RDI's 2024 Heroes of Democracy Gala
Thursday, April 4th in New York City
I serve on the board of the Renew Democracy Initiative, an organization doing important work confronting authoritarians at home and abroad by elevating the voices of dissidents and others who have put everything on the line for freedom. On Thursday, April 4, RDI is hosting its second annual Heroes of Democracy Gala in New York City. We’ll be celebrating remarkable individuals who have fought for freedom at home around the globe, often at great personal risk—both a distinction and a burden I know well.
This year, our honorees include Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who has unwaveringly stood up to autocrats; Georgia poll workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, who did their duty in 2020 despite unprecedented personal attacks from election deniers; Representative Adam Kinzinger, who has been a stalwart advocate for freedom and democracy on and off the Hill; and Senator John Fetterman, who has unflinchingly defended America's democratic allies in Ukraine and Israel.
My wife Rachel and I are proud to be on the gala Host Committee, joined by Generals Stanley McChrystal and Ben Hodges, NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, former Homeland Security Department Chief of Staff and New York Times “Anonymous” Miles Taylor, Garry Kasparov, Kevin Toner, Marc Rotenberg, Pavel Khodorkovsky, and Greg Wilson.
We hope you will join us for what is sure to be a special evening celebrating those that have fiercely fought for freedom from our backyard here at home to the very literal frontlines of freedom in Ukraine and elsewhere in the world.
I personally recommend RDI’s Democracy Defenders package, which includes two tickets to the Gala and two tickets to the VIP Chairman’s Cocktail Hour hosted by Garry Kasparov. Rachel and I will be there, along with the awardees and RDI’s Board.
You can learn more about the event and purchase tickets online here. Please contact RDI’s Director of Stewardship Caitlin Forrest with any questions at giving@rdi.org.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas
The Russian government put her on a wanted list, but the prime minister of the tiny nation of Estonia stands tall in the face of tyrants and demonstrates why her country is a cornerstone of the democratic alliance.
Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss
There’s no democracy without the right to vote, and there’s no right to vote without poll workers. Since 2020, this mother-daughter duo has faced vicious attacks for performing that essential public service.
Representative Adam Kinzinger
Representative Adam Kinzinger put patriotism over party when he led the way in investigating the January 6 insurrection. A stalwart advocate for freedom and democracy, Rep. Kinzinger has also championed American leadership and assistance to Ukraine on and off of Capitol Hill.
Senator John Fetterman
A leader who recognizes America is stronger when we stand with our democratic allies, Senator John Fetterman is a vocal advocate for aid to Ukraine and Israel. That stance has earned him some loud critics—but the senator isn’t backing down.
RDI Mission, Vision, & Pillars
Vision: A world where the forces of freedom are united and authoritarianism is in retreat.
Mission: The Renew Democracy Initiative is committed to unmasking and confronting the alliance of dictators threatening freedom around the world. By doing so, we inspire those in the United States and in other free countries to value and protect their own democracies.
Pillars:
Educate: We leverage the voices of unique messengers to organize events and create written and video content that highlights the threats facing liberal democracy while uniting disparate communities around common principles.
Advocate: We aim to shift opinion and behavior among targeted groups of thought leaders, decision-makers, and other key constituencies on issues critical to RDI’s mission.
Act: When we can add unique value, we offer direct support to those whose freedom is threatened by authoritarianism.
Build Community: Both virtually and in-person, we build communities of thought leaders, students, dissidents, and others who believe in and are committed to the values of liberal democracy.
Why It Matters/Alex: I’m taking you at your opening offer—'ask me anything’ on Why It Matters, but am unable to get msg to you otherwise.
I’m writing as a ‘Nam’ vet because we were fighting a guerilla war in SEA with little experience or training for such. I don’t want to see that again anywhere, much less in US cities and communities. The MAGA goons throughout our society are even less identifiable than the pajama-clad North Vietnamese and appear to be everywhere.
Trump has left little to the imagination about what a second Trump presidency would mean. The MAGA 2025 game plan is complete and published by the same Heritage Foundation that has put forward candidates for SCOTUS nominees to GOP presidents for decades! The plan builds upon the ‘Christian nationalist’ movement that has spread like an unseen plague. And just this weekend, Trump promised (called for) a national bloodbath if he isn’t re-elected.
My question of you is about how the exhausted, shaken democracy responds to the thugs and morons who are eager to take up arms against democracy if/when Trump looses? I believe that there are enough crazies around the country eager to rebel violently to cause great harm to individuals, institutions, markets, political venues, and social minorities that the US government will have to act broadly, even if well prepared. And are they?
What options do you see for our government to control such rebellion? What does it take for the National Guard or U.S. Army to be activated against citizen insurrectionists? Can state guards be called out? Can red state governors refuse to support the administration? Do we have any indication of loyalties among our uniformed troops, many of which are young, confused, impressionable enlistees, many with access to serious weapons?
I’m not easily frightened, but this potential is terrifying for my beloved United States, family and friends. Where do we ‘good guys/gals’ stand against such a thread? Thanks for your thoughtful reply and your posts on Substack. Cliff/SWFL
You have no idea how much I would love to attend and shake these peoples’ hands. You’ll have to do it for us Alex and tell them about the legions of supporters that they (and you) have.