Retirees For Democracy: What Can I Do?

Retirees For Democracy: What Can I Do?

CIVIC EDUCATION & OUTREACH

DIRECT PARTICIPATION & POLITICAL ACTION

COMMUNITY BUILDING & INTERGENERATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

CREATIVE EXPRESSION & ARTS-BASED ACTIVISM

PUBLIC PRESENCE & VISIBILITY

COMMUNICATION & DIGITAL STRATEGY

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS & STRATEGIC SUPPORT

MAKE A DONATION TO A PUBLIC MEDIA, DATA RESOURCE, or INVESTIGATIVE NEWS ORGANIZATION

🧠 CIVIC EDUCATION & OUTREACH

Offer to Give Talks at Your Libraries or Senior Centers

Teach others about the Constitution, civic responsibility, and how to resist authoritarianism.

Host or Join a Democracy Discussion Group

Create a reading or discussion group to explore ideas about democracy, authoritarianism, and activism.

Adopt a Local School’s Civics Program

Volunteer to speak to students about the importance of voting and civic duty.

Create Pop-up Democracy Museum

Display voting machines, historic artifacts, and democratic milestones at fairs or libraries.

Lead “Before/After Democracy Walks”

Show how democratic decisions shaped your neighborhood—sidewalks, zoning, libraries, etc.

Create or Share Civic Newsletters

Inform your neighbors about elections, voting deadlines, and community meetings.

Learn How to Defeat a Fascist:

See Retirees For Democracy: About Fascism and Retirees For Democracy: Resources

📞 DIRECT PARTICIPATION & POLITICAL ACTION

Contact Your Elected Representatives, Repeatedly

Contact your political representatives at your representatives: President, Senator, House of Representatives, Governor, Mayor, and local representatives. Tell them what you think, your opinion matters! And contact them repeatedly.

Contact all members of Congress:

By phone: (202) 224-3121
By email: Congress.gov
By US mail: Representatives / Senators
By fax: Representatives / Senators
By Resistbot: Resist.bot – Resistbot is the chatbot that turns your texts into faxes, postal mail, or emails to your representatives in minutes

Restore Suicide Prevention Services:

Send a letter to your Governor asking them to restore vital suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth, which Trump defunded on July 17, 2025.

Tell your mayors, governors, legislators, and attorneys general to:

10 Soft Secession Policies You Can Fight For Today

Some Pro-democracy groups:

https://issueone.org
https://choosedemocracy.us
https://thirdact.org
BigTentUSA
- What you can do now: https://bigtentusa.org/act-now/
- Do Something: https://bigtentusa.org/dosomething/

Call Out Performative Politics–Demand “Good Trouble”:

Many federal lawmakers engage in performative politics—symbolic gestures made for publicity, not results. A common example? A Democratic member of the House requests that the Republican-controlled chamber initiate an investigation into an illegal activity conducted by Donald Trump, knowing full well that no such investigation will happen.

These public displays may generate likes and retweets, but they don’t advance justice or strengthen democracy.

When your senator or representative posts on social media claiming they are “fighting for democracy,” respond. Call them out. Let them know that performative politics is not leadership—it’s theater without consequence. Remind them of the words of Congressman John Lewis, who urged Americans to get into “good trouble”–meaningful actions that may involve personal or political risk but help to educate the public and advance democratic ideals.

This is something every citizen can do, and should do—repeatedly. In the process we will teach our politicians how to fight fascism effectively.

Tell your representatives: If they’re not willing to take real political risks to protect democracy, they should step aside and let someone else represent us—someone who will put their seat on the line to defend the Constitution. We ask members of our military to risk their lives to protect our democracy. At the very least, our elected officials—who swear an oath to that same Constitution—should be willing to risk their salaries and political careers.

Create a Pro-democracy email list and periodically use it

For example, send something like this…

IS AMERICA STILL A DEMOCRACY?
For 30 seconds, listen to:
President Obama
Sen. Adam Schiff
Judge Michael Luttig
Sen. Chris Murphy
Prof. Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Prof. Steven Levitsky
Secretary Hillary Clinton
Rep. Liz Cheney
Sen. Mitch McConnell
Sen. Chuck Schumer
Rep. Joe Walsh
Rep. Adam Kinzinger
Prof. Timothy Snyder
Anne Applebaum
Prof. Laurence Tribe
https://IHaveAnIDEA.us/iasad/
DEMOCRACY MATTERS! Pass it on!

