Timothy Snyder on Building Freedom, Resisting Tyranny, and Defending Democracy

Timothy Snyder on Building Freedom, Resisting Tyranny, and Defending Democracy

Indivisible Charlotte hosts a webinar discussion with historian Timothy Snyder about his book On Freedom, contrasting “negative freedom” (freedom as removing barriers or acting on impulse) with “positive freedom” (collectively building social and political conditions—like education, healthcare, and solidarity—that enable dignified lives and moral self-creation). Snyder explains the book as an answer to what resistance to tyranny is for, arguing that imagining a future is essential and that “futurelessness” functions as a governing strategy benefiting oligarchs. The conversation links these ideas to current events: “superpower suicide,” the Supreme Court’s weakening of the Voting Rights Act, organizing and messaging for voters, possible pre-election “stunts” such as war, religious claims, or manufactured terrorism, and concerns about ICE and military politicization. Snyder cites anti-corruption coalitions and the protest–election connection in Poland and Hungary as lessons for U.S. democracy. 00:00 Welcome and Setup 01:15 Meet Timothy Snyder 03:55 Why Write On Freedom 06:24 Negative vs Positive Freedom 08:59 Freedom as Moral Project 10:14 Superpower Suicide Explained 13:05 Canvassing Freedom Policies 15:40 Reclaiming a Future 20:22 Politics of Eternity 21:34 Voting Rights Act Fallout 24:46 Mobilizing for Midterms 26:13 Next Coup Attempt Stunts 29:16 Hungary Terrorism Stunt 30:50 Defanging Fear Tactics 32:39 ICE Intimidation Scenarios 34:44 Poland Hungary Winning Playbook 38:42 Protests Power Elections 40:47 Winning Big Then Act 41:49 Ukraine Trump Putin Lens 46:57 Math Literacy And Power 49:16 National History Curriculum Debate 51:23 Military Purges Coup Fears 56:10 Closing Call To Organize Please subscribe to our Indivisible CLT Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd0SyycCig3wiTxbqv_7JX9ExcM813TKi] and Substack [https://indivisibleclt.substack.com/podcast]! This podcast episode is also available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NstAjO-wvOs]! 📚 Books by Timothy Snyder * “On Freedom” [https://timothysnyder.org/on-freedom] by Timothy Snyder * “On Tyranny” [https://timothysnyder.org/on-tyranny] by Timothy Snyder * “Thinking the Twentieth Century” [https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Twentieth-Century-Tony-Judt/dp/0143123041] by Tony Judt with Timothy Snyder 📝 Other Works by Timothy Snyder * Substack essay: “The Next Coup Attempt and How to Stop It” [https://snyder.substack.com/p/the-next-coup-attempt] * Timothy Snyder’s Substack: snyder.substack.com [https://snyder.substack.com] 🏛️ Organizations & Platforms Referenced * Indivisible Charlotte [https://indivisibleclt.org] * Mobilize [https://www.mobilize.us] (for upcoming Indivisible events) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indivisibleclt.substack.com [https://indivisibleclt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Operation Charlotte's Web: Community Leaders on the 2025 Immigration Enforcement Surge

Indivisible Charlotte’s In the Know Live, hosted by Freda Zeh and Wes Fryer, features a recorded panel with community leaders Rachel Salo (Indivisible Charlotte [https://indivisibleclt.org/]), Hector Vaca (Action NC [https://actionnc.org/]), Stefanía Arteaga (Carolina Migrant Network [https://carolinamigrantnetwork.org/]), and Marcelle Vielot (Charlotte Metrolina Labor Council [https://aflcionc.org/cmlc]) on the November 2025 immigration enforcement surge in Charlotte, dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web.” Panelists describe the operation as a targeted campaign of fear by CBP, discuss why Charlotte was selected, and explain distinctions between CBP and ICE. They outline coalition organizing through the Charlotte Immigrant Protection Alliance, including verifier networks, live alerts to 70,000 people, street patrols, school watches, mutual aid, Know Your Rights trainings, protests, and pressure on local officials. They address workplace disruptions, limited legal protections and capacity, ongoing documentation of civil rights violations, upcoming May Day organizing, lessons about impacted-community leadership, cross-movement solidarity, and the importance of self-care. 00:00 Welcome and Format 01:00 Meet the Panelists 02:39 Why Charlotte Was Targeted 05:32 Community Pushback Wins 06:33 Under Siege and Alerts 09:51 Coalition Mobilizes Fast 12:44 ICE vs CBP Explained 18:09 Action NC Organizing Playbook 22:47 Labor Impacts at Worksites 29:00 Legal System Failures 31:05 Legal Aid Hit Hard 32:06 State Response Gaps 33:58 Intakes Surge Fast 35:36 Coalition Coordination 41:36 Lessons From Hector 45:12 Economic Impact Question 46:39 May Day Mobilization 48:21 Labor Lessons And Story 55:22 Community Unity And Joy 58:15 Self Care To Sustain 59:33 Closing Thanks And Links This podcast is also available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkvkQzyycyQ]: Show notes / referenced links: * Indivisible Charlotte [https://indivisibleclt.org] * Indivisible CLT Substack [https://indivisibleclt.substack.com] (podcast & newsletter) * Indivisible CLT Podcast on Substack https://indivisibleclt.substack.com/podcast * Indivisible CLT Podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/3cDE0rWuSBnH1jLFnUyN47] * Indivisible CLT Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd0SyycCig3wiTxbqv_7JX9ExcM813TKi] * Indivisible CLT Podcast on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/indivisible-clt-podcast/id1847699314] * Action NC [https://www.actionnc.org] * Carolina Migrant Network [https://carolinamigrantnetwork.org] * Charlotte Metrolina Labor Council [https://aflcionc.org/cmlc] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indivisibleclt.substack.com [https://indivisibleclt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Great Replacement Theory and the “Chain of Humanity” - Resisting Authoritarianism

