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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251211T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251211T200000
DTSTAMP:20260406T121426
CREATED:20251207T235723Z
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UID:60951-1765479600-1765483200@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:2026 Midterms: The Game Plan
DESCRIPTION:BigTentUSA wrapped up its final virtual event of the year with an energizing conversation featuring Gretchen Barton of Worthy Strategy Group and Michael Frias of Catalist. They broke down what the 2025 results and new exit polling are telling us about the road ahead and shared the key shifts that will shape the fight to win back Congress in 2026. \nThe speakers reminded everyone that real progress happens when Democrats connect with swing voters by listening\, finding shared values\, and showing there’s room for them in the bigger pro-democracy community—rather than pushing them away. \nThey also dug into what the 2025 electorate revealed about persuasion and turnout\, how different groups showed up\, and where the biggest opportunities lie next year. And they closed with practical advice on how people\, campaigns\, and organizations can step up now—including smart ways to direct political donations so they make the strongest possible impact. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nGretchen Barton is the founder of Worthy Strategy Group\, a research and strategy firm shaping influential narratives in American public life. A leading researcher and strategist\, she has led national studies on poverty\, women and leadership\, the youth vote\, immigration\, gender in America\, global nuclear disarmament\, how Americans discern truth\, what they seek in their next president\, and what the Democratic and Republican brands signify. Over the past three years\, she has spearheaded research and messaging in support of Ukraine and advocated for the return of Ukrainian children captured by Russian forces. Her work has been used by the U.S. State Department\, global governments\, and NGOs. She has also worked extensively to identify programs and messaging that reduce antisemitism. Gretchen has conducted interviews with over 3\,000 Americans and designed polling reaching more than 200\,000. She heads the American Leadership Project and advises History Wars. A Cornell graduate\, she has authored multiple publications and research studies. \nMichael Frias is the Chief Executive Officer of Catalist\, the premier progressive data and analytics firm supporting campaigns\, advocacy groups\, and civic organizations nationwide. As Catalist’s first Latino CEO\, he has led the company through a period of innovation\, strengthening its role as a trusted source of rigorous and actionable insights into the American electorate. Michael brings over twenty years of experience at the intersection of politics\, government\, and national security. At the Department of Homeland Security\, he served as Deputy Chair of the Common Vetting Task Force\, where he led the creation of a big data environment to improve information sharing across DHS and the intelligence community\, earning the Secretary’s Award for Excellence from Secretary Jeh Johnson. His political experience includes serving as Chief of Staff to Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick\, holding senior roles in Governor Janet Napolitano’s administration\, and leading statewide and national campaigns. He advises several innovation- and equity-focused organizations.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/2026-midterms/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/169Recap_Gretchen-Barton_Michael-Frias.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260115T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260115T200000
DTSTAMP:20260406T121426
CREATED:20260106T233350Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260116T222828Z
UID:60988-1768503600-1768507200@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Winning for Democracy:  Utah’s Playbook for Red-State Bipartisan Coalitions
DESCRIPTION:On January 15\, leaders from across Utah’s civic and political landscape came together for a virtual discussion on how the state’s shifting population is influencing organizing and electoral strategy. Katie Wright\, Executive Director of the Utah Donor Collaborative\, Emma Petty Addams\, Co-Executive Director for Mormon Women for Ethical Government\, and Matt Lyon\, Utah Lead for the Rural West Project—joined by moderator Reed Galen\, Co-Founder of The Lincoln Project and President of The Union—shared firsthand perspectives on the collaborative work underway to build durable\, cross-partisan alliances across urban and rural communities. \nThroughout the conversation\, the speakers underscored the central role of fair political representation in strengthening democracy\, pointing to examples of Utahns finding common ground across ideological lines. They highlighted how shared values around accountability\, participation\, and representation have allowed unlikely partners to work together effectively. \nThe panel also challenged the assumption that meaningful pro-democracy progress is limited to traditionally blue states. Drawing on lessons from Utah\, they emphasized that red states should not be written off—arguing instead that sustained organizing\, inclusive coalitions\, and strategic engagement can and do create openings for democratic reforms\, even in places long considered politically out of reach. