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Protests As Democracy
Jul 08, 2025
Malicious, unjust treatment of immigrants. A proposed budget designed to put money in the pockets of billionaires while cutting services that millions of people depend on. Executive overreach and blatant disregard of due process. All this and more have sparked protests across the country over the last few weeks. The people are speaking out about what we want for our country through mass demonstrations—a fundamentally democratic act with deep roots in American history.
But our research into how Americans think about democracy has surfaced something we need to be attentive to in this moment: While people are quick to identify voting as a cornerstone of democracy, other forms of democratic participation aren’t as top-of-mind. Mass demonstrations were rarely understood as a way for people to make their voices heard.
When people reduce democracy to the act of casting a vote, it’s not a stretch to frame actions outside of elections as illegitimate. Formal elections can be understood as the only time we the people get to “legitimately” express our will.
That leaves mass demonstrations vulnerable to being framed as un-American or undemocratic. And at a time when law enforcement and the military are being used to suppress dissent, we need to do everything we can to help people see protest as a key form of democratic participation.
That’s why it’s so important to consistently frame protests as how we the people express our will. Language like this can help people draw the connection between protest and democracy:
- The people of Los Angeles are taking to the streets to give voice to their views and speak up for what they believe.
- Protests are how we the people express our will. That’s not something to suppress—it’s something to celebrate.
- In a democracy, we shouldn’t shut down the voices of people speaking up for what they believe.
- Our goal should be making it safer—not more dangerous—for people to speak up.
To help show what’s at stake in this moment, frame actions to shut down protests as attempts to take power away from the people:
- In a democracy, the people have the power to decide what happens to us. We need to reclaim that power and reject attempts to silence our voices.
- The only way to make sure that we rule ourselves is by saying “no” when people try to take power away from us.
- Sending military forces into these protests is an unnecessary provocation designed to take more power from the people.
For more on framing this moment, check out:
Clara Blustein Lindholm serves as the Director of Research Interpretation for the Culture Change Project at the FrameWorks Institute.
Protests As Democracy was originally published by FrameWorks and is republished with permission.
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Two coloured pencils one red and one blue drawing a reef knot on a white paper background.
Getty Images, David Malan
Similarity Hub Shows >700 Instances of Cross-Partisan Common Ground
Jul 07, 2025
It is a common refrain to say that Americans need to find common ground across the political spectrum.
Over the past year, AllSides and More Like US found >700 instances of common ground on political topics, revealed in Similarity Hub. It highlights public opinion data from Gallup, Pew Research, YouGov, and many other reputable polling firms.
Similarity Hub reveals perspective overlaps between Democrats and Republicans and points of agreement on political issues among supermajorities of Americans. It is organized into more than 20 issue areas, including hot-button topics such as abortion, immigration, elections, and media bias. Over the past year, there have been over 13,000 views of Similarity Hub.
Similarity Hub is a collaboration between AllSides, a provider of balanced news and 2,400 media bias ratings, and More Like US, a nonprofit that increases trust across the U.S. political spectrum. The tool shows Americans are actually more similar to each other across the political spectrum than is often believed, revealing opportunities for political progress.
Everyday Americans and those in many professions find value in Similarity Hub, including journalists, educators, those in the arts, and leaders in civics, politics, and religious communities.
“Politicians and news media on both sides mislead us into thinking that there is no common
ground and that the other side is radically different from us,” said John Gable, co-founder and
CEO of AllSides Technologies, Inc. “That is just wrong. By showcasing how much we agree,
AllSides and More Like US combat misinformation and false belief, and give us all the ability to
better understand reality and come together to solve problems.”
Gable and others hope that Similarity Hub will help close the “Perception Gap” among Americans.
The term “Perception Gap” was coined from a More in Common study that found both Democrats and Republicans, to roughly similar degrees, think those in the other party are more politically extreme than they really are. The Perception Gap is dangerous because it can feed into an idea that “our side” must “win at all costs,” even leading to actions that put the country’s system of government and/or safety at risk.
Correcting the Perception Gap has been found to be effective — it accounted for the majority of the best-performing interventions that reduced anti-democratic attitudes, partisan animosity, and support for political violence in the Strengthening Democracy Challenge, led by Stanford University.
