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.

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.

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.

The attempted insurrection threatened our democracy, but it’s important to remember it was exactly that — a failed attempt.