Season 5 | Episode 16 (Show 208) - View on YouTube
April 18, 2025: “Reclaiming Democracy - Broadening the Resistance”
This week’s Friday Power Lunch delivered truth with urgency—because we are not just watching democracy unravel, we’re watching the consequences of decades of neglect, disinformation, and silence. As John Lewis reminded us: “Democracy is not a state. It is an act.” And that act is now in our hands. It is so true that a functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy, educated, participatory people and educated, morally grounded leaders.
Too many weren’t listening. Too many were never taught what was at stake.
But we must stop whispering. It’s time to get loud enough to be heard over the lies.
We opened the show the way we always do—with music that meets the moment. Katherine took us to the heart of the fight with Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World,” fused with bold truth-telling from Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. They refused to whisper what must be said loud enough to be heard over the propaganda.
In the video below, AOC props up the mirror to give us a taste of the fight!
Power Chat: Democracy Dies in Decorum
We looked back at Congressman Al Green, who interrupted the silence during the State of the Union. Because when the stakes are this high, decorum becomes complicity.
Click on the video below for Finale’s take on Al Green:
Senator Bernie Sanders laid it out—these times demand unprecedented actions. Katherine spotlighted the injustice across the globe and right here at home, including Senator Chris Van Hollen’s brave trip to El Salvador to directly confront authoritarianism. This Power Chat was a no-holds-barred conversation on what it will take to save our democratic soul. [🎥 Watch the full segment here.]
⚖️ The Save Act (HR-22): The Republicans’ Latest Voter Suppression Weapon
Aaron Mukerjee of Elias Law Group broke it down in the video below.
“The Save Act is a solution looking for a problem.”
Under this bill, millions of Americans would be required to show documentary proof of citizenship to vote— even blocking access for those who’ve voted for years without issue because of a simple change of address triggering the need to register. Online Voter registration and voter registration drives would be a thing of the past.
Think it won’t affect you? Think again. Many assume the upcoming Real ID will suffice, but only five states offer the "enhanced" version that would meet the standard.
Aaron breaks it down in the video below:
This is not just voter suppression. This would be the first time in U.S. history that a federal regulation would restrict—not expand—the right to vote. This would be a symbolic and strategic defeat for democracy itself.
🗳️ VIRGINIA VOTERS: Nothing has changed here yet. You can and must vote. When Democrats flipped Virginia blue in 2019, they ushered in sweeping expansions to voting rights. Virginia is for voters! Read about voting in-person, by mail absentee, or how to apply to be on the permanent absentee ballot here. Early voting starts May 2 through June 14 for the Primary election on June 17, 2025.
November 4th, 2025, is the date for the General Election for Governor, Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, and the House of Delegates. Early voting begins on September 19! Spread the word.
Aaron's full segment is essential viewing—especially his breakdown of the chaos this law could unleash and what you can do right now. [🎥 Don’t miss it here.]
👩⚖️ Women Lawyers on Guard: Literally
Cory Amron, President of Women Lawyers on Guard, reminded us: “The forces attacking reproductive rights and the forces undermining democracy are the same. Same people. Same money. Same endgame.”
She’s been leading Project Democracy—a coalition of names, groups, and grassroots defenders—because we need coordination, not silos.
Cory painted a picture of democracy as a tug of war. Right now, we’re outnumbered on the rope, not in spirit, and Women Lawyers on Guard have a strategy.
Democracy isn’t just about ballots. It’s about education, civility, nonviolence, and—above all—truth.
Cory left us with the reminder we all needed: “Courage is a team sport.” See the entire informative segment right here.
To Win, We Must Broaden the Resistance
We closed out with Anthony Flaccavento, co-founder of the Rural Urban Bridge Initiative (RUBI).
Because here’s the truth: We cannot save democracy without rural America.
Anthony traced the roots of rural distrust—not to ignorance, but to decades of disconnection, disinvestment, and top-down solutions that ignored local wisdom. To build trust again, we must listen, learn, and show up with humility and respect.
If we want to broaden the resistance, we must includes every voice that believes in justice, dignity, and democratic renewal.
The Resistance can broaden who we are and RUBI has ideas and a strategy. Prioritize how Trump/Musk have betrayed rural and working class people.
The Resistance must fight for everyone. We can’t assume that rural America sees us fighting for them, so we must speak louder on their behalf too. There's so much that Trump/Musk has done to farmers and rural communities, and we must show that we are just as outraged.
There are enough of us to advocate for everyone. A democracy cares for all its people. The Constitution protects everyone in our country; if that fails, none of us is safe.
Anthony and I concluded with a discussion on how race does play into rural grievance. It is something that we are still wrestling with, but we are open and willing to have the discussion for the sake of Democracy. You can watch the full segment here.
This is not just a recap. It’s a roadmap.
If you’ve been asking what you can do—start by showing up, speaking out, and plugging in. Watch the full show, share it widely, and join our community. Because reclaiming Democracy and broadening the Resistance — starts with you and me.
A hot, hot After Chat
Just three words: They all stayed!
🕛 Join us live next Friday at noon— April 25th for our National Show
We will talk about Community Building with:
Hali Lee, author of “The Big We,” the future of philanthropy belongs to community action when people come together, the power of we over me.
Cecilia Minalga of the Bay Area Coalition, “House Parties to Build Community-Organizing 101.”
Bret Healy, Four Directions- Native Communities advancing equality at the ballot box across Indian Country.
See ya then,
Katherine and Finale 💙
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