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.
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.
Open Sign-On Letter from Oregon Elected and Community Leaders Denouncing Political Violence and Upholding Election Integrity
As elected officials and community leaders, in preparation for the 2024 general election, we reaffirm our shared commitment and responsibility to protect and uphold our democracy.
Open Sign-On Letter from Southwest Washington & Statewide Leaders Denouncing Political Violence, Upholding Election Integrity & Supporting Democracy
As leaders, we reaffirm our shared commitment and responsibility to help protect and uphold our democracy on today’s Election Day and every day. This is especially vital in the face of a recent attempt to deny Clark County voters their critical voice by destroying hundreds of local ballots through a drop box arson.
New Resources!
Navigating the 2024 Election
Now available!
Western States Center has released new impactful toolkits to help you navigate the upcoming election.
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.
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