Faith Rising for Democracy: How to Show Up for No Kings, With Adam Friedman

 REV. PAUL BRANDEIS RAUSHENBUSH, HOST:
Adam Friedman is the organizing and election strategist at Interfaith Alliance, where he leads the organization's affiliate program, advances national field and policy efforts, and manages our federal democracy and voting rights work. And he's celebrating two years. So congratulations. Yay! Big applause.

Adam came to the Alliance after advocacy work in the Reform Jewish Youth Movement and his co-founding of Team Enough, the youth initiative of Brady United, where he also helped launch and lead the lobbying collective. He previously organized for political campaigns in Virginia, focusing on grassroots mobilization and civic engagement.

Most recently, Adam's been spearheading the organization's outreach and training around nonviolent resistance and de-escalation. I really want this week's show to not only present this important work, but also to share some concrete and actionable lessons for effective and safe nonviolent activism and de-escalation.

Adam, welcome back to the State of Belief. I'm so glad you're here!

ADAM FRIEDMAN, GUEST:

Thank you so much for having me. It's always a pleasure.

PAUL RAUSHENBUSH:

So let's just get into it, because part of the reason we're having this conversation is that No Kings is next week, October 18th. Huge - maybe the biggest in American history, frankly - it's a huge opportunity for all of us to show up. How are you understanding this moment and why No Kings is so important?

ADAM FRIEDMAN:

I think it's so important for us to start with that, because we're in a moment where a lot of folks are feeling scared. We have to speak to that truth. We know that democracy is under attack. And we also know that the fabric of our country, of our communities is built on a democracy. It's built on people from different places, different belief systems, coming together in the pursuit of a more perfect union. And so this is the moment where we can take to the streets and assert that. Let the people in power know, let the people who are impacting our communities know, America is not a place for a king.

PAUL RAUSHENBUSH:

I love that. I love that. I mean, it's really so important. And, you know, that seems kind of obvious as we walk around, but “We, the people” is the founding statement of our country. We the people. It's not about a king. And we have, actually, a president who has put out on social media images of him wearing a crown and has said, basically, I think people want me to be a dictator. All these things. And he's acting like that right now, ever more so.

 So this is a really important moment to stand behind that and say, no, no kings. And also, yes to democracy. This isn't just no. I love the way you frame that: It's about democracy in action, and it's about showing the people showing up together. And I think one of the things that I know you and I both feel so strongly about is, this is an invitation. For anyone listening to this, you are invited. And one of the reasons we're doing this at Interfaith Alliance is it's so important that religious people, people of diverse faiths and beliefs, know that they are invited. And indeed, I would say you are needed in this moment.

 Let's talk about that. Tell me your take on why it's so important for religious and spiritual people of diverse beliefs to show up in this moment, to a moment like No Kings and these demonstrations.

ADAM FRIEDMAN:

Well, to use some religious language, I think every person of faith in our country right now is being called. And the question is how we will answer it. We see folks on one side of the political spectrum with one relationship to the idea, like you mentioned, of an authoritarian showing up in a way that concerns a lot of people. And we know that the church basement, we know our synagogues, our mosques, our gurdwaras, are places where folks come together not just to practice our values and then go home, but to practice our values and bring them to the world. Ensure that every person, our neighbors, receive the positive values that undergird us. And so for so many reasons, but especially the spiritual resiliency that our faith traditions lend to us, it is essential that we show up.

You know, I'm a member of Gen Z. I don't have the historical perspective that some do, but I grew up hearing about the Civil Rights Movement in the United States and the truth that people of faith, incredible clergy members, were on the front lines - not just because clergy, people of faith have a megaphone, have a voice to share in this moment, but because the resiliency, the act of showing up despite what we're up against, knowing that we will win because we are pursuing justice - that stems from our faith traditions. And that's why we need to show up right now.

PAUL RAUSHENBUSH:

Yeah, it's such a powerful image, the one with Heschel alongside King, and knowing that King had been so influenced by Howard Thurman, who was so influenced by Gandhi, and recognizing this is the richness that is there. And one of the things I'd love for you to talk a little bit about - you mentioned your tradition - you're Gen Z, but you grew up really deeply enmeshed in a religious tradition that valued this kind of showing up. Can you talk a little bit about your own background and why you have shown up in so many of these organizing spaces?

