Politically motivated harassment and attacks against democracy advocates and pro-democracy organizations aren’t just damaging for those targeted. In aggregate, they threaten the civil society that forms a crucial part of American democracy.
When citizens’ groups are harassed, subjected to public ridicule or embarrassment, made to comply with onerous or politically motivated restrictions, or shut down, the “civic space” between citizens and the government is closed. Without these mediating institutions, citizens lose the ability to unite together to protect their rights and interests against government overreach.
American democracy relies on the freedom of citizens to unite together to advocate for their preferred candidates and policies. Yet at the local, state, and national level, individuals, advocacy organizations, companies, and even sports leagues have been subject to threats and arbitrary and capricious penalties for standing on the side of American democracy.
Republic Affairs exists to help keep the civic space open by defending the rights and reputations of pro-democracy organizations and individuals. By supporting our clients, we support the best traditions of openness, pluralism, and freedom in American democracy.