The Democracy Defenders Roadshow is officially underway!
This past Friday, we launched the first stop of the tour in St. Paul, Minnesota, where community members gathered for a powerful opening event co-sponsored by Participatory International Policy and the Minnesota Democracy Defense Table, and hosted at the Groundwork Institute Minnesota.
The event drew a standing-room-only crowd for a 90-minute program grounded in a simple but urgent idea: communities in the United States have much to learn from those who have defended democracy under pressure across Latin America.
Global Exchange Co-Executive Director Ted Lewis opened the program by recognizing the local resistance Minnesotans have mounted in defense of immigrant communities and civil rights, and connecting those struggles to the experiences our speakers have lived through in their own countries.
The panel featured:
Alí Bantú Ashanti of Colombia, who spoke about the urgent need for international solidarity in the face of rising fascism, and the importance of coordinated action across borders.
Mynor Alonso of Guatemala, who shared lessons from coalition-building and civic organizing in Guatemala, while reminding us that democratic gains remain fragile and require sustained pressure to defend.
Elena Gutierrez of Mexico, who discussed the contradictions of Mexico’s current political moment, including the ongoing crisis of enforced disappearances and the flow of U.S. firearms across the border that continues to fuel violence with near-total impunity.
Following the presentations, participants had the opportunity to meet with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and members of his staff, who attended the event. The exchange reflected exactly what the roadshow is designed to foster: a deeper connection between domestic struggles and international movements for democracy, justice, and human rights.
The audience included many people who have been active in local organizing efforts, including members of Disabled in Action Minnesota and others from the disability rights movement. Their presence helped ground the conversation in the lived experience of communities already working to defend rights, safety, and participation here at home.
This first gathering made one thing clear: people are hungry for spaces where we can learn from one another, connect across movements, and talk honestly about how to defend democracy before it is too late.
And we are only getting started.
From Minnesota, the Democracy Defenders Roadshow continues through communities across the Midwest, South, Mid-Atlantic, and both coasts. Upcoming and planned stops include Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, California, and Texas.
Each stop is shaped in partnership with local organizations and community leaders. Together, we are creating spaces for public dialogue, strategy exchange, and cross-border learning rooted in the belief that democracy is strongest when people learn from one another.
You can learn more about the roadshow, speakers, and upcoming events here and make sure to follow us on social media @globalexchange for updates and footage from the events.
Thank you for being part of the Global Exchange community. We look forward to sharing more updates as the roadshow continues.
