In the immediate aftermath of the January 6, 2021 insurrection, religious leaders across the United States moved swiftly to reframe the events as not just political unrest, but a moral and democratic crisis. Leaders from numerous faith traditions condemned the violent attack on the Capitol, denouncing it as a betrayal of American democracy and a perversion of religious values.

A bipartisan group of Wisconsin business leaders formed the Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy to counter misinformation and protect the integrity of elections following attacks on the 2020 results. Through civic engagement efforts like voter education toolkits, paid time off for voting, and letters of support for election officials, the group worked to redeem public trust in election workers and reframe partisan narratives that undermined democracy.

In 2014, after 27 years in power, Burkina Faso’s then president Blaise Compaoré sought to remove term limits so that he could remain in power indefinitely. While Compaoré had long functioned as a semi-authoritarian leader, removing term limits would have made a shift to democracy significantly more difficult. Sensing a unique (and fleeting) opportunity, the youth of Burkina Faso gathered together to lead a transformative protest movement which revealed the authoritarian nature of such a move and reframed a seemingly dire situation as an opportunity for the people to work together to make change by taking to the streets.

In a shock move in early December 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea declared martial law – banning all political activities, gatherings, and essentially any act of opposition to the government. While President Yoon’s authoritarian leanings were not secret, the abruptness of this development caught many South Koreans off guard. Nevertheless, they did not let the benefit of surprise undercut their opposition.

Ruby Freeman and Shay Moss faced relentless threats and racist disinformation for simply doing their jobs as election workers. But instead of backing down, they fought back—exposing lies, winning in court, and proving that truth still holds power. Their courage is now a beacon for election workers everywhere, showing that no amount of intimidation can erase democracy.

On March 7th, 1965, hundreds of people began to march peacefully in Selma, but the work leading up to that day began well before. For years, groups like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee had been holding lunch counter sit-ins and Freedom Rides to advocate for equal rights for Black Americans…