Get In Touch

DAN was founded in November 2024 by David Comfort in response to growing concerns about threats to democratic institutions and constitutional governance. We emerged as a coordinated effort to defend democratic norms and build sustainable infrastructure for long-term civic engagement.

No. While we take clear positions on democratic principles, DAN maintains a nonpartisan approach focused on defending constitutional democracy rather than partisan interests. We welcome members from across the political spectrum who share our commitment to democratic values, rule of law, and inclusive governance.

Our work is guided by several foundational principles:

• Defense of constitutional democracy and rule of law
• Commitment to universal human rights and dignity
• Nonviolent action and resistance
• Strategic and pragmatic approaches to activism
• Inclusive coalition building across diverse communities
• Transparency and accountability in our operations
• Democratic processes within our own organization

Our work is organized into three strategic phases:

• Phase 1: Immediate Resistance (Present-2026) – Protecting democratic institutions and building organizational infrastructure
• Phase 2: Democratic Restoration (2026-2028) – Working toward electoral change and preparing plans to restore democratic safeguards
• Phase 3: Democratic Renewal (2028 and beyond) – Strengthening democratic foundations through legislative reform and civic initiatives

DAN distinguishes itself through our comprehensive approach that combines immediate resistance with long-term democratic renewal. Unlike organizations focused solely on elections or single issues, we integrate defense of institutions, community organizing, civic education, and policy development into a cohesive strategy. We also emphasize positive vision and hope-centered messaging over purely oppositional tactics.

You can join DAN by:

• Attending one of our weekly organizing meetings (currently drawing 100-300 participants)
• Signing up for our newsletter on our website
• Contacting us
• Participating in upcoming events and actions

Members can participate in numerous ways based on their interests, skills, and availability:

• Join a working group focused on specific aspects of our mission
• Volunteer for events and actions
• Contribute to community education initiatives
• Support our rapid response network
• Help with organizational operations
• Donate to support our work

DAN organizes a diverse range of activities including:

• Rallies and marches advocating for democratic principles
• Educational programs like teach-ins and film series
• Nonviolent direct action training
• Community dialogue forums across political divides
• Cultural events like the Concert for Democracy
• Activist training camps and leadership development

We identify several key threats to democratic governance:

• Undermining judicial independence
• Eroding electoral systems and voting rights
• Attacking press freedom and independent media
• Compromising civil service integrity
• Concentrating executive power beyond constitutional limits
• Deepening polarization that erodes democratic dialogue
• Economic inequality that undermines democratic participation

DAN recognizes that democratic stability depends on broadly shared prosperity and economic inclusion. We advocate for policies that promote economic opportunity across all communities, address regional economic disparities, ensure technological benefits are widely distributed, and establish metrics for tracking economic inclusion across demographic groups.

We practice the democratic values we advocate for by implementing participatory decision-making processes. Our organizational structure includes:

• Elected leadership councils at national and local levels
• Working groups with defined areas of responsibility
• Regular membership meetings for input on major decisions
• Transparent communication about organizational priorities and challenges
• Commitments to shared leadership and diverse representation