DEFENDING DEMOCRACY STARTS LOCALLY
Townsquare Democracy is a community network of citizens, professionals, and local groups working together to defend traditional American democratic values of justice, truth, and human dignity. We believe democracy thrives when ordinary people stand up, speak out, and stay connected.
OUR FOCUS
Independent Judiciary
Supporting the brave judges, lawyers, and legal defenders who protect our constitutional rights.
Protecting the Elections
Townsquare Democracy is focusing on protecting fair and free elections in 2026 — not candidates, not outcomes — but process integrity.
Health and Science
Advocating for science based policies and institutions that keep humanity and our environment safe today and for generations to come.
TAKE ACTION
Support judges, lawyers, and defenders of constitutional rights in your community. Courageous judges and lawyers are Democracy’s shield.
Events
Living Room Conversation
June 8 Monday 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Bernie’s Cafe (opened after hours)
3966 24th Street, San Francisco
Topic:
How can citizens support fair elections, an independent judiciary, and democratic institutions in the run-up to the midterms? How can our postcard campaign strengthen these efforts?
What do this week's court victories mean, and how can we build on them?
Kennedy Center decision
Polling place transparency decision
Anti-Weaponization Fund freeze
New Hampshire voting rights decision
Miami IRS/settlement decision
Hear more information, take part in the discussion and organizing, and learn about opportunities to get involved.
RSVP: townsquaredemocracy@gmail.com
How Authoritarianism Actually Works
Authoritarian movements don’t succeed on their own. They rely on key institutions like our courts, the media, business interests, religious leaders and state officials, whose support or silence makes abuse of power possible. Protecting democracy involves everyday people taking actions that strengthen the pillars to defend it, and refusing to let them be captured.
Understand the Pattern - Recognize the Warning Signs - Defend the Institutions
We are not the first society struggling against a slide into dictatorship and autocracy. In many countries people have confronted these dangerous developments, sometimes successfully, often only after many years of setbacks. We can learn from them. Democracies have been weakened – sometimes gradually, sometimes quite quickly - through familiar patterns: institutional erosion, normalization of abuses, and the gradual loss of civil rights. There is extensive international and U.S. research documenting these trajectories. Studying them helps us respond with resilience, discipline, and clarity—rather than fear or imitation of the tactics we oppose.
Our organization is committed to defending humanity, truth, and moral integrity—even under pressure. Resistance that abandons these values ultimately serves the same forces it claims to fight.
Additional Reading:
Maria Mar, “Twelve Steps to Reclaim Our Democracy”
https://mariamar.com/what-can-you-do-12-steps-to-reclaim-our-democracy-through-strategic-non-violent-resistance/
Other authors and texts we recommend: - Timothy Snider “On Tyranny” and “The Road to Unfreedom”, - Erica Chenowith “Civil Resistance - What Everybody needs to know”; - From the CNC, The International Center on Nonviolent Conflict PILLARS OF SUPPORT