Q: To so many of us, this moment feels unprecedented. Do you agree with that?
TG: Historically, this is not unprecedented. Those of us who come from marginalized communities recognize that this has happened before. Many times before. Just ask the Native Americans. This isn't new. It's just that the way in which we have decided to fight back changes over time.
It’s tempting to think Massachusetts is immune to rising anti-democratic sentiment because it has a Democratic Governor and Attorney General, and Boston has a Democratic mayor who stands up to Trump. Should we be worried?
We too often think, “Woo, thank goodness we don't live in some southern state!” But the reality is that these issues are affecting Massachusetts residents as well. We hear about the gerrymandering that's happening in Louisiana, but we have voting rights issues here in Massachusetts. We have First Amendment rights issues here. Book bans happen in Massachusetts. ICE is showing up here in our neighborhoods, same as they're showing up in other neighborhoods around the country. So don't be under the illusion that these things don't happen in Massachusetts because we're a blue state. We still have our fights that we need to fight.
Local elections are coming up on November 4 at a time when elections and their security are major concerns. What’s the ACLU doing to protect our votes?
Look, democracy is free and fair only when all eligible Americans have the capability to go and vote, right? Voting is our most fundamental and constitutional right. So we need to make sure that the folks who are elected reflect our communities and reflect our interests and our values. We want them to be able to go and vote in a way that does not inhibit that right. As an example, in Lawrence, which is one of our “BIPOC to the Ballot Box” cities, the state is going to be overseeing the election process this Tuesday. That is not a normal thing. We and many others from other voting rights organizations here in Massachusetts will be out at the polls doing election protection work and manning the Election Protection hotline—166-OUR-VOTE, or 166-687-8683. We work in the courts, in the communities, in the legislature. All of these kinds of things are really important to making sure that our democracy functions for everyone.
What can everyday people do to rebuild our democracy in a way that benefits everyone?
It doesn't take grand gestures. It's also about those small moments where you have a discussion with somebody in the aisle at the grocery store about these issues. It's about the discussions around the dinner table with your family. Talking to your city council. Because activism begins at home. One of the really great things that I loved about this last “No Kings” demonstration—I saw this one picture of a woman in some small town in Alaska. And it was just her. She had a sign, and she was like, “I'm making my stand right here.” Every person makes a difference. In whatever small way they can do it. Maybe that’s sharing a book with your child or reading a book to your child's classroom. Because this is not just a fight for today. We're doing it because we know the folks who came before us fought for us. We have to preserve our democracy for future generations, so every little effort helps.
How do you continue to find joy in your work in such a challenging time?
I'm lucky enough to be in a place where my whole job, my whole kind of existence in this moment, is part of the fight. I consider myself lucky in that way. For me, it's a day-to-day. I am always pushing back against those who are looking to steal our democracy. I think one of the great things about working for the ACLU is that you are surrounded by like-minded people who have a purpose, and our purpose is making sure that we are protecting and securing rights for all Americans.