Common ground is everywhere, across all hot-button topics. In terms of foreign policy, a YouGov poll from this February found majorities of Democrats and Republicans agreed with the arguably more liberal position that “the U.S. government should provide aid to foreign countries for disaster response." Yet a Pew Research poll from last year also found that majorities in each party agreed with the potentially more conservative position that "taking measures to protect the U.S. from terrorist attacks should be a top priority in U.S. long-range foreign policy."
Researchers and experts focused on reducing political divides have issued praise for Similarity Hub, including:
- James Druckman, co-principal investigator of the Strengthening Democracy Challenge and professor of political science at the University of Rochester, who calls Similarity Hub “a vital resource.”
- Cheryl Graeve, national organizer and program director at the National Institute for Civil Discourse, who says, “I'm hopeful it will help us narrow these Perception Gaps.”
- Dannagal G. Young, professor of communication and political science and international relations and director of the Center for Political Communication at the University of Delaware, who states, “My hope is this resource might facilitate the kind of journalism that diffuses, rather than reinforces, partisan identity and partisan divides."
Academics and various organizations plan to test the impact of using Similarity Hub data for various use cases. Professor Myiah Hutchens at the University of Florida is testing the impacts of integrating Similarity Hub data into sample newspaper articles. Partners such as Trusting News are planning to make journalists aware of Similarity Hub and how easy it is to use. This effort aims to give Americans more accurate views of each other that include overlaps when consuming news, rather than a distorted sense of endless division.
Republicans and Democrats have a surprising amount of common ground, and Similarity Hub is allowing the American public to see exactly how much.
Andrew Weinzierl is Research Manager & Data Journalist for AllSides.
James Coan is the co-founder and executive director of More Like US. Coan can be contacted at James@morelikeus.org
Correction: A previous version of this story stated that AllSides and More Like US found 550 instances of common ground on political topics when both organizations have now found >700 instances.
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The Engaged Athlete Fellows had the opportunity to spend time meeting with Sen. Wyden in the U.S. Senate Finance Committee meeting room.
Kristina Becvar
Playing With Purpose: A New Era of Civic Athlete Leadership
Jul 07, 2025
Across the nation, a new wave of civic-minded student-athletes stepped forward this past year through the 2024-25 Engaged Athlete Fellowship, using their athletic platforms to spark meaningful civic change. Now entering its third year, this fellowship is a cornerstone program of The Team, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to integrating civic engagement into college athletics. Guided by their mission to “develop teammates, inspire leaders, empower citizens,” The Team equips student-athletes with the tools and support necessary to transform that vision into action. The Team operates as a fiscally sponsored project of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund, which also serves as the parent organization of The Fulcrum.
From August 2024 through June 2025, a diverse cohort of student-athletes from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), major universities like Harvard, Duke, and Vanderbilt, and smaller colleges from across the country participated in intensive leadership training. Representing 16 states and 15 athletic conferences, these fellows received personalized coaching, professional mentorship, leadership curriculum, and stipends supporting their community-focused projects.
Their fellowship experience culminated in a multi-day summit from June 25-28 in Washington, D.C.. The summit began with a workshop at Emily's List, followed by a guided evening monument tour, including visits to the MLK, Lincoln, and Vietnam Memorials. The athletes engaged in meaningful dialogues on Capitol Hill with Senator Ron Wyden and staff members from Senator Cory Booker's office. Additionally, a lunch and panel hosted by Comcast/NBCUniversal provided professional insights into media and civic engagement. Fellows also participated in an intensive professional development session, connecting directly with industry leaders in sports, policy, media, and civic leadership.
The central event of their trip, a June 27 forum hosted by BGR Group, featured fellows presenting their projects alongside discussions with prominent civic and sports-sector leaders. This forum highlighted pressing themes such as navigating pressures in athletics, innovating for community impact, breaking barriers in leadership, and empowering athletes as civic catalysts.
