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.

The Commons 2025
Civil Leadership Cohort

Launching in February 2025, this cohort creates space for participants to wrestle with the big questions that undergird our democratic society and movements for justice and equity: How do we define the moment we’re working in? How did we get here? What vision for justice and equity are we working toward? What and who do we need to get there? What stands in our way?

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
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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Democracy prevailed on January 6th, 2021
Democracy prevailed on January 6th, 2021

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

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Post-Election Update
Post-Election Update

The re-election of Donald Trump brings us to another disheartening moment in our nation's history. The dangers of Trump and his allies returning to power are significant. They’ve made clear their intent to rewrite the rules, target our communities and replace democracy with authoritarianism. In many ways, the last decade laid bare again the dangers of white nationalism, xenophobia, bigotry, and political violence. Like Trump's first presidential victory, Western States Center is not surprised — we’re ready. 

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