ADAM FRIEDMAN:

I'm a Reform Jew. That is, I'm many things, and foundational to who I am is my Judaism. I was actually talking about this with a good friend of mine last night, where I made the distinction between religion and tradition, knowing that both of these things call us to this moment.

Something I'm thinking about a lot right now is a quote from Pirkei Avot, where a rabbi reminds us that we are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are we free to desist from it. That religious grounding is there, it is fundamental. And at the same time, in my tradition, as in many others, there is a deep legacy of the pursuit of justice that we continue on.

I was five years old at my synagogue's mitzvah day, where I had the privilege of looking up to my mother, the congregational rabbi. And the two of us were washing cars for free to make our community a little nicer, take care of folks. And I couldn't reach any other part than the hubcaps - and so that was my specialty. But service, understanding justice is inextricably linked to how we're called to show up in the world as people of faith. How I'm called to show up as a Jewish person is how I'm showing up right now and why I do this work.

PAUL RAUSHENBUSH:

Oh my God, I love that image. Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, who was on this show, and one of the quotes that she said on this show was, “Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something.” And that's really like you with the hubcaps. I'm going to take care of that. I can't reach that, but I can take care of that. And that is the perfect metaphor for this moment with No Kings and with demonstration and showing up publicly and saying, I am part of this democracy.

One thing I really would love for you to talk about - before we're going to get into some very specifics about how all of you who are listening can be safe, intentional, and bring your best selves - but one of the things I've been very moved by in some of these protests is the specific role that some religious leaders - and again, listeners, I'm not suggesting that this is something that you have to take on, but it has been very important in some of the protests in Chicago, in LA, in DC. Faith leaders have made an effort to kind of say, okay, I'm going to put on all of my faithy stuff, and I'm going to make sure that I put myself in a way that helps de-escalate a moment, helps promote a nonviolence approach, and also shows that, actually, we bring all of the moral power and courage from our tradition into this moment.

You can try to say this is Antifa, whatever that is, that made-up thing, but we're actually bringing Judaism into this mix. We're bringing Christianity into this mix. We're bringing all of our traditions. And so this is also part of what this is.

So I would love for you, Adam, and what you've been seeing, I've talked about this before on the show, but like, that moment in DC when the church rang its bells, and there's a power to faith showing up in this moment. Talk to me a little bit about how you, as someone who's an organizer and has experience in this, how you understand the very important and specific role that faith leaders and people of all different backgrounds can play.

ADAM FRIEDMAN:

Like you so essentially pointed out, we all can do something. So whether you're someone who goes to services a few times a year, who goes to church every Sunday, or you're a lay leader in your community, maybe you're a clergy member, there is a role for you and there is a unique voice that you bring. So I want to talk about clergy and folks who have the ability to show up wearing traditional religious garb, which signifies something very particular. I want to speak to that.

And I do want to emphasize, and like you mentioned, we'll get tangible with this, if you're someone who just shows up because you know your faith tradition calls you to do that; showing up and making that connection explicit on your protest sign, in your chanting, saying No Kings because you know that you're commanded not to bow to any king, not adhere to the agenda of any king, if that's what your tradition teaches you, that's a crucial way to show up as a full individual, and a crucial way to assert that in a democracy every person can show up as their full self. So I want to name that.

I also do want to say that if you are a clergy member, there are really important things that you can do. We've seen in the United States - I live in Washington, DC. I know allies in Chicago, in Portland, in Los Angeles, in Memphis, in cities around the country who have been contending with ICE raids, with the National Guard, have seen how clergy can be that line of defense in de-escalating, reducing tension, and bringing a moral voice. And globally, we've seen in moments where there is an authoritarian regime, nuns, clergy members on the front lines have literally, in some cases, gotten members of military, members of the police, to put down their weapons and join the protest. We know faith has incredible power.

And what I'll say is if you're in this context, you're going out to No Kings, by wearing your religious garb as a clergy member, you're making a few things clear. You're invoking faith in a sacred way, saying the act of dissenting, the act of lifting up democracy and practicing our First Amendment rights, is part of the freedom of religion and part of what my tradition instructs me to do. You're also saying that this is peaceful. People of faith, especially clergy, are symbols of peace and justice. And you're also letting folks know that regardless of their relationship with religion, faith is on your side, is on the side of truth, of peace, of justice, and we're here to show up and support the movement.

