The Workers Circle Convenes Democracy Leaders to Address “Where We Go From Here.”
Journalist Ari Berman, courts expert Marge Baker join democracy
movement leaders at the Workers Circle virtual mobilization
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 13, 2024
Contact: Lynsey Billet, lynsey@anatgerstein.com, 347-361-8449
New York, NY – One week after Election Day, the Workers Circle convened democracy leaders including award-winning author and journalist Ari Berman, Executive Vice President at People For the American Way and courts expert Marge Baker, and grassroots mobilization powerhouse and founder of the Center for Common Ground Andrea Miller. Together, with Noelle Damico, Director of Social Justice at the Workers Circle, the group explored the lay of the land post-election, and the power Americans have to fight back against efforts to weaken democratic institutions and to fight for the multiracial democracy, voting rights, and court reform we need. The event boasted more than 1,200 attendees.
Ann Toback, the CEO of the Workers Circle, said, “Tonight, just a week after the election, more than 2,200 people registered and more than 1,200 people came onto our zoom program, ready to get to work advancing a multiracial democracy in this critical moment. The event reminded us that we do have the power to fight back and build a future rooted in freedom and a robust democracy for everyone.”
“It is my honor to welcome our partners who help us think with seriousness about this moment and the power that we hold to forge the America we must become,” said Noelle Damico, Social Justice Director of the Workers Circle. “We the people must be both the bulwark and the compass of our democracy. We must not resign ourselves to being spectators. We know that what lies ahead will demand more of us. So we say ‘mir zaynen do/we are here’, we are here. We are here to resist. We are here to build. We are here for each other. We are here for our democracy.”
“A lot of people feel like democracy is broken and not working for them right now,” said award-winning author and journalist, Ari Berman. “States have become the laboratories of democracy. If the federal government feels hopeless, think about how we can take it back. We have to organize locally.”
“If there is something people want to do right now, you can call your Senators and tell them to confirm the pending judicial nominees. Leave no judge behind,” said Marge Baker, Executive Vice President at People for the American Way, and courts expert. “Take stock of what you want to accomplish and what your own point of leverage is. Sometimes it will be to resist. Find your allies and stay grounded in your values.”
“Our next elections are not the midterms in 2026. They are next year in 2025, starting with the Wisconsin Supreme Court primary in February 2025,” said Andrea Miller, Founder of the Center for Common Ground. “Our states are in a much better position to resist than we are as individuals or as small groups. We are going to need our states and local structures to be the first bulwark of defense.”
About the Workers Circle
The Workers Circle is a national, secular, Jewish social justice organization founded by Eastern European immigrants who came to the US fleeing autocracy and persecution, and seeking democratic freedoms and economic opportunities at the turn of the 20th century. That history drives our work for an inclusive democracy and human equality today. Our activism is rooted in 1,000 years of Yiddish culture and tradition. Through strategic social justice campaigns, vibrant Yiddish language classes, and interactive educational programs we power a multi-generational community of activists that is building “a better and more beautiful world for all.” Learn more at www.circle.org.
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