Stanley Borden of Duke University presents his project at the Engaged Athlete Forum.Kristina Becvar
Community engagement emerged as a major theme among this year’s projects, particularly through free sports clinics and mentorship programs. Several athletes hosted free sports clinics, inspiring local youth by teaching teamwork, resilience, and essential life skills through structured athletic experiences. Other fellows implemented mentorship programs pairing college athletes with K-12 students to encourage academic success and civic responsibility. Cam Mannion from Stonehill College executed a community field day geared towards supporting children diagnosed with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
Civic education and voter participation were also featured prominently, with athletes leveraging their influence to boost civic involvement. Harvard’s Xavier Nesbitt and Georgetown’s Abbie Huey led interactive voter education initiatives, empowering younger generations by highlighting civic responsibilities and community engagement. Duke’s Stanley Borden facilitated symposiums of small groups from Duke’s community to hold conversations regarding controversial topics, facilitating civil discourse and holding space for different opinions.
Several fellows targeted immediate community needs through resource drives and local events. Howard University basketball teammates Cameron Shockley-Okeke and Mounir Hima organized athletic gear drives, collecting donations for communities in Niger. Sydney Humes from Florida A&M University raised awareness about domestic violence, organizing educational panels alongside food drives to support local shelters directly.
Mental health was another significant area of focus, reflecting a broader awareness among athletes about emotional wellness. Chris Clarke from Clark University held a regular mental health discussion group casually over smoothies to encourage vulnerability and openness about mental health struggles for students. Helena Eubanks from Virginia State University initiated a project emphasizing open dialogue around mental health among student-athletes and their communities, with a focus on supporting student-athletes and their path toward forging identities outside of their sports.
Collectively, these engaged athlete fellows have demonstrated the transformative potential of sports when paired with committed civic action. Their efforts are strengthening communities, bridging divides, and empowering future generations to continue this essential spirit of civic responsibility. In the coming months, The Fulcrum will continue to share the inspiring stories of these Engaged Athlete Fellows through in-depth interviews and profiles, offering readers a closer look at the remarkable individuals behind these impactful initiatives.
Kristina Becvar is co-publisher of The Fulcrum and executive director of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund.
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Royal Moroccan Armed Forces service members and U.S. Army Soldiers hold an African Lion banner during a Moroccan F-16 flyover at the closing day of African Lion 2025 (AL25) at Tantan, Morocco, May 23, 2025.
By Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Mallett/U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa
U.S. Refines Military Strategy in Africa As Development Programs Face Cuts
Jul 07, 2025
WASHINGTON – Both the Trump administration and its critics agree the U.S. risks losing influence in Africa to rivals like China and Russia. But while the administration argues its commercially driven foreign policy will reverse the trend, critics warn that retreating from development and diplomacy could deepen the problem.
Under the Trump administration, the U.S. plans to consolidate embassies, scale back USAID operations, and pivot towards a security and commercial driven approach on the continent. While U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) defense officials insist their core missions within Africa will remain intact, civilian experts and lawmakers argue that abandoning diplomatic and development tools opens the door for strategic competitors to fill the void and fails to take into account what would best benefit African countries.
AFRICOM is one of 11 Department of Defense combatant commands responsible for operations and relationships with African countries, not including Egypt. AFRICOM operates in Stuttgart, Germany, with missions focused on counterterrorism, regional security, and U.S. interests.
“The Trump Administration’s approach to Africa isn’t America first, it is America in retreat. From gutting USAID to proposing a budget that dismantles key diplomatic tools to weakening AFRICOM,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy. “The Administration is reversing years of progress and investment in countries across Africa, while leaving a void that our adversaries are all too happy to fill.”
Troy Fitrell, senior bureau official of the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs and former ambassador to the Republic of Guinea, defended the Trump administration’s Africa policy earlier this month at a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee hearing.
The Trump administration is "fundamentally shifting our approach to Africa to a strategy that prioritizes robust commercial engagement," adding that the U.S. must recognize African nations "as equal partners in trade and investment," Fitrell said.
Fitrell said Trump’s new strategy is necessary to counter China and Russia, which have greatly expanded trade with Africa.
“The opportunity in Sub-Saharan Africa is not theoretical. It’s already being seized by our adversaries,” said Fitrell, who testified earlier this month at a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy hearing regarding China’s aggressive economic playbook.
Fitrell highlighted that while the U.S. trade with Africa has declined, China has used government-backed deals to dominate African markets, exporting over $137 billion to Sub-Saharan Africa last year, more than seven times what the U.S. exported.
