The time has come for us to assert our First Amendment rights. We cannot remain silent while others attempt to bury our Constitution and Bill of Rights in their efforts to dismantle our democracy—and, along the way, destroy the lives of many of our fellow citizens. If we want change, it will require us to take risks in order to save lives and protect our democracy.

We can begin by reading as much as we can about current political conditions, and sharing these articles and our analysis with friends, family, and peers. Then, we might choose to sign petitions, make phone calls, and send emails to our elected officials. If possible, we should also attend rallies and marches whenever we can.

We might also consider reaching out to those who are bed- or wheelchair-bound and who could help with our outreach efforts. There are residents in senior or assisted living facilities who have the time and would appreciate being called up to join us while we move to do what is right and just.

You can take it a step further by organizing a committee to visit your elected official’s office weekly—especially if they do not hold town hall meetings. You can write letters to local newspapers and national publications. You can also donate to organizations that are taking our issues to court or others who are organizing important actions.

We need to work with and join broader coalitions whenever possible. This is not just about immigrants; it is about an ultra-right-wing movement that is attacking the very foundation of our democracy and freedoms.

You can also register voters, educate and encourage folks to run for office—and perhaps even consider running yourself. At a minimum, being a candidate gives you a platform to raise issues of democracy and human rights. Plus, it forces the opposition to spend resources defending their positions and candidates.

Let people know where you stand. You can do this by wearing the right buttons, hats, and t-shirts. You can also put up yard signs and add bumper stickers to your vehicle.

We must consider all the options available to us. And we should begin discussions about recalling politicians who are not willing to protect the Constitution and the rule of law. Even the news that citizens are exploring such actions will get the attention of the media and public officials—and provide another platform to spotlight these important issues.

Many elected officials fear retribution from the far-right, as these extremists threaten to «primary» them. These radicals call members of Congress, judges, and the media, issuing violent threats to silence those who dare speak out against the anti-democratic madness that has overtaken one political party.

Over the years, I have seen many courageous leaders—men and women—who inspired those of us on the sidelines to join them. Eventually, we recruited others, too. That is a powerful recipe for progress, if not victory.

History is filled with stories of everyday citizens standing up to tyranny and violence. Those willing to take a risk help create change and make the world better through their sacrifice.