Our team has been reflecting over the past week about the challenging time we are in, how it impacts our work and the larger environment. 

It’s a sobering, terrifying time in our country. Political violence is increasing, and more political violence begets more political violence. Every shooting, murder, and assassination adds to the body count, and those bodies are the brutal evidence of a country in an unhealthy spiral. Our heart breaks for every life lost, for each family and community. 

When people are gunned down — no matter if we agree with them or not — it makes the work of advancing spirited debate, supporting candidates running for office, and organizing around issues and building leaders so much harder.  It’s the opposite of a Fair Fight — it’s the ultimate unfair fight, and it’s breaking all of us along with our democracy.

We condemn political violence, and we condemn those who use violence to advance their own agenda. We condemn those who escalate rather than deescalate in the aftermath of unspeakable horrors.

From the deaths of Charlie Kirk and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, to the death threats and doxxing of those who speak up or get caught in the crossfire of disinformation and violent rhetoric — like Ruby Freeman, or leaders like Governor Whitmer, who faced a kidnapping attempt.

Political violence is all around us, locally and nationally; it’s terrifying and unacceptable. 

Yet, we persist. We organize, we speak out, and we fight on, because it’s not only our right but our duty to advance an inclusive, robust, messy democracy where we strive to support leaders and push our institutions to truly serve the people. 

Where elections are free and fair expressions of our will. Where leaders, organizers, and activists can come together and make change. Where we can engage in thoughtful, robust debate, and vehemently disagree with our opponents, but also find common cause in our shared humanity and in this shared country of ours. Where our coalitions can be broad and deep, but we can also stake out unpopular opinions. Where making our unique voices heard and respected is crucial. Where voter suppression isn’t a policy choice. Where we can all agree that expanding access to participating in our democracy is how we best serve our nation. 

We also respond to violence with deep care and compassion for each other: from our supporters to our broader community. 

I sit in Atlanta, in John Lewis’ congressional district, and I’ve been reflecting on how he talked about love as strength, about nonviolence, and our role in making good trouble to fight for justice. The moment is heavy, but I am also filled with gratitude to do this work with such an incredible team and community.

Our organization was born in response to the crisis of the deepening callousness of the modern voter suppression machine. Together we bring happiness and optimism to this fight for our freedom to vote, our freedom of expression, and our freedom to live our lives. And we are undeterred in our mission today.

Together,

Lauren Groh-Wargo
CEO, Fair Fight