Josh Lerner

I'm shaking almost too hard to type. I entered SLC airport and heard screams and cries for help. I could see people gathered around, watching. I sped over to discover this woman face down on the floor, four grown men pushing her down, while she cried "HELP ME" and pled for her child.

Why don’t Democrats create visual imagery to change the #shutdown story? For example:
1️⃣ Set up a negotiation room with chairs for the key players.
2️⃣ Show up every day.
3️⃣ Take pictures and video, of Democrats literally at the negotiation table, and Republicans absent.
4️⃣ Share & repeat. Be creative!

Affordable Housing Left Vulnerable After Trump Fires Building Inspectors The US Department of Housing and Urban Development cut its inspection team two weeks after a public housing building partially collapsed in the Bronx.

This isn’t government efficiency. It’s putting people’s lives at risk, by cutting the essential government services that they rely on.

Three Emerging Strategies for Renewing Democracy - Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly As democratic practices decay in the United States and elsewhere, the tendency is to defend existing institutions. But building new paths is just as important.

As democratic practices decay in the United States and elsewhere, the tendency is to defend existing institutions. But building new paths is just as important. Read more from @joshalerner.bsky.social nonprofitquarterly.org/three-emergi...

Three Emerging Strategies for Renewing Democracy - Non Profit News | Nonprofit Quarterly As democratic practices decay in the United States and elsewhere, the tendency is to defend existing institutions. But building new paths is just as important.

New Article Alert: Looking for better ways to defend/protect/promote/renew/expand democracy? In @npquarterly.bsky.social I lift up three of the most promising strategies for renewing democracy from around the world. Try them out!
nonprofitquarterly.org/three-emergi...

The real highlight of #TheLifeofaShowgirl is how it reminded me to listen to #BRAT again. 🙏🏼

Another violent attack by an ICE officer on a civilian at 26 Federal Plaza—this time on a journalist, who had to be carried out on stretcher.

Another attack on the First Amendment, our neighbors, and our democracy.

I was back at 26 Federal Plaza today, where an ICE agent violently threw this bereft woman to the ground in front of her kids. She had not touched him. She did not pose any threat. She had to be taken to the hospital. (🎥: Elias Eliahu)

From a 2 million-strong online petition in France to new insights on Euroscepticism, crowdlaw and disinformation, there's plenty happening in democratic innovation.

Learn more in the latest Nets4Dem newsletter 👇
bit.ly/47M5eZM

ESSAY: A turning point On Charlie Kirk, civic contempt, and the endangered idea at democracy's heart

“Democracy is, in the beginning and in the end, a belief that we can live together despite difference and choose the future together.” @anandwrites.bsky.social
🙏🏼
open.substack.com/pub/anandwri...

[Deadline extended] Apply Now: 3 ways to strengthen your participatory program — People Powered Two new accelerators and one mentorship program to help you engage community members in participatory decision-making, boost the participation of traditionally marginalized groups, and mainstream high...

Deadline extended to July 6!

Apply to the People Powered’s Accelerators & Mentorships for support, resources, and training in participatory democracy and citizenship engagement.

Details: www.peoplepowered.org/news-content...

#Democracy #PeoplePowered

I'm laughing my ASS off at the Cuomo commercials telling us he's ready on DAY ONE to make housing affordable in NYC because he is experienced, LMAO!!!! Yes he's experienced at being bought by big real estate & at insuring that you won't be able to afford to live in the city if you're working class.

This is an illegal war of aggression. There is no direct threat, no provocation, no need, and no Congressional approval. The only people this serves are the autocrats trying to cling to power.

#NoKings in Kings County, or anywhere in the US!

What Urban Planners and Designers Can Learn From Political Organizers Op-ed: Urban planners and designers still have a chance to create transformative public projects – if we can learn the politics of making projects happen.

Yes! When urban planners learn from organizers they get more done.
@nextcity.org
nextcity.org/urbanist-new...

We want YOU to vote for NYC's most iconic bagel! | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News The democratic primary for New York City mayor is June 24th. This will be the city's second citywide ranked-choice-voting election. If you’re still having trouble understanding exactl...

Like for the mayoral election, I can’t believe some of these options made it to the ranked choice bagel ballot! Come on NYC, we can do better. #TeamEverything
www.wnyc.org/bagelvote

Our Impact — People Powered Learn how we solve global challenges by supporting participatory democracy around the world

Globally, communities are facing urgent challenges, and participatory democracy is delivering solutions.

So far, we've helped launch or improve 85 participatory programs, supported 1,100 democracy champions + more!

See how we’re building a more inclusive future: www.peoplepowered.org/our-impact

Join me at the @epd.eu annual conference in Brussels, to reboot democracy!

Grow with the People Powered community: Join us as a member! — People Powered An awesome network of peers? Check. Expert fundraising support? Double-check. See the rest inside!

You don't have to push for democracy alone.

Join 200+ global members for learning, funding, and real impact. 🌍 New members this month could win a global feature, and contributions are matched 4-to-1.

Apply now: www.peoplepowered.org/news-content...

#PeoplePowered #ParticipatoryDemocracy

Some fun news: I’m thrilled to join the Board of Directors of Thrive Philanthropy, a global grantmaker that accelerates just, sustainable, plant-based food systems around the world. Check them out, and let me know if you’re interested in learning more! www.thrivephilanthropy.org

White House officials wanted to put federal workers ‘in trauma.’ It’s working. Federal workers describe struggling with panic attacks, depression, suicidal thoughts. “Why doesn’t anyone care?”

I’m so thankful to Michael Cross-Barnet for shared Caitlin’s powerful story in this Washington Post article. The trauma is cruel. Sharing it is resistance, and humanity.

You can read it here, not behind a paywall:
www.spokesman.com/stories/2025...

Flying back to the US from Europe. Emptiest flight I’ve been on. I imagine like trains into Germany back in 1934.

Call for Applications: 3 ways to strengthen your participatory program — People Powered Two new accelerators and one mentorship program to help you engage community members in participatory decision-making, boost the participation of traditionally marginalized groups, and mainstream high...

Opportunity alert: Apply now for the Accelerators and Rising Stars Mentorships to grow your participatory democracy project.

Deadline: July 1, 2025
Includes training, mentorship, and funding.
With @nets4dem.eu and global partners.

Apply here: www.peoplepowered.org/news-content...

Q&A on democracy in Germany: How can local community participation help prevent the rise of far right parties like AfD? By bringing people together to share grievances, feel heard, and understand those who are different. @peoplepowered.org

This is a must read report for anyone working on democracy, participation, and deliberation. It’s the rare report that shows you how you’ve been doing your work wrong, and offers practical guidance on how to do it better. Take a look!👇🏼

Read this piece from two of our world's best thinkers on democracy. It offers a practical but revolutionary idea for the United States.

What if #CitizensAssemblies were a core part of government?
We make the case for a House of the People — a permanent, randomly selected 4th branch. Democracy needs more voices.

By @joshalerner.bsky.social & Marjan Ehsassi

🔗 www.peoplepowered.org/news-content...

About Participatory Democracy — People Powered Participatory democracy enables community members to make the policy decisions that affect their lives, together with government.

www.peoplepowered.org/about/partic...

It’s time for a fourth branch of government - The Boston Globe When politicians fail to solve thorny policy issues, they should put the question to a House of the People.

📰 It's time for a fourth branch of government.
In @bostonglobe.com today, Marjan Ehsassi & I call for creating a randomly selected House of the People. Our institutions of democracy are failing. We need to try a new approach. Read how it could work and why this is feasible and strategic even now.