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nKatie Wright is a nonprofit leader focused on connecting human and financial capital to address challenges such as climate change and democracy reform. As Executive Director of the Utah Donor Collaborative\, she partners with donors and expert organizations to help transform Utah’s political landscape. From 2008 to 2021\, she led the Park City Community Foundation\, growing it into one of the nation’s fastest-growing community foundations while expanding grant-making and community investment. From 2021 to 2025\, she led Better Boundaries\, advancing fair maps and protecting Utahns’ constitutional rights to balanced ballot language and citizen-led reform. Katie is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Morocco\, 2005–2007) and holds an MPA from Rutgers University and a B.A. from Colorado College. \nEmma Petty Addams serves as co-executive director for Mormon Women for Ethical Government. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in piano performance at Stanford University\, she spent time in Boston and Silicon Valley working in contracts negotiation\, corporate transactions and capitalization\, and investor relations. In addition\, she has built and run large piano studios in California\, New Jersey\, and Omaha\, Nebraska. While seemingly unrelated\, these previous career opportunities were excellent preparation for the fast-paced yet methodical and collaborative nature of the work at MWEG. Every time an MWEG member writes an op-ed\, speaks out against injustice\, or expresses her opinion peacefully on social media\, Emma is grateful for the chance to help women contribute their part to the complex multi-voice symphony that is our democracy. Emma currently resides with her husband and three sons in Salt Lake City\, Utah. \nMatt Lyon is the founding and managing partner of Blueprint Public Affairs\, Finance Director for the Rural West Project\, and leads the Rural West Project’s program in Utah. A long time Utah political consultant and operative\, Matt was a founder of the Better Boundaries initiative\, the Utah Donor Collaborative\, Alliance for a Better Utah\, and other local and national redistricting efforts. He has run and worked on campaigns for the U.S. Senate\, U.S. Congress\, various state and mayoral efforts and a State Democratic Party. \nReed Galen is an independent political strategist\, co-founder of The Lincoln Project\, and currently serves as the President of The Union\, a nationwide coalition working to rebuild American democracy from the ground up. The Union brings together volunteers\, organizers\, and local leaders to support decent\, competent candidates at every level of government. Under Reed’s leadership\, The Union is building the infrastructure needed to show up in all 50 states and strengthen civic engagement nationwide.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/utah-2026/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Spotlight Speaker Series,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Recap_Utah2026-Priorities.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260120T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260120T200000
DTSTAMP:20260406T121426
CREATED:20260115T224017Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T224025Z
UID:61009-1768935600-1768939200@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Citizens Under Assault: Reporting Live From Minneapolis
DESCRIPTION:On January 20\, BigTentUSA hosted a discussion featuring public policy analyst and creator of the The Existentialist Republic newsletter Christopher Armitage\, and political strategist and co-founder of The Lincoln Project Reed Galen. The two examined recent developments in ICE enforcement\, including the fatal shooting in Minneapolis and the national reaction it sparked. The speakers explored the broader implications for federal immigration operations and public trust\, emphasizing that law enforcement — particularly federal agencies — must operate under strict guardrails and be held to higher standards of justice and accountability. They also underscored that lasting change depends on consistent engagement with government representatives\, noting that sustained public pressure matters because\, ultimately\, lawmakers are accountable to voters. \nThe event capped an hour of expert insight paired with practical suggestions for civic engagement at a time of heightened concern about democratic norms\, civil liberties\, and the rule of law. \n  \nAbout The Speakers: \nChristopher Armitage is a former law enforcement officer with a background in national security. He now works as a public policy analyst\, anti-authoritarian activist\, and journalist. His work has been cited by Mother Jones\, the Brookings Institute\, and Thom Hartman. \nReed Galen is an independent political strategist\, co-founder of The Lincoln Project\, and currently serves as the President of The Union\, a nationwide coalition working to rebuild American democracy from the ground up. The Union brings together volunteers\, organizers\, and local leaders to support decent\, competent candidates at every level of government. Under Reed’s leadership\, The Union is building the infrastructure needed to show up in all 50 states and strengthen civic engagement nationwide.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/citizens-under-assault/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Spotlight Speaker Series,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Recap_Christopher-Armitage_Reed-Galen.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260129T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260129T130000
