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John,
We kicked off our 20th annual conference yesterday with a packed day of learning, connections and inspiration. Attendees dug into sessions on defending immigrant rights, fighting back against billionaires and the Trump administration, the 14th amendment, AI warfare, economic policy and more.
From the streets to the courtroom to the halls of Congress, our opening keynote speakers shared how they are rejecting authoritarianism, defending communities under attack and ensuring that our democracy remains intact. Here are a few quotes from the evening:
- “How do we call this a democracy when dignity has to hustle just to stay alive?” –Rev. Ryan Brown
- “Let’s win elections, yes — but let’s win back the soul of our country while we’re at it.” –Louisiana Sen. Royce Duplessis
- “It can’t just be that we have a good vision and good values and ideology. It’s about damned time for a plan.” –Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson
- “State courts can be the last line of defense, but only if state courts are willing to serve as a check and balance against extremism in the other branches.” –Justice Allison Riggs
- “The opposite of war isn’t its absence. It’s the transformation and creation of something new. We are creation people, Netroots Nation, and we are part of a creation movement building forward.” –Rep. Delia Ramirez
You can watch the full keynote, plus see photos from Day 1 of Netroots Nation here.
WHAT'S ON TAP FOR FRIDAY
If you're following from home, we'll be streaming today's keynotes via Facebook Live (so all can watch) and through our conference app (closed captioning provided):
Midday Keynote, 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CT
Trump’s authoritarian regime will not be around forever. Now is the time to reimagine our systems and break away from the status quo that only works for the ruling oligarchs and the privileged few. Hear from leaders who are playing both defense AND offense as we organize for the world we want to build.
With Rep. Lateefah Simon, Beto O'Rourke, Brian Beutler, April Verrett, David Huerta, Everett Kelley, Rep. Mandie Landry and Regina Wallace-Jones.
Evening Keynote, 4:30-6 p.m. ET
Preemptive Alliances: Attorneys General In Defense of Democracy
From images of the militarization of Los Angeles to the weaponization of federal power to pressure corporations, schools, universities and individuals to comply with repressive and exclusionary policies, a climate of fear has been created that threatens the foundations of American democracy. As the law is being used to enforce this oppressive paradigm, it is important that there is a coordinated plan to resist these assaults on our rights and communities. This keynote panel will bring together progressive AGs to outline how they are using their positions to resist capitulation and defend our aspirations for a multiracial democracy.
Moderated by Kimberlé Crenshaw in conversation with Rob Bonta, Keith Ellison and Matthew Platkin. Opening remarks by Vince Warren, Rep. Justin Pearson, Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Matt Willard.
If you've got a virtual or in-person ticket, you'll also have access to the following sessions through our conference app.
Streamed Panels at 10 a.m. CT
- Care Policies to Counter Fascism: A Political Path to Victory
- Lessons in How Refusal, Resistance and Ridicule Can Bring Down Autocracy
- Beyond Review: How State Courts Can Stop the Erosion of our Rights
Virtual Sessions at 1 p.m. CT
- How Zohran Mamdani for Mayor Won The Internet and the Heart of NYC
- Migrating Platforms: Building Your Digital Go Bag
Streamed Panels at 2 p.m. CT
- From La. to L.A.: Rebuilding with Resilience as an Act of Resistance
- How to Organize in an Authoritarian State
- Win in '26: Building Your Local Campaign Playbook
Streamed Panels at 3:15 p.m. ET
- Nonprofits Under Attack: Protecting Our Role in Protecting Democracy
- Reproductive Justice is the Future: Organizing to Win and Build Power
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The Future of Movement is Disability Justice
We’ll be updating our Facebook and Instagram accounts throughout the weekend with video clips, highlights, photos and more, so check back often. You can also follow the action on Bluesky. Just search the #NN25 hashtag.
SPONSOR HIGHLIGHTS
 The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) unites 2 million diverse members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. SEIU members working in the healthcare industry, in the public sector and in property services believe in the power of joining together on the job to win higher wages and benefits and to create better communities while fighting for a more just society and an economy that works for all of us, not just corporations and the wealthy. Catch SEIU President April Verrett at our midday keynote at 11:15 a.m. today!
 At Vera Action, we fight to end mass incarceration, protect immigrants’ rights, and build safe and thriving communities. Alongside organizers and advocates, government leaders, and elected officials across the political aisle, we work to enact transformative policy change for safety and justice at the local, state, and federal levels.
 American Pride Rises (APR) is an initiative committed to protecting pathways to the American Dream by fighting for a more diverse, equitable and inclusive America for all. We work to protect more than 200 years of progress that our nation has made through historic movements that have opened the doors of opportunity for generations of Americans from all backgrounds. Our impact is delivered by collaborating with other organizations to engage communities, educate advocates, and equip allies to respond to legislative and legal attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Find them at Booth 207!
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