Volunteer as a Poll Worker or Election Observer

Retirees are ideal due to flexibility and reliability.

Become a Voter Registration Volunteer

Partner with groups like the League of Women Voters to register voters in libraries, clinics, or farmer’s markets.

Serve on Local Boards or Commissions

Apply your expertise to shape policy in planning, education, or public health. RUN FOR POLITICAL OFFICE – become a politician – you are qualified and can do this!

Attend Town Halls and Ask Hard Questions

Demand real answers—not slogans—from your representatives. Recruit your friends to attend with you.

Join Your Local Election Board or Advisory Committee

Influence fair electoral processes from the inside.

Examples of American Protest Videos on YouTube

Example of direct confrontation with ICE on Youtube
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BH4qsDnik/
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CQWYBhbx7/
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/14GVbfFXhzP/
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ChT8BUn6H/
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1AoZRyy9Ea/
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DwCEsAzYM/

🤝 COMMUNITY BUILDING & INTERGENERATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

Host a Democracy Conversation at a Café or Potluck at your home

Gather friends, relatives, and neighbors for informal, non-partisan discussions on civic life—one cup at a time.

Start a Democracy Grandparents Network

Talk with your grandchildren and their peers about democratic values and voting – entice them with baked goods.

Organize Intergenerational Civic Events

Pair with youth groups to host forums, events, or shared action projects.

Mentor Young Activists

Help with strategic planning, fundraising, or public speaking.

Build Intergenerational Coalitions

Combine the wisdom of age with the energy of youth.

Become a Local Historian of Democracy

Research and share stories of past local civic efforts and democratic victories.

✍️ CREATIVE EXPRESSION & ARTS-BASED ACTIVISM

Make and Distribute Banners, Stickers, Brochures, and Hats

Click on any of the JPG images below to obtain a high resolution JPG and then download it to your computer.

Create your own bumpersticker, banner, or handouts:

Professional bumperstickers, banners, and handouts:

Use an online service (e.g. carstickers.com, banners.com, or one of the many others) to convert the JPG into a banners, bumpersticker, or handouts. Print many and distribute them to your friends.

Homemade bumperstickers:

Print the JPG on photo paper, larger bumpersticker can be assembled by taping together partial images.

Cover the printed photo paper, front and back, with clear packaging tape, ensuring the edges are seal to prevent water entry.

Attach two sided tape to the back. Instant homemade bumpersticker!

The above image was created from photos of the Grand Teton, an American flag, an eagle in flight and an AI generated banner.

Make and wear a custom made pro-democracy hat, using one of these as a model:

There are many online services where you can purchase a custom made hat; just google “Custom made hats.” The two images below were created by an AI program.

Create Democracy-themed Art or Quilts

Collaborate with others to display civic-themed work in public spaces.

Compose Poems or Songs about Democracy

Freely share them online or at community events to move and motivate.

Launch a Traveling Civic Art Exhibit

Bring it to libraries, town halls, or local markets.

Organize a Democracy Flash Mob or Reading

Publicly read the Constitution, voting rights laws, or democracy-themed poetry.

📣 PUBLIC PRESENCE & VISIBILITY

Timothy Snyder, a historian who has studied authoritarianism and fascism states that the only way to defeat a fascist is to build a huge coalition of people, who, despite disparate interests, coming together with a single message: reestablished democracy.

Attend a Local Pro-democracy / Anti-fascist Rally, March, or Civic Event:

Find a local event:

https://indivisible.org
https://www.fiftyfifty.one
https://front.moveon.org
https://www.mobilize.us
https://www.visibilitybrigade.com
https://www.aclu.org

Form a Retiree Marching Club

March as a visible block at pro-democracy rallies or parades.

Adopt a Weekly Street Corner Protest

Show up regularly with a sign—consistency makes an impression.

Create “Democracy Walks” in Your Community

Walk with signs, share leaflets, and talk to passersby.

Host a Nonpartisan Candidate Forum

Provide neutral space for candidates to speak to the public on local issues.

💡 COMMUNICATION & DIGITAL STRATEGY

Launch a Blog, YouTube Channel, or Podcast

Share your civic journey, resources, and interviews.

