Citizen Power Guide

The United States is amid a serious and dangerous challenge to our democracy and freedoms, but there are things you can do to help.

Last Updated: November 5, 2025

In January 2025 I published “Citizen Power: Turning Advocacy Into Impact,” and was updating it periodically. It served its purpose for a while. But the length became unwieldy and I realized readers would prefer a more concise version. So, I’ve created this article that’s quicker to read and gets to the point right away. I plan to keep updating this article but will no longer update the prior one.

Before you check out the list of actions below, consider watching or reading these to give you some hope and ideas beyond what I have written here.

• The ONE THING You Can Do to Fight Fascism RIGHT NOW.” It’s only 10 minutes long and it will explain why doing one thing every day, even a small thing, can add up to huge collective power to save our democracy.
• “We Did The No Kings Protest — Now What?” by Emily Amick. Amick suggests seven effective things you can do after the historic turnout for the second No Kings event on October 18, 2025.
• “This Is Our Country.” Cleve Jones delivered a powerful speech at the October 18, 2025. San Francisco No Kings rally.
• “51(ish) things you can actually do” by Amanda Litman. Litman of the Run For Something organization suggests some great thing you can do to maintain the momentum of the latest No Kings event.

Before you check out the list of actions below, watch “The ONE THING You Can Do to Fight Fascism RIGHT NOW.” It’s only 10 minutes long and it will explain why doing one thing every day, even a small thing, can add up to huge collective power to save our democracy.

Also read Emily Amick’s “We Did The No Kings Protest — Now What?” in which Amick suggest seven effective things you can do after the historic turnout for the second No Kings event on October 18, 2025.

You might also want to read Cleve Jones’ speech, “This Is Our Country,” that he delivered on stage at the October 18, 2025. San Francisco No Kings rally. Powerful.

Here is a list of actions I believe will help us push back against the attempted authoritarian takeover of our country. I’m listing them in the order I believe are most effective, but that’s entirely my opinion. You may feel actions further down the list are more effective or that resonate with you more. By all means, do those. Just pick one or two things and keep doing them until our country’s democracy is secure again.

1. Set aside time each day to do something. Doing something is what matters. Small actions taken together collectively have power.
2. Since the Midterms election is now less than a year away, we must focus on (1) minimizing the inevitable voter suppression Republicans will attempt, (2) getting as many people we know registered or checking existing registrations to ensure they’re active and accurate, and (3) getting out the vote for the Midterms.
3. Join Indivisible’s newsletter. Join or form a local group and read their Guide. Do the actions they list in their weekly emails. Join a local Indivisible group if you can.
4. Call your representatives. Every day if you can. Download and use 5 Calls.
5. Attend in-person actions. Attend as many as you can. Showing up matters. The second No Kings national action was historic with unprecedented numbers of Americans showing up for democracy and freedom. A third action has been announced with more details to come soon. Sign up to be alerted to that action here. Also, follow 50501, Women’s March, and Indivisible. There are other groups emerging. The current version of resistance is a collection of numerous but aligned separate efforts which we need. Check out the ACLU Protester’s Rights page.
6. Donate if you can to ACLU, Democracy Forward, Democracy Docket, Transgender Law Center, or any national or local organizations or efforts that resonate with you. Also donate to groups organizing actions. Oath is a one-stop shop for effective political giving.
7. Vote. Always. In every election. Get others to register and do the same. Share the non-partisan vote.org site to encourage voter registration and voting.
8. Support labor unions. Join one if you are able.
9. Build and engage in your local community. It is through strong, bonded communities that we will survive and thrive. Now is the time to dive deep into community. Build alliances across different communities.
10. Use social media wisely. Be careful about sharing misinformation.
11. Avoid mainstream media. They are still embracing bothsidesism. Seek out respected alternative media.
12. Stay informed but do not overwhelm yourself. Subscribe (paid if you can) to a few trusted news sources. A good national political news summary is What The Fuck Just Happened Today?
13. Despite it being difficult, embrace empathy when talking with those who vote or hold opinions counter to yours. This is not easy, but it is effective.
14. Practice digital safety. Switch to Signal for messaging. Check out the Electronic Frontier Foundation for the best digital and surveillance safety advice.

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