Writers for
Democratic Action
Minnesota

Our Mission

Writers for Democratic Action Minnesota, a chapter of the national organization, exists to support and encourage writers and others in our state to contribute in word and deed to promoting democracy for all in the United States of America.

We are committed to advancing fundamental civil liberties. Our stories are important. Our voices have the right to be heard on the streets, in the halls of government, at the voter booth, with accurate portrayal and reportage.

Currently, WDA-MN:

• Initiates and collaborates in projects that inspire writers to write about and share work related to our American democracy in a time of existential threat
• Builds a community of writers who support one another in efforts to fight fascism in America
• Informs Minnesota writers of opportunities to respond to current dangers facing democracy
• Encourages writers’ participation in pro-democracy, anti-authoritarian events and activities sponsored by various groups and organizations
• Opposes censorship that restricts access to books, limits freedom of expression in writing, and impedes academic freedom

Please stay in touch with us by visiting the Join Us page and signing up as a supporter.

Who We Are and Why

The national Writers for Democratic Action was founded by a group of writers in August of 2020 to oppose the re-election of Donald Trump. WDA believes in literature as a bedrock of democratic culture, and literary language as a force of humanistic inquiry and cultural cohesion. Today there are over 3000 members advocating for justice and equality in the US and across the globe.

The Minnesota chapter was founded in the summer of 2025, four months into Trump’s second term, to support the national group’s continuing efforts, build community, and increase awareness and actionable opportunities within our state.

We hold democracy and the constitution of the United States in high esteem and oppose all efforts by the Trump administration to end the first and ignore the second, including (but not limited to):

The trampling of the rights of women, members of the LGBTQI+ and BIPOC communities, immigrants and children of immigrants, people experiencing poverty, non-human nature, and the perceived enemies and others whose voices are not welcome in the Trump regime.

The attack on public schools, public broadcasting, public lands, independent journalism, courts, systems of checks and balances, history, and the defunding of grants promoting art, science and writing.

The weakening of citizen safety programs and protective institutions such as the FDA, the EPA and other environmental regulations, the denial of climate change, and the repeal of climate mitigation initiatives.

Writers of all kinds have a unique ability to harness the written and spoken word for good, for truth, for justice and equality, and for the rights of all. WDA–MN aims to advocate for writers and for the written word as well as to empower writers to join the fight to protect our democracy.

We look forward to working together

Steering Committee

• Margaret Hasse
• Diane Jarvenpa
• Athena Kildegaard
• Northern Action
• Carter Meland
• Sheila Packa
• Leslie Thomas