Relying on China and Russia does not help Africa, he said.
“One African country after another has asked us to bring in big tech. Oracle, Microsoft, Google, but they won’t come because they can’t trust the Chinese-built digital infrastructure,” Fitrell said at the June 4th hearing, arguing that "if we want to have a modern digital economy, we need to rip out those systems and replace them.”
AFRICOM’S budget is part of the overall Department of Defense budget and is not publicly released as a separate line item, though in the Defense Fiscal Year 2024 bill, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an additional $400 million towards AFRICOM and SOUTHCOM (responsible for defense strategy in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean).
The Department of Defense’s AFRICOM declined requests for an on-the-record interview but responded by providing links to webpages. An official from AFRICOM spoke on behalf of the Department but only in background without being named because they are not supposed to speak with the media.
The official said there had been no shift in African policy at the Defense Department. They are pursuing the same missions within AFRICOM but making them more “refined.”
According to the official, these refinements have been happening for the last three years, given the increasing importance on the continent, but now AFRICOM leaders are searching for ways to make processes more “efficient.”
To determine if a mission is “efficient,” the Defense Department assesses if there are direct U.S. interests prevalent. If not, missions could be discontinued. The official mentioned that the same assessment would be conducted for embassies when determining which should be shut down, and that consolidations would be happening in the future, but they would not say where.
Although the official works in AFRICOM, they said that although USAID has been terminated, USAID projects in Africa would continue through the State Department. This seemed to contradict a statement President Donald Trump made in April, saying he would draft an order to shut down the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs.
As of publication, the State Department did not respond to emailed requests for comment.
Of the three USAID personnel contacted for this story, two responded, stating they were not permitted to comment on agency matters until July 1, when they no longer work for the government. They were on administrative leave per the Trump administration’s orders.
Multiple current and former Peace Corps volunteers in Africa were contacted for this story to understand their projects and presence, given cuts to funding, but they expressed hesitancy to speak on the subject for similar reasons.
Some experts in U.S. aid to Africa said U.S. assistance had already been focused on helping U.S. companies and had largely failed to successfully reach communities in need.
“What Africa needs is a serious industrial revolution. And that is not where the money is going,” said Yaw Kissi, a Ghanaian consultant working on Africa’s development.
He said U.S. assistance primarily benefits U.S. companies and does not build a strong foundational infrastructure, which is what African countries need to commercially develop on their own.
“How can you say you want to help me, but through your help, you are only serving a certain interest, and you are not really looking at what I need? That is not help,” Kissi added.
Kissi also criticized AFRICOM’s presence on the continent as misaligned with African priorities, stating, “We don’t need a military base.”
The defense official said that the U.S. will be increasing its focus on Africa because U.S. adversaries, Chinese and Russian, have growing investments on the African continent.
While defense officials emphasized efficiency and refinement in military engagement, development experts and some lawmakers argued that sustained diplomatic and humanitarian investments are equally vital.
“The U.S. has had, and should maintain, a key role in promoting peace and security, upholding human rights, creating pathways for inclusive economic growth, strengthening democratic institutions, and building invaluable people-to-people ties,” Van Hollen continued.
Critics warned that drawing down civilian-led programs in favor of security-heavy strategies could destabilize long-term partnerships and undermine broader U.S. interests on the continent.
“These investments not only support our values, they also help maintain regional stability, improve our national security, open markets for American businesses, and foster long-term partnerships rooted in mutual respect,” Van Hollen added. “I am working in Congress to continue to advance these shared priorities with African nations despite this Administration’s actions.”
AFRICOM’s goal moving forward is to no longer be the “crutch” for African countries, allowing the countries to lead their own security efforts and not rely solely on the U.S.
While defense officials emphasized efficiency and refinement in military engagement, development experts and some lawmakers argue that sustained diplomatic and humanitarian investments are equally vital.
"For too long, the United States has prioritized development assistance over commercial engagement,” Fitrell said. “Trade over aid is now truly America’s policy for Africa."
Bridget Erin Craig is a graduate student at Northwestern Medill in the Politics, Policy and Foreign Affairs specialization. She graduated with a B.A. from the University of Miami in Political Science, Criminology and Sustainable Development.
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