Our Sources
This guide is built on research, legal expertise, and guidance from established organizations. Here's where our information comes from.
Academic Research
Nonviolent Resistance
- Erica Chenoweth (Harvard Kennedy School) — Research on civil resistance, including the finding that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to succeed as violent ones
- Gene Sharp — "The Politics of Nonviolent Action" and documentation of 198 methods of nonviolent action
- International Center on Nonviolent Conflict — Research database on civil resistance movements
Polarization and Democracy
- Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt — "How Democracies Die" research on democratic erosion
- More in Common — Research on the "exhausted majority" and affective polarization
- Jonathan Haidt — Research on moral psychology and political division
Community Resilience
- Robert Putnam — Research on social capital and community connections
- Eric Klinenberg — Research on social infrastructure and disaster resilience
Legal & Civil Liberties Organizations
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) — Know Your Rights materials, legal analysis, and constitutional guidance
- National Immigration Law Center (NILC) — Immigration rights and legal resources
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) — Know Your Rights cards and community resources
- National Lawyers Guild — Legal observer training and protesters' rights
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund — Civil rights law and advocacy
- Brennan Center for Justice — Democracy, voting rights, and justice research
Democracy & Governance Organizations
- Protect Democracy — Nonpartisan anti-authoritarianism advocacy
- Freedom House — Global democracy monitoring and research
- League of Women Voters — Nonpartisan voter education
- Common Cause — Democracy reform advocacy
- National Constitution Center — Constitutional education
Civic Engagement Resources
- Indivisible — Constituent advocacy guides and local organizing
- Albert Einstein Institution — Nonviolent action research
- Beautiful Trouble — Creative activism tactics
- International Center on Nonviolent Conflict — Civil resistance education
Bridge-Building & Dialogue
- Braver Angels — Cross-partisan dialogue workshops
- Living Room Conversations — Structured dialogue guides
- More in Common — Research on polarization and common ground
Our Standards
- We cite our sources. Major claims link to underlying research or authoritative organizations.
- We distinguish fact from opinion. When presenting analysis or recommendations, we make clear they're based on research, not just our views.
- We correct errors. If you find something inaccurate, please contact us.
- We don't give legal advice. This is educational information. Consult an attorney for specific legal questions.
- We update regularly. Laws, situations, and best practices change. We review and update content to stay current.