
Protect the Vote — or Step Aside?
Clip: 7/7/2026 | 2m 18sVideo has Closed Captions
Would you risk arrest to protect the democratic process? A tense, hypothetical showdown over protest
Would you risk arrest to protect the democratic process? A hypothetical scenario sparks a tense showdown revealing deep divides over protest, principle and just how far people will go to defend the vote.
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Funding for this program was provided in part by grants from The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation and by a grant from Anne Ray Foundation and by contributions from viewers like you. Thank you. Location furnished by The New York Historical.

Protect the Vote — or Step Aside?
Clip: 7/7/2026 | 2m 18sVideo has Closed Captions
Would you risk arrest to protect the democratic process? A hypothetical scenario sparks a tense showdown revealing deep divides over protest, principle and just how far people will go to defend the vote.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipYou realize as you're driving to this counting facility, you're gonna pass by Dan's house.
Would you knock on his door and see if he'd join you in this hard decision?
A citizen effort to make sure Bigton's votes can be cast?
You gonna let me in this time?
Yeah.
You can come in.
Dan, are you coming with me?
Wait, the question was, would you even bother asking me, Oh, I'm here.
Knock, knock, knock.
Knowing and knowing our history.
No, I mean, you couldn't be, we just couldn't be more opposite personalities in the activist and the, you know, somebody.
What Church is this that we're going to by The big church?
The big church.
I dunno what preacher is preaching to both of Us.
It's the same way.
That's the wonderful thing about church and eternal moral frameworks.
But I see zero positive outcomes coming from the activism of of literally impeding federal law enforcement.
Okay.
Written final word.
That's not gonna get me anywhere.
Okay.
If we're talking about standing quietly around a building to make sure that nobody comes in to impede the act of democracy, one of the most sacred acts of democracy that there is, just let me finish.
I just saw a contradiction in the sentence.
Just Let me Peacefully, but ready to impede.
Which one is it?
Standing outside of a building ready to be arrested?
Should someone come with a search warrant to impede the most central act of democracy, to me feels like one of the most moral acts of American citizen could make.
So the idea that the institutions are going to hold up is simply something that we can't all count on.
And I ask you, what is wrong with standing next to somebody that you're willing to share a pew with and potentially get arrested to make sure that everyone has a voice Simply because your, your actions will not have the outcome you think they will.
Dan does not get in the car, it sounds like.
You could pick up another friend, Melissa Murray.
Melissa, would you join Brittany, a year of jail potentially on the line?
It was letter from a Birmingham jail, not letter from a Birmingham four season.
So yes.
(Hello!)
I would ride with you, My sister!
Breaking the Deadlock: How to Fix an Election — Open
Video has Closed Captions
Panelists face a dramatic hypothetical scenario against the backdrop of America’s 250th anniversary. (56s)
How to Fix an Election: Preview
Video has Closed Captions
Nine voices, one election crisis. How far would you go to defend democracy? (30s)
A Republic — If We Can Keep It
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How can democracy last 250 more years? The Deadlock panel wrestles with the question. (3m 36s)
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Funding for this program was provided in part by grants from The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation and by a grant from Anne Ray Foundation and by contributions from viewers like you. Thank you. Location furnished by The New York Historical.


