We started talking about what happens when autocrats come to power—and I shared something that went viral last week: a 10-step playbook that lays out how democracies die, piece by piece.
 

Stacey Abrams' Speak Up PAC

“When we actually believe in ourselves and our people, when we believe in democracy as something that must deliver, that’s when we star to fight back and that’s when they lose. Because they win when we are too numb or too afraid to fight back.”

John, did you catch me on Jimmy Kimmel Live?

We discussed what happens when autocrats come to power—and I shared something that went viral last week: a 10-step playbook that lays out how democracies die, piece by piece.

Step 1: You have a free and fair election—but it’s the last one.

Step 2: They exceed the bounds of executive power.

Step 3: They weaken the Legislative and Judicial branches.

Step 4: They gut the government. Break public trust until democracy no longer feels worth defending.

Step 5: They install loyalists everywhere. People who will follow orders, not the law.

Step 6: They go after the free press.

Step 7: They pick scapegoats and weaponize DEI because it protects us. Because if we’re fighting each other, we’re not fighting for democracy.

Step 8: They target civil society that exists to defend our rights. Undermine the very people doing the work to hold the line.

Step 9: They incentivize private violence. Make people afraid to speak up. Make civic participation feel dangerous. Make silence feel safer than truth.

🚨John - we are here, at step 9. ^

Step 10: And then—it’s over. Step 10 is the endgame. You make sure no one ever votes again. Because now, people are scared. They’re poor. They’re exhausted. And the autocrat has all the power.

This isn’t just political theory. It’s a warning sign flashing in real time.

We don’t stop this by pretending it’s not happening. We stop it by organizing. By voting. By speaking up, even when it’s hard.

Autocracy is not inevitable. But neither is democracy.

It’s a choice.

And it’s time we choose it—loudly, clearly, and together.

Speak Up PAC is committed to supporting the organizations and candidates who are holding the line and fighting for democracy. Will you chip in today to help us support these democracy defenders?

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Thank you for speaking up,
Stacey