Protest is essential. And yet it’s not enough. Democracy Academy aims to help citizens not only speak out but also stand up—by elevating their involvement in effective activism.
Through a series of action-oriented workshops, Democracy Academy aims to help participants build the knowledge, skills, and tools that they need to resist autocracy and rebuild democracy.
Democracy Academy workshops will take place on October 18, 2025—No Kings Day—from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Lucie Stern Community Center.
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One Million Rising: Building Sustained Resistance to Authoritarianism
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Do you wish you could do more to resist authoritarianism than join a march or a protest? Building people power is essential to rebuilding our democracy. That’s the core objective of the One Million Rising initiative.
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to use the One Million Rising toolkit, how to find your place in the resistance movement, and how to help others in your community find their place.
This session is repeated at 2:00 PM– 3:00 PM.
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What's Happening to Our Immigrant Neighbors and What We Can Do About It
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Sweeping, heedless ICE raids. Lawless abductions. Deportations without due process. Disruptive firings of immigration judges. Across the country, and within our community, our immigrant neighbors are at the forefront of the current assault on American liberty.
In this workshop, you’ll learn about the latest developments in immigration courts, along with best practices for protecting asylum seekers and undocumented immigrants.
WORKSHOP LEADERS
Margaret Kadifa, immigration reporter for Mission Local in San Francisco
Alison Kamhi, director of legal programs at the Immigration Legal Resource Center in San Francisco
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Understanding and Learning from Youth Engagement
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
Arguably, no previous generation has been so engaged in social justice as Generation Z. What can we learn from the current cohort of high school students who represent Gen Z? What issues are they passionate about? How is social media informing and shaping their engagement?
In this workshop, local students will discuss their activism experience and share their perspectives on Gen Z engagement.
WORKSHOP LEADER
Nicole Chiu-Wang, executive director of Pathwise, a nonprofit after-school enrichment program in Palo Alto, and a member of the Executive Committee for the Silicon Valley/San Jose Chapter of the NAACP.
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Strategies and Spiritual Nourishment for Faith-Based Activism
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
Throughout American history, religious communities have played a pivotal role in advancing social justice and reinforcing democracy. Today, religious leaders around the country—and in our region—are again making important contributions to our democratic experiment.
In this workshop, justice-minded local clergy members will share insights on mobilizing religious communities to fight autocracy. Participants will sample inspiring texts from a range of traditions, and learn how faith communities are stepping up to meet the current authoritarian challenge.
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Amplify Your Voice: A Workshop for New Activists
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Local activists are pursuing multiple strategies to achieve political, social, and economic change, with methods that range from economic boycotts and postcard writing to community organizing and running for office.
In this workshop, speakers will discuss a wide range of topics related to effective advocacy, including Proposition 50, climate justice, and social media. Participants will receive information and inspiration about initiatives that they can join right away.
WORKSHOP LEADERS
Julie Lythcott-Haims (moderator), member of the Palo Alto City Council
Emily Berman, member of the Indivisible Palo Alto Plus Truth Brigade
Jennifer DiBrienza, community activist and former member president of the Palo Alto School Board
Anne Frahn and Dave Martinez, community activists and members of Swing Left
Jessica Richter, artist, art teacher, and creator of Get It Out, an expressive arts approach to the current moment
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One Million Rising: Building Sustained Resistance to Authoritarianism
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Do you wish you could do more to resist authoritarianism than join a march or a protest? Building people power is essential to rebuilding our democracy. That’s the core objective of the One Million Rising initiative.
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to use the One Million Rising toolkit, how to find your place in the resistance movement, and how to help others in your community find their place.
This session repeats a session at 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.