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.

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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.

Safeguarding Arts & Culture Spaces:
A Pro-Democracy Guide for Idaho Venues

Readers will gain the resources to develop policies, protocols, and practices that can be the foundation for a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment. This will help venues respond to challenges and build capacity for mitigating and managing difficult situations.

Discover
Western States Center’s
Impactful Resources

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. Volume 2 is Now Available!

Access our Toolkits & Resources

We provide resources, toolkits, and trainings that equip communities, organizations, individuals and local governments to defend inclusive democracy.

 

Newsroom

NEWSROOM
Western States Center Applauds Courageous Defense Against Recent Attack on Democracy in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Western States Center Applauds Courageous Defense Against Recent Attack on Democracy in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Western States Center applauds Dr. Teresa Borrenpohl for her bravery in defending inclusive democratic values at the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee town hall meeting in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. She displayed remarkable courage, safeguarding freedom of speech and our collective right to express our opinions peacefully even when we disagree with those in power.

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Advocates Call on Congress to Refuse to Legitimize “Invasion” Conspiracy Theory
Advocates Call on Congress to Refuse to Legitimize “Invasion” Conspiracy Theory

Today, Western States Center — a non-partisan organization that works to strengthen inclusive democracy and help communities and institutions counter organized bigotry and anti-democracy activity — sent a letter to Congress with more than 83 civil and human rights organizations, labor unions, and community-based groups urging  Congress to reject legislation and not to fund executive actions that rely on the false and bigoted “invasion” conspiracy theory.

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Community calls for Port of Coos Bay to to cut ties with white nationalists
Community calls for Port of Coos Bay to to cut ties with white nationalists

For months, community members in the small, coastal town of Coos Bay, Oregon have been voicing their concerns about a prominent local figure who was identified as an active leader in the neo-Nazi movement.

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