Daring Deeds for Democracy

20 Easy, Fun Ways to Fight for Our Country

Many people feel overwhelmed by the rise of authoritarianism and wonder how to make a difference. The problem is that traditional activism-like making phone calls, attending rallies, or posting on social media-can feel exhausting or ineffective. If you want to engage friends and family in defending democracy without making it feel like another obligation, try these creative, enjoyable approaches.

Host a Resistance Game Night

• The Resistance - A social deduction game about hidden operatives
• Secret Hitler - A game about spotting authoritarianism before it's too late
• Codenames - A word game that encourages critical thinking
• Trivia Night - Categories like 'Famous Protests,' 'Know Your Rights,' and 'History of Authoritarianism'

Organize a Good Trouble Scavenger Hunt

• Registering one person to vote
• Sending an email to a local representative
• Putting up a pro-democracy yard sign
• Having a conversation with a skeptical relative
• Reading a banned book

Create a Democracy Club

• Writing postcards to voters
• Donating to voter registration drives
• Attending local government meetings
• Holding democracy-themed discussion nights

Host a Resistance Movie Night

• The Great Dictator - Charlie Chaplin's anti-fascist classic
• The Hunger Games - A story of rebellion against authoritarian rule
• Good Night, and Good Luck - Journalism vs. McCarthyism
• Cabaret - The rise of fascism in 1930s Germany
• Iron Jawed Angels - The fight for women's suffrage

Plan a Democracy Potluck

• Host a dinner where each dish is inspired by a culture threatened by authoritarianism.
• Over the meal, discuss one small action each person can take that week to support democracy.

Start a Banned Book Club

• 1984 by George Orwell
• The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
• Maus by Art Spiegelman
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Organize Kindness Flash Mobs

• Hand out flowers with pro-democracy messages
• Leave positive notes in public places
• Pay for someone's coffee with an encouraging message about civic engagement

Set Up a Vote for Democracy Bar Crawl

• Checking voter registration
• Texting a friend about an upcoming election
• Writing a postcard to a swing-state voter

Host a Craftivism Night

• Pro-democracy embroidery, paintings, or signs
• Stickers, buttons, or posters for community distribution
• DIY 'Resistance Care Packages' with postcards, stamps, and activism guides

Organize a Letters & Lattes Event

• Swing-state voters through Vote Forward or Postcards to Voters
• Local representatives on key issues
• People in disenfranchised communities to encourage engagement

Start a Free Speech Book Drop

• Place banned books in Little Free Libraries with notes about why reading matters.
• Leave books in unexpected places like waiting rooms or bus stops.

Play Truth or Fascism

• Create a game where players must determine whether a fact is real or propaganda.
• Examples: 'Did Florida pass a law banning the term "climate change"?' (Answer: Yes.)

Plan a Democracy & Donuts Meetup

• Host casual gatherings where people can ask questions about civic engagement in a low-pressure space.
• Providing food makes learning about democracy more inviting.

Hold a Protest Song Karaoke Night

• Fight the Power - Public Enemy
• We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
• Born This Way - Lady Gaga
• I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

Challenge Friends to Adopt a Non-Voter

• Encourage each person to get one non-voter to register and commit to voting.
• Make it a friendly competition with a prize for the person who signs up the most voters.

Start a Democracy Meme Battle

• Challenge friends to find or create the best pro-democracy meme each week.
• Humor is a powerful tool for spreading awareness and engagement.

Organize an Open Mic for Democracy

• Host a night where people can share poetry, music, or personal stories about activism and democracy.
• Giving people a platform to express themselves fosters connection and engagement.

Adopt a Journalist Project

• Encourage friends to follow and support real journalists who cover democracy and misinformation.
• Each person can 'adopt' a journalist to track their work and share important stories.

Volunteer with a Friend

• Turn activism into a social event by volunteering together at a local pro-democracy organization.
• Pair it with brunch or coffee to make it a fun experience.

Host an Election Night Watch Party with a Fascism Buzzer

• Gather friends to watch election returns and hit a buzzer every time a politician spreads disinformation.
• Provide snacks, drinks, and space to discuss the results.

Conclusion

Defending democracy does not have to feel overwhelming or exhausting. By turning civic engagement into a social, creative, and enjoyable experience, more people will feel inspired to take action. Small efforts, when multiplied, can create powerful change.

Find what works for you, gather your friends, and make democracy something people actually want to fight for.