PAUL RAUSHENBUSH:

I love that. And I especially love the radical act of just showing up as a faith leader and being an advocate for peace and nonviolence, which is so essential. it undercuts the essential talking point of the other side that this is a violent movement that is trying to hurt America or anything. This is actually the most American of actions. And so it's just really, really important to recognize that.

One thing I do want to make sure I mention is that on Tuesday, October 14th, Interfaith Alliance is hosting a No Kings faith training. And we're going to talk a lot about that today, but if you want to get even more with some great folks from Indivisible and Democracy Forward and other places, please look for that on our website at interfaithalliance.org. And the other place I want you to look on our website for all kinds of resources is, if you just Google No Kings Faith, you will find our landing page. It's interfaithalliance.org, but if you just Google No Kings Faith, you will come to our landing page and there you will get all kinds of resources on the way you can show up, and the way that you can make this all happen. So please do show up and find your way to the website. So join us on October 14th for the webinar.

But in the meantime, let's get into it. Adam, I just think for some people, some of our listeners, have probably never been to a demonstration. What are the first steps? And really, our goal here is to make sure that each of you who are listening feels invited.

And here's the thing. No Kings is massive this year, so almost assuredly there is a No Kings opportunity very near you: if not in your town, it's one town over. What are some first things that every single person thinking about showing up for a demonstration like No Kings, which is explicitly meant to be peaceful and a joyful opportunity for us to come together, Adam, what's the first piece of advice or technical or inspirational? What do you want to say to all of those who are thinking, you know, can I show up?

ADAM FRIEDMAN:

I'll say the most important thing to remember is to bring sunscreen and a water bottle. It's what my mom always tells me. In all seriousness, this is a celebration for democracy happening in over 2,000 places around our country. This is your community. Everyone you know will be there. This is going to be a powerful moment, a meaningful moment, but also a fun moment where we can say we're celebrating our tradition of democracy. We're celebrating the vision of what our country can be. And we're also saying no kings. We're also saying no to authoritarianism. We can hold both of those things.

And if you're not sure whether you should go or not, I'd encourage you to think about this: what's the first step you want to take? If you're sitting at home, you feel concerned about this moment, know that there is a community of folks where you live, who, on October 18th, will be gathering because they share your concerns. They want to talk about it. Maybe they're angry, maybe they're sad or upset, maybe they feel hopeful and they want to be with folks who have a shared vision - whatever that might be, you can show up and be in community. I think that's the first thing. I encourage folks to show up, to show out. Nokings.org, find the event near you.

I’d also say important things to remember, like you mentioned, this is nonviolent, this is peaceful. First and foremost, make sure that you're showing up feeling safe, feeling comfortable, people know that you're going to a protest, bring a friend with you, bring your family. And it's also important to make sure you know the route. You have a sense of how long you'll be there. It's going to be a really exciting moment. And so make your plan for how you're going to get there, how you'll leave.

I'd say if this is your first time protesting, maybe you haven't been in a while, here are three things to remember. One, bring a water bottle, make sure you're hydrated. It's going to be hot out there in October for a lot of folks. Two, bring a friend or bring your family. And if you're not able to bring other folks, let somebody know: I'm going to be at No Kings. I'm really excited. I'll send you pictures after. And this is where I'm going to be this afternoon. And the third thing, when you're there, make sure you talk to someone new. Build a new connection. Make sure that in this moment where you can show up, get loud, and protest, you're also thinking about what you'll do next. How am I going to go to the meeting for my Interfaith Alliance affiliate the next week?

PAUL RAUSHENBUSH:

I think one of the things you mentioned before was, it's one kind of fun, creative thing, is to make a sign. I mean, going to No Kings, the first one in June, the signs were incredible. People are so creative and many of them are super fun and super funny. And there were many people saying, my religious tradition says, using scripture, using a meditation text or, you know, text from the Buddha or Jesus or from scripture at all. Express yourself, feel like what you think and how you're coming matters. So you can take some time, just get a cardboard box and a big marker and write whatever. You know, for me, I quoted a passage from Jesus around, welcome the stranger - Jesus, and then just said, No Kings. And that was it. And it was great. So you come like that.