DTSTAMP:20260406T121426
CREATED:20260120T212522Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260130T161652Z
UID:61017-1769688000-1769691600@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Oligarchs and Empire: Trump’s Global Power Play
DESCRIPTION:On January 29\, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian\, journalist\, and author of Autocracy\, Inc. Anne Applebaum and journalist\, lawyer\, and founder of the Popular Information newsletter Judd Legum joined moderator Charlie Sykes\, author of the To the Contrary newsletter and podcast\, for a timely discussion on how political power is being reshaped in the U.S. and globally—and what it means for democracy. \nThe conversation examined how democratic institutions are increasingly undermined through gradual\, legal changes that concentrate power\, weaken accountability\, and reward loyalty over principle. Speakers emphasized that the greatest danger lies not in any single leader\, but in systems that normalize corruption\, disinformation\, and politicized governance. \nUkraine emerged as a critical test of democratic resolve\, highlighting the global stakes of the moment. \nThe discussion concluded with a clear warning and reminder: democracy does not sustain itself—it survives only when citizens choose to defend it. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nAnne Applebaum is staff writer for The Atlantic and author of the best-selling 2020 book Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism and her latest book Autocracy\, Inc. Applebaum is also a senior fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and the SNF Agora Institute\, where she co-directs Arena\, a program on disinformation and 21st-century propaganda. \nJudd Legum is the founder and author of Popular Information\, an independent newsletter dedicated to accountability journalism. Popular Information won the 2020 Online Journalism Award for Excellence in Newsletters\, and the 2025 David Nyhan Prize for Public Policy Journalism. Its reporting was credited by Bloomberg for bringing a “political reckoning” to corporate America. Previously\, Legum founded and served as editor-in-chief of ThinkProgress\, a progressive media outlet. In 2008\, Legum was the research director for Hillary Clinton’s first presidential campaign. He is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and Pomona College. \nCharlie Sykes is the author of the Substack newsletter\, To the Contrary\, and contributes to The Atlantic and MSNBC. His most recent book\, How the Right Lost Its Mind\, published by St. Martin’s Press\, was released in October 2017. \nSykes has written for The New York Times\, The Atlantic\, The Weekly Standard\, The Washington Post\, Commentary\, The Wall Street Journal\, Politico\, The Los Angeles Times\, Newsweek\, Time.com\, USA Today\, National Review\, The New York Review of Books\, the New York Daily News\, and other national publications.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/trumps-global-power-play/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Spotlight Speaker Series,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Recap_Anne-Applebaum_Judd-Legum_Charlie-Sykes.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260209T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260209T130000
DTSTAMP:20260406T121426
CREATED:20260204T223446Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260210T220316Z
UID:61133-1770638400-1770642000@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:The FBI Went Down to Georgia: 2026 Elections Under Threat
DESCRIPTION:On Monday\, February 9\, BigTentUSA convened Lauren Groh-Wargo\, Founder and CEO of Fair Fight Action\, and Wendy Weiser\, VP for Democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice\, to sound the alarm on escalating threats to the 2026 election. From the unprecedented seizure of Fulton County voting records to pushes for proof-of-citizenship laws and federal overreach\, speakers warned of a coordinated effort to reshape election control and suppress participation. \nThe Constitution remains a guardrail\, and courts have begun pushing back against unlawful overreach—but institutional defenses alone won’t hold. Protecting democracy now demands mass civic engagement: vote\, become a poll worker\, track ballots\, organize locally\, support election officials\, and use every legal and advocacy tool available. The warning was stark but empowering—autocracy thrives on silence\, so the moment calls for visible\, relentless participation. Democracy will only survive if we show up\, lock arms\, and defend it. