Take Action
Activism To Save Democracy:
How to Get Active and Creative
Why We Must Do More Than “Business as Usual” We often participate in democracy by making a phone call, attending a book club, sending an email, signing a postcard or making a Facebook post. These things do matter; however, at moments like this, they are not enough. Democracy doesn’t weaken all at once. It erodes quietly when people disengage, when decisions go unchallenged, and when public spaces are left empty. That’s why it’s so important that we do more than business as usual. We need to show up at meetings and protests. We need to speak publicly, not just privately. We need to organize, to educate, and yes, sometimes we also need to take risks by being visible and persistent. Activism can be uncomfortable but you get used to it. Courage is contagious. When people step forward together, it changes the equation. It tells those in power that the community is paying attention. It creates accountability, and it strengthens the very foundation. Democracy depends on participation. History shows us that meaningful change has never come from silence or routine alone. It comes when ordinary people decide to act in extraordinary ways. So, the question isn’t whether our voices matter; it’s whether we’re willing to use them fully. "We are the ones we have been waiting for!"
How-To Activism
Resolutions:
Why & how to write resolutions
We learned that to make testimony effective, it needs to be given in response to a resolution. If a resolution does not exist, write one. The Hopium Chronicles taught us how to write resolutions. An example of how to outline your objectives is “ Outline for Medina County Commissioners Resolution”. The Hopium Chronicles is a newsletter and podcast offered by Simon Rosenberg, a long-time Democratic political analyst. Most of his videos and written information is free. The Resolutions Project was started in 2025 as a result of a Hopium Chronicles challenge to followers to assure that local politicians were adhering to the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. He framed Trump’s actions as a betrayal of these documents. A Hopium Chronicles listener, Deborah Potter from New Mexico submitted a resolution Defending our U.S. Constitution and Separation of Powers to the Bernalillo Board of County Commissioners. She learned that the process requires knowledge of council members, meeting dates, submission rules and hearing process. Investigate the process for public testimony for the group before which you will give testimony. Gather some citizens to accompany you and give testimony. The process influenced community members to debate democratic principles and Trump’s abuses. Council members had to defend their oath of office regardless of party. She testified and gathered 12 county residents to submit written comments or testify in person. The community experienced a history lesson for the Constitution and a civics lesson in how the system works in their town. Proceedings appeared in local media and on public access TV and were entered into public meeting records. The resolution was accepted in the right-leaning town after months of community discussion. Others inspired by Hopium Chronicles are working at the county or city level in their communities. Resolutions in planning or in progress in e.g. AZ, WA, NJ, NC, MA, CA, MN, IA. As of August 2025, there are 64 resolutions presented locally in 20 states. Boston hung an enlarged version of their resolution in public for citizens to sign and dedicate to future generations. Many resolutions are the subject of op eds and local news. We are seeking ways that ordinary citizens might be visible supporting Democracy and resisting Autocracy while holding elected officials accountable to their oath. We are seeking ways to encourage community dialogue. Who here will present Resolutions to elected officials in our local communities? Good news either way. If the council agrees to hear it, they might look silly to vote it down. If they refuse to hear it, it seems they might look silly to refuse affirming Democracy. The local media needs to be involved with the effort. We learned similar lessons in Medina Ohio. Video clips of local testimony are posted here.
Testimony:
Why & how to give testimony
Showing up to speak at your local city council or county commissioners meeting isn’t just symbolic. It’s one of the few places where ordinary residents can directly influence how power is exercised. Bodies like the Medina County Board of Commissioners and local city councils make decisions on policing, public records, elections administration support, and civil liberties that can either reinforce democratic norms or enable overreach. Local testimony matters because authoritarian trends don’t start in Washington. They take root in everyday decisions about transparency, fairness, and accountability. When residents speak up, they put democratic values on the public record, influence policy before it’s set, and signal that the community is paying attention. Giving testimony creates a public record officials must answer to. It helps shape decisions before they become policy. Testimony encourages other residents to engage in the mission. It reminds leaders that they are accountable to the people, not just party or power. Very important is testimony gives visibility to your cause especially when you learn how to engage the press. Even a short, calm, fact-based statement can shift tone, slow harmful proposals, or build momentum for better ones. When you write down your thoughts and feelings about an issue, you organize those musings into a coherent thesis. And you only get better with practice. One fact that we learned about testimony before local government is that it is more effective in response to an existing resolution. If a resolution doesn’t exist, write one. We provide tips and examples on how to write resolutions. We also provide tips on how to engage the press. Testimony should be 3-5 minutes in length if read aloud. It should start with your name and address and state the purpose such as in response to a known resolution. Testimony should request the community leaders respond in a particular manner as vote to accept and follow the resolution and perhaps include a timeframe. A typed copy of the testimony is left with the legislative/leadership body. Below you will find examples of written testimony presented to Medina County Commissioners and Medina City Council. Local commissioner and city council meetings are usually videotaped and broadcast on their social media (Facebook page or local TV). We are including snippets from some of our testimony as tutorials and frankly, you can laugh and learn from our mistakes. I make plenty of mistakes for you to learn from. Testimony for state House or Senate bills can be sent electronically. I will describe how to do this in a future post.