But let's just like, what are the rights to protest? I think it's really important that people realize this is a protected right. It's a right of free speech. It's a right of free assembly. And it's a right of freedom of religion. One of the things that we've been doing recently is joining some of these lawsuits with amicus briefs talking about protest as a fundamental right within religious freedom contexts, not just within freedom of speech, but religious freedom. But you show up, what rights do you have? Because there could be officers there. My experience, again, is that the officers are there to help organize and protect, not to disrupt. But we've seen that that's not always the case. So what are the rights that you have when you show up to a protest like this, or a demonstration?

ADAM FRIEDMAN:

We know that the right to speak freely, to either celebrate or criticize folks in power, that's not only an essential right, it's our First Amendment. It's perhaps the most important right we have. And so going to a protest, engaging in this kind of speech, Is central to our American identity. It's a tradition as old as our country. And in fact, our country was founded. And so you, in showing up, are are well within your rights and are carrying on a legacy steeped in American tradition.

I also encourage everyone to make sure they're listening to event organizers. So there are some nuances, and I'll say I'm not a lawyer, but I've planned enough protests to know this one. For example, if you're doing a march that's permitted, you have a certain route that you're marching, make sure you're following signs, you're listening to organizers who will let you know the streets that you're allowed to march on. Sometimes, sidewalks might be cordoned off, so make sure you're following. Most of these marches will have marshals, folks that are wearing vests that are identifiable. All of these marches have safety plans.

PAUL RAUSHENBUSH:

I just want to underline that, what Adam just said. There are marshals there; you're not doing this on your own. There are people whose whole job is to keep you safe and to keep the protest or the demonstration within the permit that was agreed upon by the city or the village. It's really important to listen to the marshals. Your presence there is enough. Everybody wants to keep one another safe, so that's really important. They generally have some sort of jacket on or something. You will know, you will see the marshals, listen to them, make sure that you are part of that group. They appreciate nothing more than being listened to and have their instructions followed.

ADAM FRIEDMAN:

Absolutely. And that's how we can keep one another safe as we engage in these mobilizations. I'd say it's also important, like you mentioned, for people of faith to recognize this is part of our freedom of expression. This is part of us ensuring that we can practice our religion freely for those of us called because of our faith into this moment. And so, like you said, we recently led an amicus brief in a lawsuit that challenged the administration on these grounds, because people of faith were being told they could not protest in Los Angeles, in violation of their religious freedom.

And so we know the moment we're in, we know that rights are under threat. And by going out, by peacefully protesting, by leaning into and exercising our rights, we can say we're not letting you take these rights away from us. We are holding true, we are lifting up our freedom of speech, our freedom of assembly.

PAUL RAUSHENBUSH:

It's so important. And here's the thing. No Kings is no one is meant to be getting arrested, okay, including you. You may be feeling like, I want to go out there and get arrested. That's fine. This is not that event. Nowhere is there a plan for anyone to get arrested; that's when something's going wrong. So we want to make sure that all of our listeners understand that this is a protest where no one is doing that kind of—there is a place for that, and we'll do another training on that. Everything about No Kings is about peaceful protests. Actually, it's about, in some ways, refuting this kind of propaganda line that the Insurrection Act has to be invoked because these protests are rebelling against America. This is the opposite of rebelling. This is actually showing up as democracy.

I think that's really important for us to also be talking about, Adam, is that this is a right enshrined in the Constitution that we can exercise. And in some ways, by showing up, we can undercut this terrible effort that the administration is trying to do to say, everybody is Antifa, or they're trying to take away our country. This is an exercise of our country.

ADAM FRIEDMAN:

And in showing up in this way, exercising these foundational freedoms, we're also ensuring that their agenda doesn't work. This is a very tangible way to push back. I just want to lift up a quick statistic. We work with some amazing folks, Erika Chanoweth and Maria Stefan, who came up with this number, 3.5%. They looked at anti-authoritarian movements across the world over years, and found that when at least 3.5% of the population takes to the streets, engages in strategic non-cooperation and sustained action, like we are doing now, the authoritarian regime falls. We're trying to show up and indicate that all of this ongoing work is happening in our communities, so much so that 3.5% of our population - and we know we'll get more on October 18th - is taking to the streets.

PAUL RAUSHENBUSH:

That is really important and that we maintain the momentum, because a lot of what you'll be hearing is, you know, what's next? And there will be an invitation to how can we keep this going? How can we make sure that we are continuing to show up?

