digital rights, surveillance resistance
- Getting Involved: Digital security training, privacy advocacy
Community Defense
Local Rapid Response Networks
- Search: “[Your City] Rapid Response” or “Immigrant Defense [Your Area]”
- ICE raid response, community protection
Mutual Aid Networks
- Search: “[Your City] Mutual Aid”
- Community support, resource sharing
Know Your Rights Trainings
- Local ACLU chapters, community legal clinics
- Understanding rights during police encounters
Issue-Specific Organizations
Voting Rights
League of Women Voters
- Website: lwv.org
- Local Leagues: Most communities have local chapters
- Getting Involved: Voter registration, election monitoring
Common Cause
- Website: commoncause.org
- Focus: Campaign finance reform, voting access
- Getting Involved: Advocacy campaigns, local chapters
Climate and Environment
Often intersects with democracy issues
Sunrise Movement
- Website: sunrisemovement.org
- Focus: Youth climate activism, electoral organizing
- Getting Involved: Local hubs, actions, electoral work
Economic Justice
Working Families Party
- Website: workingfamilies.org
- Focus: Progressive electoral politics, working class advocacy
- Getting Involved: Local chapters, candidate support
Safety and Security Considerations
Digital Security
- Use Signal for sensitive communications
- Be aware of social media surveillance
- Know your rights regarding device searches
Physical Safety
- Know legal observers and jail support contacts
- Understand de-escalation techniques
- Have emergency contacts and plans
Emotional Sustainability
- Build support networks within activist communities
- Practice self-care and avoid burnout
- Celebrate small wins and progress
Remember
This is a marathon, not a sprint. Democracy is defended through sustained, organized resistance. Find your place in this movement, but don’t try to do everything yourself. Connect with others, share the load, and stay focused on the long-term goal: preserving constitutional democracy for future generations.
The organizations listed here are your allies in this fight. They have experience, resources, and networks that individual action cannot match. But they also need your energy, skills, and commitment to be effective.
Democracy is not guaranteed. It must be actively defended. Start today.
