“Democracy is not a spectator sport. Get out and get involved.”
A high school teacher urging his students to register to vote. A civil discourse volunteer working to bridge partisan divides. A newly naturalized U.S. citizen from Mexico helping others navigate the path to citizenship. A young activist drawing on childhood trauma to fight for equal justice. A retired grandmother organizing protests and local campaigns with renewed purpose.
Each of these Chicagoans, in their own ways, is working to strengthen democracy. In their daily lives, they demonstrate what hands-on civil participation looks like in one major American city, and the vital importance of their efforts in this moment.
In a series of documentaries, Firsthand: Democracy presents intimate portraits of five Chicago residents responding to a period of political polarization and public distrust. Their stories focus on the steady, sustained efforts of people rebuilding democratic practice from the community level up.
Miten Patel traces his journey from a corporate career to a civics-education classroom, where he encourages his students at Evanston Township High School to register to vote, question political candidates, and directly engage with the political process. Miten, a British-born Indian immigrant, uses creative teaching methods to demonstrate that democracy is a verb – an active process requiring ongoing action and participation from citizens. “Our system doesn’t work without knowledgeable citizens,” he says. “This is a 24/7, 365-day citizen requirement to make sure this democracy is functioning.”
“…of the people, by the people, for the people…”
Whether Braver Angels volunteer Maryanne Colter is participating in a community debate on a hot-button issue, teaching college students how to disagree about politics without being disagreeable, or showing neighbors of opposing political views how to find common ground, she is acting on her belief that everyone can play a role in addressing our country’s toxic divisiveness – not in changing people’s opinions on issues, but how they view each other. “If we all do a little, nobody has to do a lot,” she says.
Isabel Aguilar is playing her part. After she immigrated to Chicago from Mexico 23 years ago, she became a lawful permanent resident and worked to build a comfortable life for her family. But she yearned to fully participate in American democracy. “I love this country,” she says. “I’m not going anywhere.” So, with the help of a local nonprofit, Isabel became a naturalized citizen and is now blazing a trail for other immigrants as a volunteer tutor, watching with pride as her students take the Oath of Allegiance to their new country.
When Camille Williams was six years old, her mother was murdered and she was forced to testify in court. That traumatizing childhood experience informs her mission today: to ensure that everyone impacted by America’s legal system knows their rights and responsibilities. Camille’s current focus is on securing voting rights for incarcerated people as part of a larger quest for a more inclusive democracy. She urges everyone to take an active role in preserving the democratic process. “Giving up is not an option,” she tells us.
At age 72, Julee Mortensen lives by a maxim: democracy does not retire. With that in mind, the suburban grandmother is now a full-time defender of democracy. Julee keeps a busy “resistance calendar,” organizing and participating in multiple protests a week centered on causes ranging from voting rights to banned books. And she focuses on the big picture: While her own campaign for the Elk Grove Village Board of Trustees ended in defeat, she helped usher in a new generation of candidates who are changing attitudes in her quiet, traditional suburb. “Democracy is not a spectator sport,” Julee declares. “Get out and get involved.”
The stories of Maryanne, Miten, Isabel, Camille, and Julee demonstrate that each person, no matter who they are or what they bring to the table, has a key role to play in standing up for democracy. As America prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, they hope that others will find their own ways to take part in this movement.
Throughout 2026, meet people across Chicago who are working to preserve and strengthen our democracy through these five documentaries; journalism; a companion discussion guide for schools, libraries, and community organizations; and, in partnership with Braver Angels of Illinois, Illinois America 250, Illinois Humanities, and Mikva Challenge, community conversations extending the reach of the project into the many neighborhoods across Chicago.