One of the opportunities that we're hoping that faith communities will take advantage of - and again, you can go to our website and find out more about it at interfaithalliance.org - is that people of faith from all different traditions can gather before the demonstration that's going to be happening down the street or in the neighborhood and gather together and say, let's celebrate one another together. Let's lift up all of these pieces of our tradition that inspire us towards democracy, that inspire us towards increased peace or increased justice for all.

Talk a little bit about that, Adam, because I think that's a really exciting idea, is that people can really - they can just organize something. It does not have to be complicated. Just show up and stand in a circle and say, actually, I'm here because I've been praying about it. And it could be anything, or it could be something very grand in a cathedral. Whatever it is, it can be. But that's something we're really hoping people will do.

ADAM FRIEDMAN:

Absolutely. I know earlier we talked about how it's great to bring a friend. Why not bring 30 and start the day out at your house of worship, spending time with the folks you're going to church, to synagogue, to your mosque with every week, and set the stage. We know that American democracy is built on so many people of different faiths and beliefs coming together like we're doing in this moment. And part of that is celebrating what makes us unique. And so as people of faith gather together on October 18th to say No Kings, starting out rooted in our faith traditions in our houses of worship is so powerful.

And so again, I encourage folks to go to interfaithalliance.org. We have a phenomenal toolkit up right now which will give you some step-by-step guidance on how to plan and carry out an event like this where you can bring clergy speakers together. Maybe you have a little breakfast. I know for me, it's not an interfaith gathering without it. And really have a moment to bring folks together. Do some sign-making. We have a great messaging guide right now on the anti-authoritarian page of our website where you can look at messages that folks from around the country lifted up during the first No Kings on June 14th, and lift up some of those faithful messages again.

PAUL RAUSHENBUSH:

And the other thing we'll mention is that we encourage you, if you're listening to this, write to your local newspaper. People are always like, oh, well, the New York Times. Honestly, I don't care about the New York Times. I want your local newspaper to really hear from you and say, hey, just so you know, we're showing up with the synagogue, the mosque, the church, we're all going together. Drop by. Or, here's an op-ed.

One of the things that we want people to know is we have a messaging guide also on the website that you can learn from and imagine writing your own op-ed about why you as a person of faith - and you do not need to be clergy, by the way, to do this - why you as a person of faith are showing up. So I just encourage everyone to realize none of what we're talking about is meant to be a big, big step. We're trying to emphasize, If you show up -  there's no 100% guarantee, but I really strongly believe that you are going to enjoy yourself. You are going to feel stronger afterwards, and you are going to feel like you are part of American democracy, which is really important right now when the idea of keeping us separate, keeping us without a sense of hope or future, is really part of the authoritarian playbook. And I think that that's what we're also trying to invite folks to find your courage, find your inspiration, and just know by you showing up, you're going to be inspiring someone else as well.

Adam, do you remember going to your first protest? Do you remember what it felt like? I mean, I have almost like a visceral memory of being around other people and being like, oh my God, this is like really cool.

ADAM FRIEDMAN:

Yeah, you know, actually I was thinking about this recently, too. I remember I was a little kid. I couldn't have been more than six years old. I first gathered with folks at my synagogue. I grew up in the Bay Area. We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and went to a rally to end the genocide in Darfur. that I was, a really little kid, I was in preschool, but I remember being there and seeing how there were so many people who looked like me, who didn't look like me, who had driven further away or who had walked out of their homes to be there, but who were all coming together to say the same thing because they knew it was right.

And ever since, every time I go to a protest, I know this is the kind of country I want to live in, where regardless of what we're up against, regardless of that creep of authoritarianism we might feel sometimes in our bones that can be really paralyzing, we know that when we're at a protest, and this is from my experience, I often feel very, very safe. I feel like I'm in community with people who have a shared vision for our country, and we're talking about it. We're manifesting it together, and we're moving the needle by showing up.

PAUL RAUSHENBUSH:

There's so much information about the resources and trainings offered by Interfaith Alliance at interfaithalliance.org, and that includes the landing page for the preparation for No Kings II on October 18th.

Adam, thank you so much for being such a great colleague and for all you're doing, and for being with us again on The State of Belief.

ADAM FRIEDMAN:

Thanks for having me, Paul. It's always great to be here.

PAUL RAUSHENBUSH:

We'll see everyone out there on October 18th for No Kings.

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