Counter Misinformation and Conspiracies with Grace and Facts

Learn to respectfully challenge election myths and disinformation. Show people how to use DebunkBot.

Comment Thoughtfully on Social Media

Using uplifting or evidence-based information.

Host Online “Retirees Talk Democracy” Zoom sessions

Discuss books, bring in speakers, and connect nationwide.

Document and Share What Works

Record strategies and stories that inspire others and preserve institutional memory.

💼 PROFESSIONAL SKILLS & STRATEGIC SUPPORT

Offer Pro Bono Skills to Civic Groups

Retired lawyers, writers, designers, IT professionals, and project managers can make a major impact.

Fund Local Democracy Scholarships or Essay Contests

Encourage youth to reflect on democracy—and reward insight.

Sponsor Billboards, Ads, or Community Signage

Place bold, clear messages in places that need civic reminders.

Support Whistleblower Protection Groups

Defend the truth-tellers who risk it all to uphold democratic values.

If you need additional ideas, visit Choose Democracy

Visit Choose Democracy.

MAKE A DONATION TO A PUBLIC MEDIA, DATA RESOURCE, or INVESTIGATIVE NEWS ORGANIZATION

🔍 Investigative & News-Focused Nonprofits

ProPublica
Investigative journalism in the public interest.
🌐 Website: https://www.propublica.org
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/14-2007220
Reveal / Center for Investigative Reporting
Produces investigative journalism and the Reveal podcast.
🌐 Website: https://revealnews.org
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-3175221
Center for Public Integrity
Investigates money in politics, inequality, and accountability.
🌐 Website: https://publicintegrity.org
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/54-1378773
The Marshall Project
Nonpartisan journalism focused on the U.S. criminal justice system.
🌐 Website: https://www.themarshallproject.org
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/46-4558503
Inside Climate News
Covers climate science, energy, and the environment.
🌐 Website: https://insideclimatenews.org
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/26-1091997
The Intercept / First Look Institute
Investigative journalism on government and corporate power.
🌐 Website: https://theintercept.com
🧾 Candid (First Look Institute): https://www.guidestar.org/profile/46-2672786
The Markup
Investigates how tech and data shape society.
🌐 Website: https://themarkup.org
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/83-1484745
The Texas Tribune
Covers Texas politics and policy through nonprofit journalism.
🌐 Website: https://www.texastribune.org
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/27-2895281

🌐 Informational & Data-Focused Nonprofits

Our World in Data
Publishes open-access research on global development.
🌐 Website: https://ourworldindata.org
🧾 U.S. Donations (via Every.org): https://www.every.org/ourworldindata
Wikimedia Foundation (Wikipedia)
Supports Wikipedia and other free knowledge platforms.
🌐 Website: https://wikimediafoundation.org
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/20-0049703
Data & Society Research Institute
Examines social and cultural implications of data-centric technology.
🌐 Website: https://datasociety.net
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/46-5459252
Internet Archive
Free digital library preserving websites, books, and media.
🌐 Website: https://archive.org
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-3242767
OpenSecrets / Center for Responsive Politics
Tracks money in politics and its influence.
🌐 Website: https://www.opensecrets.org
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/52-1277413

📺 Public Media Organizations

NPR (National Public Radio)
Produces national and local public radio programming.
🌐 Website: https://www.npr.org
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/52-0907625
PBS (Public Broadcasting Service)
National nonprofit broadcaster delivering educational content.
🌐 Website: https://www.pbs.org
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/52-0909674
WGBH Educational Foundation (Boston)
Produces original PBS content, including Frontline and NOVA.
🌐 Website: https://www.wgbh.org
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/04-2103902
WNET (New York Public Media)
Operates THIRTEEN and produces national PBS programming.
🌐 Website: https://www.wnet.org
🧾 Candid: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/13-3060877
KQED (San Francisco Bay Area)
One of the largest public media stations in the U.S., serving Northern California with news, radio, and PBS television programming.
🌐 Website: https://www.kqed.org
🧾 IRS/Candid Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-1241309

If you have additional ideas of ways people can support the re-establishment of democracy in America, send your suggestions to us via Contact Us.

RetireesForDemocracy.org is hosted on IHaveAnIdea.us.