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nLauren Groh-Wargo is a political and civic engagement strategist\, executive\, and advocate for economic and voting rights. She partnered with Stacey Abrams in 2012 to build Democratic and progressive infrastructure in Georgia\, and in response to 2018 voter suppression\, founded and serves as CEO of Fair Fight Action\, which combats suppression and advances voter education. Fair Fight played a key role in the 2020 election and 2021 Georgia runoff. An organizer at heart\, Lauren has led campaigns and advised nonprofits nationally for over 20 years. She holds an Economics degree from American University and lives in Atlanta with her partner and son. \nWendy Weiser is Vice President for Democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School\, where she oversees work on voting rights\, elections\, redistricting\, courts\, and abuse of power. A constitutional lawyer and democracy expert\, she directs research\, litigation\, policy\, advocacy\, and public education initiatives\, including programs on voting access\, judicial reform\, and executive power safeguards. Weiser has litigated landmark cases\, authored Supreme Court briefs\, advanced policies like automatic voter registration\, and contributed to the Freedom to Vote and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Acts. She is a frequent speaker and media commentator. She holds a BA and JD from Yale.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/the-fbi-went-down-to-georgia/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Spotlight Speaker Series,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Recap_Fair-Fight-Action_Brennan-Center-for-Justice.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260310T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260310T200000
DTSTAMP:20260406T121426
CREATED:20260225T161523Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260312T161218Z
UID:62274-1773169200-1773172800@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Hands Off Our Ballots: Safeguarding The 2026 Midterms
DESCRIPTION:Democracy doesn’t defend itself—and the road to the 2026 midterms is already a battlefield. \nIn this BigTentUSA spotlight event\, legal experts Joyce Vance and Marc Elias\, moderated by Reed Galen\, broke down the growing threats to free and fair elections and what citizens can do right now to push back. The speakers warned that MAGA-aligned forces are laying the groundwork to challenge election results long before ballots are cast—through lawsuits\, state-level rule changes\, and coordinated efforts to undermine trust in the system. Elias highlighted how the courts remain a critical front line in protecting voting rights\, while Vance emphasized the broader rule-of-law stakes if election subversion tactics succeed. Both stressed that vigilance\, legal accountability\, and civic engagement are essential in the months ahead. \nThe takeaway was clear: safeguarding democracy in 2026 won’t happen automatically—it will require informed citizens\, organized communities\, and relentless defense of the rules that keep elections free and fair. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nMarc Elias is the Firm Chair of Elias Law Group.  Marc has successfully argued and won four cases in the U.S. Supreme Court\, as well as dozens of cases in state supreme courts and U.S. courts of appeal. In 2020\, Marc led the historic legal effort to protect voting rights\, winning over 60 lawsuits against MAGA’s efforts to suppress the vote. Marc is the founder of Democracy Docket\, the leading platform for advocacy and information about voting rights\, elections\, redistricting and democracy. \nJoyce White Vance is a Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Alabama\, a legal analyst for NBC and MSNBC\, and the author of the Civil Discourse newsletter. She co-hosts the podcasts #SistersInLaw and Insider with Preet Bharara. A former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama under President Obama. Joyce lives in Alabama with her husband\, retired Judge Robert Vance Jr.\, their four kids\, a collection of pets—and she knits\, a lot. \nReed Galen is an independent political strategist\, co-founder of The Lincoln Project\, and currently serves as the President of The Union\, a nationwide coalition working to rebuild American democracy from the ground up. The Union brings together volunteers\, organizers\, and local leaders to support decent\, competent candidates at every level of government. Under Reed’s leadership\, The Union is building the infrastructure needed to show up in all 50 states and strengthen civic engagement nationwide.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/hands-off-our-ballots/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:BigTent Spotlight Speaker Series,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Recap_Marc-Elias_Joyce-Vance.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T130000
DTSTAMP:20260406T121426
CREATED:20260309T200933Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T192003Z
UID:62452-1773921600-1773925200@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Cornhuskers Countdown: Nebraska and the 2026 Midterms
DESCRIPTION:On Thursday\, March 19\, BigTentUSA convened a TentTalk discussion highlighting the political stakes in Nebraska ahead of the 2026 midterms. \nWith Aaron Parnas as moderator\, independent candidate for U.S. Senate Dan Osborn pointed to rising living costs and a worsening economic outlook for farmers—driven by flawed economic policies and tariffs—as the defining pressures shaping voter sentiment. He made clear that these challenges are fueling a growing demand for change—and that voters have the power to demand better. \nOsborn called for meaningful campaign finance reform\, arguing that local races should not require massive sums of money and that elected officials must remain accountable to constituents\, not special interests. As a longtime registered Independent\, he also urged participants to think beyond party lines and actively support