Dear Democracy Defenders,

They say that action is the antidote for despair.

We were so incredibly glad to see such a massive turnout for our January meeting. To see so many new and familiar faces gathered in one room was a powerful reminder that none of us is alone in our pain or our resolve.

Many of us arrived with heavy hearts. We discussed the terror being inflicted on our local communities through the aggressive use of ICE, the brazen oil imperialism targeting Venezuela, and the surreal, dangerous threats of invading Greenland, a move that would effectively shatter eighty years of international order.

Moving Toward Hope and Awakening Others

By simply being together—by planning, sharing, and standing in solidarity—the atmosphere in the room changed to one of hope and action. You are a part of the WDDP because you haven’t lost hope. You are here because you refuse to look away, and you refuse to give up.

The horrors unfolding now shock the conscience, and we must use that shock to awaken those still on the sidelines. There are people in our lives who have become cynical or checked out, paralyzed by the sheer volume of bad news. It is our job to reach out to them.

We get it: It can feel overwhelming to go about the mundane tasks of work, chores, and family schedules while learning about MAGA Republican’s latest assault on our freedoms. That’s why community is important, too. Community helps us all remember that we aren’t alone in the overwhelm, that these aren’t normal times, and that we can all be here for each other.

The Work Ahead

There is a mountain of work to do in 2026. Wisconsin has a critical Supreme Court race on the horizon, and the upcoming midterms are looming. Beyond the elections, we face the daily necessity of resisting the MAGA agenda, shining a light on their overreach, and bringing others into the fold.

We cannot do this without you. We need your energy, your time, and your voice.

What can you commit to today to bring others to action?

In solidarity,

WDDP Leadership