Democracy Writes!
Creative Resistance in Action
at Prime Produce Guild Hall in New York City
November 22, 2025
Outside: a beautiful New York City autumn day. Inside: a diverse group gathered for an afternoon of creative activism. Together we embraced free expression as part of Fall of Freedom, a national movement spearheaded by artists to defy authoritarianism and champion freedom.
Democracy Writes! included a writing workshop, open mic, dramatic readings, a participatory arts exhibition and a banned books table. Our writing prompt, excerpts from “A House Called Tomorrow “ by Alberto Rios, offered inspiration as we wrote together and then shared our words.
Democracy Writes! drew a group of individuals – from millennials to seniors – who in just a couple of hours became a mutually supportive creative community, united by shared values and a common purpose.
Here is a small sampling of the work from our afternoon of literary rabble-rousing.
Taking Action
by Austin Alexis
The constitution is disappearing.
There it goes, out the window.
down the boulevard.
There it flies
up the chimney,
over the hills.
Our goof-ball leaders have shredded it.
They’ve left it to the wind
and have neglected to replace it.
Make history by retrieving it,
by saving it from gutter water,
by taping its fragmented pages
together again.
The constitution is historical
as long as it exists in some form—
damaged but still valued,
damaged but still breathing.
Untitled
by Michele D’Aulerio
The feminists of the ‘50s and ‘60s made my house so that today I could live freely, own my own body, have agency and financial independence. They created that house, laid the foundation and fought to build the frame, the walls, the roof, without knowing if they themselves would ever benefit from that hard work. I grew up in a mostly safe house because of their courage and bold actions. They didn’t let criticism and ridicule and often threats to their safety stop them. The house they created made my life so comfortable, I didn’t know it could be taken away. It felt so effortless, I didn’t understand the maintenance that would be required to keep it. I couldn’t foresee the demolition that would occur leaving me with nothing to pass on to my nieces. I wasn’t prepared to fight, to redo all the work the women before me did. The roof has blown off. The walls are falling down, the frame crumbling and the foundation eroding.
What do I tell my nieces?
How do I explain why they have less autonomy over their own bodies today than I did thirty years ago? I feel unprepared. I don’t know how to build a house. I know rage instead of architecture. I’m mad instead of strategic. How do I transform my outrage and disgust to strategy and organization?
What is my first step? To vote and vote well. Yes. Ok, but that feels like passing the buck, electing someone else to do the work, delegating. So, what’s left? What do I have to offer? Deep breath. Step back. Slow down. Assess.
Use your words.
Heed the Call
by Amy Grech
Our Nation is
best served by
quiet contemplation.
Thunderous applause
is cause
for jubilant celebration.
Free flowing collaboration.
A wellspring of ideas.
None too big or too small.
There’s room for one-and-all.
Is That How You Really Feel?
by Velina Velikova
Are you saying something to me right now?
I thought I heard you speaking, but maybe I just felt you…
feeling.
Hey! I saw you repost that video.
Do you think we should go?
It looks like tens of thousands of people will show up!
Hmm…
You’re right.
There’s probably more than enough people going already.
You know, we could go to that holiday food drive this weekend.
It looks like they raised a ton of money to buy groceries for people affected by the SNAP pause.
Oh, you’re right.
They got their benefits back!
That’s good.
They’re probably fine.
Hey. What’s on your mind?
I’ve been feeling a lot lately.
I wonder if you have been, too.
I think we should go.
Even if thousands are already going,
I believe you and I can have an impact.
Food accessibility is a human right.
Let’s go and see how we can help.
We’re feeling the same things.
Share with me your real words.
Yuko Kudo – an interactive art table
Yuko’s prompt:
What “words” unleash amplify empower your Freedom today
Singing
Dancing
Smile
Bodily autonomy
Love is the answer
Joy is the future
Art Matters More Than Ever
Democracy Writes! was organized by Rhonda Zangwill, writer and workshop leader, Cindy Cooper, playwright and reproductive rights activist, Yuko Kudo, visual artist and Chaski (Saskia Knowles), an organizer of the Cybernetics Library. Guest performers: Shawn Fischer, Abigail Ramsay.
Photos: Peggy Ryan @peggyryandesigns
reprofreedomarts.org 