1: 1776 to 1791—COLONISTS REJECT THE TYRANNY OF KING GEORGE III AND ESTABLISH THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR DEMOCRACY BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE THAT ‘ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL’ The Declaration of Independence (1776), the U.S. Constitution (1787), and the Bill of Rights (1791) emphasize the right of people to reject tyranny, limit the power of government, and protect individual liberties and rights for all people. 2: 1936—A PRO-NAZI ORGANIZATION IS ESTABLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES The “American Bund,” a pro-Nazi organization created by American citizens, opens 20 youth camps in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin to promote the goals of Adolph Hitler and undermine our democracy. Widespread protests, government investigations, and the start of WWII result in the dismantling of the organization. 3: Late 1970’s—PRO-NAZI ORGANIZATIONS BEGIN TO RE-EMERGE IN U.S. 1978: A small group of Nazis attempt to march in Skokie, Illinois where many holocaust survivors lived. A lawsuit is filed. 2010’s— “Alt Right,” a white supremacy movement, advocates pro-Nazi beliefs and supports 2016 election of Trump 2017—Neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan members, and other white supremacists march in the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, Virginia shouting racist and antisemitic language. January 2021—Far-right extremist groups participate in the siege of the capitol displaying symbols of white power. 2021 – U.S. Atty General, Merrick Garland, identifies white supremacy as the greatest domestic threat to U.S. 4: AMERICANS UNITE TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY The legacy of the 1930s pro- Nazi influence and the resurgence of efforts by some politicians and far-right organizations inspire representatives from both major political parties to put aside party affiliation differences to unite in one common purpose: to defend our democracy. This action a response to recent legislative action, Supreme Court decisions, and the surfacing of a document called Project 2025—Presidential Transition Project. 5: PROJECT 2025 THREATENS OUR DEMOCRACY Project 2025—Presidential Transition Project, was written by 31 former Trump administrative officials and other board members of Project 2025. The non-partisan organization Democracy Forward states, Project 2025 “. . .is among the most profound threats to the American people.” One example of what is proposed in Project 2025 is a plan designed to increase the powers of the Executive Branch by placing the Department of Justice under its control. This single act would give the president the power to investigate, arrest, or imprison any person, who is determined to be a threat to the president’s power. This act would be a direct assault on our Constitution, and along with the Supreme Court’s recent decision on presidential immunity, would make the president immune from prosecution for crimes committed in any “official act,” 6: THE SURVIVAL OF OUR DEMOCRACY IS IN YOUR HANDS Your vote can determine whether democracy survives or succumbs to the latest rise of extremism, hate groups, and those focused on gaining absolute control over our government. --- [This article was provided by Mary Aschenbrener, a recent visitor to our website. The original author is not known. For more on Project 2025 click on PROJ 2025 menu item in the header are above]