The First 100 Days: Can Civil Society Defend Democracy?

Muscular and robust civil society is critical to a functioning democracy. And yet, 100 days into the Trump administration, American civil society is under fire. Students exercising their first amendment rights are being deported, colleges are being forced to accept unprecedented levels of political interference or risk losing federal funding, media organizations are being banned, and law firms who defend rule of law are being sanctioned. Some civil society organizations are capitulating to the pressure, while others are standing their ground. 

This is all by design: Dismantling civil society is a hallmark first move of any authoritarian playbook.  

Please join New America with American University’s Department of Politics, Governance & Economics and CLASP (Center for Law and Social Policy), along with leaders from the higher education, legal, media, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors, for a discussion about the threats these sectors face and the ways in which civil society can collectively meet the moment and mobilize against authoritarianism. This is the second event at New America on April 29. Learn about and register the first event, Not Working for Workers: The First 100 Days of the Trump Administration.

Agenda:

Welcome and Opening Remarks

• Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO, New America

Fireside Chat: The War on Media, Law, and Higher Education

• Michael Roth, President, Wesleyan University
• Karen Attiah, Global Opinions Editor and Columnist, The Washington Post
• William Treanor, Dean, Georgetown University Law Center

Fireside Chat: The Constitutional Crisis is Here

• Bill Kristol, Editor, The Bulwark and Founding Director, Defending Democracy Together
• Loren Schulman, Founder, Future State
• Mary McCord, Executive Director, Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection (ICAP), Georgetown University Law Center

Remarks: The Role of Civil Society in Protecting Democracy

• Congressman Jason Crow (D - Colorado)

Fireside Chat: Civil Society Fights Back

• Dorian Warren, Co-President, Community Change
• Joe Goldman, President, Democracy Fund
• Skye Perryman, President and CEO, Democracy Forward

Light refreshments to follow.