All people can live free from fear.
Western States Center envisions inclusive democratic movements and societies rooted in justice and equity.
The four pillars of our work
Build Movements
We strengthen the organizing capacity of often-marginalized communities, with an emphasis on gender and racial justice.
Develop Leaders
We provide training, leadership development, and organizational capacity support to social justice movement leaders.
Shift
Culture
We convene culture-makers to shift the narrative and use culture as a vehicle for social change.
Defend Democracy
We help communities and civil society effectively respond to anti-democratic social movements.
New Resource!
Speaking Out Against Bigoted, Dehumanizing Rhetoric:
WHAT WE CAN DO
Now available!
As organizations with the shared goal of strengthening inclusive democracy, Western States Center (WSC) and our partners at Princeton’s Bridging Divides Initiative (BDI) are proud to release a new tool this week, "Speaking Out Against Bigoted, Dehumanizing Rhetoric: What We Can Do." The new guide documents the surge in antisemitic and Islamophobic hate incidents, explains the link between rhetoric and violence, and provides suggestions and resources to take action.
What if the January 6, 2021 Insurrection had been successful?
Written by Alan Jenkins and Gan Golan and illustrated by Will Rosado, 1/6 asks and answers the question: What if the January 6, 2021 Insurrection had been successful?
The graphic novel chillingly illustrates how close we came to authoritarian rule in America and the threats to our democracy that we still face. In the tradition of speculative fiction from George Orwell’s 1984 to Margaret Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale to the Twilight Zone, it explores themes of autocracy, scapegoating, strategic disinformation, and more, all told through a compelling, character-driven story.
Drawing on real-life events, 1/6 travels the road that led from back-room meetings, white supremacist rallies, and the Four Seasons Landscaping parking lot to a violent attack on the Capitol that left several Americans dead and shook our nation to its core.
The 4-issue series debuted in early 2023 with the first and second editions now available. Written by Alan Jenkins and Gan Golan. Artwork by Will Rosado. Colors by Lee Loughridge. With additional contributions by comics masters Shawn Martinbrough, Jamal Igle and more.
Access our Toolkits & Resources
We provide resources, toolkits, and trainings that equip communities, organizations, individuals and local governments to defend inclusive democracy.
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