candidates based on their ideas\, integrity\, and experience. The conversation positioned Nebraska as a critical proving ground for a broader movement toward accountability and reform. \nOsborn closed with a powerful call to action\, encouraging immediate support for Nebraskans affected by the largest wildfire in the state’s history—and reminding everyone that showing up for one another is where real change begins. \nSupport Nebraskans affected by the wildfires: \n\nNebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund\nNebraska Sandhills Rancher Fire Relief Fund\nUnited Way of Western Nebraska\nAmerican Red Cross Nebraska Region\nThe Salvation Army\nNebraska Wildfire Recovery Fund\n\n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nDan Osborn is a steamfitter and former union leader who gained national attention leading the 77-day Kellogg’s strike in Omaha in 2021. As president of the Bakery\, Confectionery\, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 50G\, he successfully negotiated wage increases and prevented implementation of a two-tier wage system for over 1\,400 workers. A U.S. Navy veteran and father of three\, Osborn has spent the last 20 years punching a clock as a steamfitter and industrial engineer\, work that he continues to do while campaigning for Senate. He is running as an independent candidate focused on economic issues affecting working families. \nAaron Parnas is one of the leading Gen Z voices shaping how news is consumed today. An independent journalist\, political commentator\, strategist\, and attorney\, Aaron has quickly become a key figure in the national political conversation\, offering sharp insights at the intersection of law\, media\, and policy. \nHe first gained widespread attention through viral\, educational content that breaks down complex political issues in a fast\, accessible way—particularly resonating with younger\, highly engaged audiences. His rapid-response analysis of major court decisions\, legislative battles\, and election narratives has made him a trusted voice for millions across platforms.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/cornhuskers-countdown/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:Tent Talks,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Recap_Dan-Osborn_Aaron-Parnas.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260409T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260409T130000
DTSTAMP:20260406T121426
CREATED:20260325T234809Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260401T213702Z
UID:62943-1775736000-1775739600@bigtentusa.org
SUMMARY:Courageous Citizenship: Bridging the Divide
DESCRIPTION:What if the path out of America’s division starts with a constructive conversation? \nJoin the BigTentUSA community on April 9 at 12pm ET for a powerful and interactive TentTalk with Randy Freeman and Michael Asbury of Braver Angels\, the nation’s largest cross-partisan volunteer movement working to bridge America’s political divide. Moderated by Jess Piper\, Executive Director of Blue Missouri\, they’ll walk us through the Braver Angels approach—a proven process that helps people engage across differences\, listen with curiosity\, and find unexpected common ground. \nTo help make this a more impactful experience\, speakers ask that all attendees print out and complete a short questionnaire in advance and come prepared to reflect on your responses during the event. Don’t overthink it—go with the answers that feel right to you (no judgment). \nYou’ll hear real stories of communities healing deep political rifts and learn practical tools you can use to bring more productive\, courageous conversations into your own life and community. \nIf democracy depends on us talking to each other\, this is where we start. Join us. \n  \nABOUT THE SPEAKERS: \nJess Piper is a mother to five and grandmother to three and lives on a small farm on the Missouri/Iowa border. She was born and raised in rural America. She was an American Literature teacher for 16 years. After the 2016 election of Trump\, Jess became politically active. Jess ran for office in 2022 for State Representative in HD1 in Northwest Missouri. Jess writes a well known newsletter: The View from Rural Missouri \nRandy Freeman is a retired psychotherapist and couples therapist who joined Braver Angels in 2017 because she was upset about the political divisiveness. She is presently the New York State Coordinator\, an Ambassador and a moderator for the organization.  Randy sees this as a continuation of her work as a couples therapist and sees her role as a therapist for the country.  \nMichael Asbury is the Co-Chair of the Capital Region of NY State Alliance of Braver Angels since 2020\, one of over 125 such local Alliances across the USA. Serving with a Co-Chair of the opposite political persuasion\, he guides the local mission of Braver Angels to bring Americans together by bridging the partisan divide to strengthen our democratic republic\, and by seeking common ground where none was formerly known.  Braver Angels works with all those answering the call for civic renewal.
URL:https://bigtentusa.org/event/courageous-citizenship/
LOCATION:BigTent Zoom Room
CATEGORIES:Tent Talks,BigTent Action Opportunities,BigTent Events,Preserving Democracy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://bigtentusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/RSVP_Braver-Angels-Jess-Piper.webp
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