John,

Our Youth Organizer Spotlights feature the stories of young people who drive the collective local organizing power in the Alliance Network. So far, we’ve highlighted Black and rural youth organizers in the network, and today we’re back with another installment of our new storytelling project. 

This time, we collected nominations for the “hometown heroes” in our network, organizers doing incredible work to make the community they grew up in a better place.

Rija Nazir (she/her) – Wichita, Kansas

“As someone who has been involved in Kansas politics since I was 16, I felt an obligation to put my political knowledge to power during this primary election. When it comes to marginalized Wichitans, they are seldom given the opportunity to learn about upcoming elections and elected officials, let alone ballot measures…I felt as if this campaign was one step towards giving back.”

Pari Kemmick (she/her) – Billings, Montana

“I KNOW in my heart that the majority of people in my town want the best for each other and we just have to find the things that connect us all and that make everyone feel safe, seen and heard. I dream of a Billings that is not just safe for, but is celebratory of our queer community.”

Caro Gutierrez (she/they) – Miami, Florida

“…we are susceptible to all sorts of environmental disasters but see little action on our local government's end to address that instead of continuing to guzzle money out for luxury housing, and so much more. I'm tired of that, and I know that that sentiment is echoed by so many others here. So I'd like to see a community where we all actively learn how to play a role in protecting everybody, not just those with funds and power.”

Yanelis Valdes (she/her) – Hialeah, Miami-Dade, Florida

“The deeper I got into U.S. politics and learning about social justice movements, the more I began realizing that so many of the reasons I felt that I couldn’t thrive in Miami were because of conditions that we have the power to change as a community. I finally decided to come home and help build a Miami that really values and cares for us and our future.”

Next week, the Democracy Done Right (DDR) Week of Action continues. On Monday, August 29th, join our DDR Take Action Day. Protect and strengthen our democracy by signing our DDR petition, making a plan to vote this November, and calling on our elected leaders to defend our freedom to vote. 

Learn more about the Democracy Done Right campaign on the Alliance website, and stay updated throughout the week by following the Alliance on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

To celebrating the democracy defenders of our network,

Dakota Hall

Executive Director

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