From Red Wine & Blue:
How to give testimony
In Ohio, you have the right to testify or submit written-only testimony on bills in Statehouse committees. (In-person testimony is preferred if possible) Has an Ohio HOUSE committee scheduled a hearing on a bill you care about? Follow this process: HOW TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY (in-person OR written-only): 1.) Make sure the committee is accepting the type of testimony you want to submit. Types of testimony: Proponent (supporter) Opponent Interested Party (You have concerns about pieces of the bill but don’t want to support or oppose it yet) If they aren’t accepting your type of testimony at this hearing, they likely will at the next one! 2.) Write your testimony See testimony template below. 3.) Upload your testimony to the Committee website — whether you’re testifying in-person or not. Upload it at least 24 hours before the committee start time EXAMPLE: If the testimony starts at 3:00 pm on Wednesday, upload your testimony by 3:00 pm on TUESDAY Make sure to fill out all the questions provided when you upload your testimony This replaces the “witness slip” previously used by Statehouse committees 3.5) HOW TO UPLOAD your testimony to the Committee website https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/committees/house-committees Click on your bill’s committee Click “meetings” Click the date of the hearing you’re submitting testimony for Click ”upload testimony” Fill out the witness information and upload your testimony (If you’re submitting written-only testimony, that’s it! You’re done! You officially testified written-only. If you’re testifying in-person, see below.) 4.) Arrive at the Statehouse before the committee is scheduled to begin. Parking recommendations: The Ohio Statehouse underground garage Located underneath the Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, 43215 Columbus Commons Underground Parking Garage 191 S. Third Street Columbus Commons Main Garage (above ground) 55 E. Rich Street & 56 E. Main Street NOTE: You’ll need to go through a metal detector when you arrive at the Statehouse. You’ll put your bags, purse, phone, keys, and other items through a metal detector (similar to the airport but not as intense) You will personally pass through a metal detector as well Worried about getting lost in the Statehouse? You can ask the security guards/state troopers at the metal detector to direct you to the committee room NOTE: Signs ARE permitted inside the Statehouse, but they are not permitted in the committee room 5.) Bring a printed copy of your testimony with you to read in front of the committee You do not have to read your testimony word for word! Many people don’t!) 6.) You may also want to bring copies to hand to reporters — you can contact reporters ahead of time to let them know you (and your group) will be testifying! 7.) AFTER YOU’RE FINISHED SPEAKING: Legislators may ask you questions. They are more likely to ask questions if you provide data/statistics or present yourself as having professional experience related to the bill. This can be awesome! But be prepared to back up your testimony! After each question, try to start your response with the words, “Through the Chair, to the Representative…” AFTER THE COMMITTEE: After the committee is over, we also recommend taking some additional steps to increase the impact of your testimony: Contact the committee members (be polite!), remind them about your testimony, and offer to meet/speak with them to discuss the issue further. SPREADSHEET: State House & Senate CONTACT Information (2025 - 2026) Check out the tabs to find contact info for the committee where you testified Find your testimony on the Ohio legislature website, and share it on social media! Urge others to contact the committee too How to find testimonies online after a committee hearing All written and in-person testimonies are posted online and shareable Create a video clip of yourself testifying, and share it on social media! Urge others to contact the committee too Slideshow — How to pull video clips from OhioChannel.org Document — How to pull video clips from OhioChannel.org TESTIMONY TEMPLATE: Chair _________, Vice Chair ________, Ranking Member ________, and members of the _________Committee, Thank you for allowing me to testify today. My name is ________. I am [basic bio about who you are]. I am strongly opposed to (or I strongly support) [Bill Number]. [Then tell them why! Make it short and sweet - a few paragraphs is perfect. Tell a personal story. Or explain why your job experience gives you this perspective on the bill. Maybe cite some statistics or case studies to back up your claims] I ask you to consider my testimony and vote [NO/YES] on this [harmful/dangerous/important/life-saving/etc.] bill. Thank you again for the opportunity to testify. [If you’re testifying in-person] I will now take any questions you may have.
