"What can I do?"
That is the number 1 question I get asked. And at this time in our democracy -- or what remains of it when public servants put their loyalty to a person above their oaths of office— I am grateful that people are asking that question.
Above, I review a series of ideas for citizen engagement. I am sure there are more out there, but here are some initial thoughts.
As always, I am so grateful to your questions and comments.
Stay alert and strong.
–Andrew
P.S. – You can watch this video on YouTube, here.
Resources:
Legal and Policy Resources
1. Just Security – A legal and policy forum affiliated with NYU that provides in-depth analysis on national security, law, and justice. Includes a litigation tracker for ongoing lawsuits post-January 20th.
2. ICAP (Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection) – Based at Georgetown Law, this organization litigates to defend constitutional rights.
3. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – Engages in litigation and advocacy for civil liberties and democratic rights.
Political Engagement & Activism
4. Find Your Representatives – If you want to contact your representatives to voice your concerns, use this tool to find their contact information.
5. Support Democracy & Elections – Organizations working to protect voting rights and democratic institutions:
Ways to Get Involved
6. Donate to Advocacy Groups – Many of the lawsuits challenging governmental overreach are filed by advocacy groups. Check their websites for donation and volunteer opportunities.
7. Call and Email Your Representatives – Politicians pay attention to constituent outreach. Phone calls, emails, and letters can help influence policy decisions.
8. Stay Engaged with Independent Legal Analysis – Platforms like Just Security, Mary McCord (and my) Main Justice Podcast, and other legal forums help break down ongoing legal cases and policy issues.
TRANSCRIPT
What Can You Do?
The question I get the most, for understandable reasons, is: What on God’s green earth can I do?
For those of you who know me at this point, you know that when I say “on God’s green earth,” it’s because I really try not to curse. Privately, I don’t use that phrase—I use other phrases. But that’s the question I get: What can I do?
I have answered that question in two prior posts, and I will follow this conversation with those posts so that you have everything in one spot. These are some ideas for your consideration, depending on your interests, beliefs, and the level of activism you want to engage in.
Following this, there will also be some links to resources, including a tool to help you find the names and contact information of politicians who represent you. I hope you find this useful, and I want to share some additional information on what you can do.
A Valuable Resource: Just Security
One thing I do regularly is follow Just Security, a legal forum affiliated with NYU. It features contributions from legal scholars across different institutions and is a fantastic resource.
The articles are insightful, and while I don’t always agree with every viewpoint, I learn a lot from reading them. They sharpen my thinking and help me understand complex legal and policy issues.
Just Security also maintains a legal tracker, which is incredibly useful because there are so many lawsuits happening now. These lawsuits challenge actions taken post-January 20th, and the tracker organizes them by subject matter so you can easily follow the issues that matter most to you.
This tool is not only helpful in understanding what’s going on—it’s also a great way to see which organizations are actively pursuing legal action. If you want to get involved, you can check out these groups, learn about their work, and even support them.
What Can Everyday Citizens Do?
I love this question, and it’s the one I get the most. The good news? There’s a lot you can do.
First, don’t overlook the state and local level.
• Get involved with political and charitable organizations in your community.
• Support local advocacy groups working on issues that matter to you.
At the national level, if you’re politically active:
• Work on House and Senate races—not just presidential elections.
• Call, email, or write letters to your representatives. They pay attention to public opinion, and if you care about an issue, make sure your voice is heard.
• If you can, donate to candidates or advocacy groups that align with your values. Many of them also need volunteers.
I often hear from lawyers asking how they can get involved. If that’s you, reach out—I can help direct you to groups that need legal volunteers.
“What Can the Everyday Old Lady Do to Save Our Democracy?”
This might be my favorite question. No offense to the hundreds of others who submitted questions, but I love this one.
Last week, I shared several suggestions, but since then, I’ve thought of something else.
There are countless lawsuits challenging actions taken by this administration. Many of these lawsuits are brought by advocacy groups like:
• ICAP (Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection) at Georgetown Law
• The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union)
If you’re interested, here’s what you can do:
1. Look at these lawsuits.
2. Find out who is bringing the case—usually, their names are on the last page of the filing.
3. Go to their websites, learn about their work, and if you support their mission, donate or volunteer.
Final Thoughts
This is a democracy, and your voice matters.
Even when it feels like no one is listening, they are. People in power want to see whether we’re engaged or asleep at the wheel. If you care about this country as much as I do, now is the time to stay engaged.
And remember—there are big and small ways to help. Whether it’s calling your representatives, donating to legal and advocacy groups, or simply staying informed, every action makes a difference.
Let’s make sure we’re building the country we want to live in.