Democratic Central Committee:
Being a Leader by Kathy Juliano
With my acceptance of the appointment with the Central Committee, I was given a list of responsibilities, suggested activities in which to engage and tools to reach out to the precinct residents. I asked Susan Parish Scwab, a neighbor, friend and staunch Democrat to assist as Precinct Organizer. First, it was important to familiarize myself with the boundaries and addresses of the precinct. I acquired a map from Medina Town Hall. For better visualization at meetings, I had Staples enlarge it and place a backing on it for presentation purposes. It was necessary to identify the Democrats, Independents and, even, Republicans with whom we needed to communicate. We called our efforts A FRONT PORCH because we wanted this to be open to anyone of like minds – not just Democrats. There is a frank recognition that the Democrats alone will not have the numbers to effect change. We need Independents and Republicans to join the cause. The Medina Board of Elections is a fount of information! By utilizing their programs, I was able to make lists of all the registered voters in the precinct by party. VoteBuilder is a computer program provided by the Medina Democratic Party. It was instrumental in determining those whose voting records skewed towards the Democratic Party…Democrats, Independents and Republicans. I proceeded to make lists of residents by party and street address. DEM – Democrats Empower Medina – a very politically active group in Wadsworth - had printed a postcard for the purpose of introducing Central Committee Members to their precinct residents. I did purchase enough to send to all those on my list that skewed Democrat. The Medina Democratic Party offered a $100 grant for postage. I not only introduced myself to the precinct residents with the card but also invited them to join Susan and myself for our first Granger Township Precinct A Meeting. The Highland Library has a community room which is a perfect meeting place. It is local, parking is plentiful, and the librarians welcome our group. I was able to reserve the space rent free as a non-profit. We can bring light refreshments for our members, too. At our first meeting, we went around the room and asked people to express their thoughts and emotions regarding the current political environment. It was apparent that most if not all were frustrated, angry, scared, and disheartened. Having participated in the activities of local political organizations by joining others in discussions, rallies and projects, one can develop a sense of purpose that will help dispel some of the negativity and loneliness. I prepared flyers and contact information for these organizations that are accessible to our residents at each meeting. Wanting to build a community amongst the precinct residents, we felt that it was best to schedule meetings on a nearly monthly basis. With each meeting, we gather email addresses of the attendees. We send out follow-up emails to those for whom we have the email addresses and first-class letters to the precinct residents on our lists. The correspondence serves to wrap up the meetings, offers further information and links to follow, announces the date of the next meeting, and when timely, provides voter information. I do pay for the mailings myself. The meetings present myriad topics as we ask those who were instrumental in their organizations, such as DEM, Medina County Indivisible, Medina Mavens, We The People Ohio, etc. to join us and to discuss the nature of their work. We have had several candidates who were running for office speak to the group. An executive member of the Medina County Democratic Party spoke about the local political “nuts and bolts”. A member of a non-profit group to help Medina children spoke of their needs. All our presenters encouraged residents to take part in the grass roots efforts. We do engage in Call To Action items like postcard writing, Letters to the Editors, find yard sign locations for our local candidates and assemble meal kits for a local pantry. However, we do direct everyone to the local action groups as they have more resources. The most important aspect of Central Committee is to encourage residents to vote. In the March 19, 2024 Primary Election, out of 832 registered voters = 197 ballots were cast, 42 Democrats and 155 Republicans voted – 23.68% of our precinct. 1n May 5, 2026 Primary election = out of 801 registered voters, 183 ballots cast, 84 Democrats and 99 Republicans voted – 22.85% of our precinct. What impact did we make? Who knows…but it's promising.