Speaking at the No Kings 3 Rally and Protest in Charlotte after traveling from Houston, Ibram X. Kendi describes encountering ICE agents at the airport and reflects on how many Americans still support authoritarian measures. Citing survey results showing significant openness to dictatorship and expanded power for Trump, they argue that the strongest predictor of today’s anti-democratic attitudes is belief in Great Replacement Theory—the idea that progressive elites are enabling people of color to “replace” white people, requiring authoritarian protection. Drawing on an 1767 warning about rulers binding people by “the chain of their own ideas,” the speaker links modern Trumpism to racist and xenophobic beliefs and traces the term’s popularization by French writer Renaud Camus. They conclude by urging a shift from the “chain of ideas” to a “chain of humanity” to defeat oligarchs and authoritarians and build an anti-racist democracy. 00:00 Welcome to Charlotte 00:44 Airport Chaos and ICE 02:58 Why People Choose Kings 04:28 Great Replacement Explained 06:33 Meritocracy and Obedience 08:26 Chains of Ideas Story 10:55 Origins in France 13:51 Trump and Replacement Politics 16:27 Breaking the Chain 17:43 Chain of Humanity Finale Learn more about all our coalition partners for No Kings 3 in Charlotte on nokingsCLT.com [https://nokingsclt.com]. Learn more about Indivisible Charlotte and join our work on indivisibleCLT.org [https://indivisibleclt.org] This video is also available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSF1ebkzb6Y] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AjpFNiLbv/]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indivisibleclt.substack.com [https://indivisibleclt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep 5 "Giving Up is Unforgivable" with Joyce Vance

Watch and listen to this recording of Indivisible Charlotte's 'In the Know Live' webinar from February 3, 2026 over Zoom, featuring Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney and esteemed legal expert on criminal justice and civil rights. In this engaging discussion with members of our Research Team, Vance discusses her book, 'Giving Up is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping Democracy,' which provides essential guidance for defending democratic principles. The conversation explores critical issues including the health of the DOJ, voter suppression tactics, and the importance of civic engagement, particularly among younger generations. Vance shares insights into the importance of due process, free and fair elections, and how community activism plays a pivotal role in maintaining democratic integrity. This enlightening conversation empowers citizens to participate actively and intelligently in their democracy. To learn more about Indivisible Charlotte and participate in future live events, visit www.indivisibleclt.org [http://www.indivisibleclt.org]. Please subscribe to our podcast on Substack [https://indivisibleclt.substack.com/podcast], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd0SyycCig3wiTxbqv_7JX9ExcM813TKi], or wherever you listen to podcasts. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:45 Housekeeping Notes and Program Format 02:56 Introducing Joyce Vance 05:32 Joyce Vance on Writing Her Book 09:43 The Importance of Civic Engagement 18:50 Challenges Facing the DOJ 22:55 Engaging the Younger Generation 29:45 Protests in Maine and Youth Involvement 31:11 Trump’s Midterm Election Controversy 33:04 Ensuring Free and Fair Elections 35:05 Voter Suppression Tactics 39:43 The SAVE Act and Its Implications 41:57 Trump’s Legal Tactics and Lawfare 46:32 Supreme Court and Judicial Concerns 50:05 Epstein Documents and Victim Protection 54:14 Personal Resilience and Closing Remarks Connect with us and join our work at Indivisible CLT! [https://indivisibleclt.org] This podcast episode is also available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rapkcCdYeXM]. Subscribe to and share our podcast on both YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd0SyycCig3wiTxbqv_7JX9ExcM813TKi] and Substack [https://indivisibleclt.substack.com/podcast]. Also find links on our main website, indivisibleclt.org/podcast [https://indivisibleclt.org/podcast]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indivisibleclt.substack.com [https://indivisibleclt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep 04: Voter Suppression and Redistricting in NC with Bob Phillips and Tyler Daye (Part 2)

In this PART 2 episode of Indivisible Charlotte [https://indivisibleclt.org]’s ‘In the Know Live’ podcast, members of our Research Team continue the conversation on voter suppression with Bob Phillips and Tyler Daye from Common Cause, North Carolina [https://www.commoncause.org/north-carolina/]. They discuss the Fair Maps Act (HB 20) and independent redistricting commissions, potential midterm election interference, and the importance of safeguarding democracy. The episode includes reflections from Bob Phillips as he retires after 25 years of service and insights into mobilizing against voter intimidation. Join the conversation to learn more about defending electoral integrity and the future of American democracy. Don’t forget to subscribe to our Substack [https://indivisibleclt.substack.com] for updates on our other podcasts, subscribe to us on YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts! 00:00 Introduction to Indivisible Charlotte and Voter Suppression 01:07 Independent Redistricting Commissions Explained 06:23 Challenges and Realities of Passing Redistricting Reform 12:23 Potential Midterm Election Interference 17:20 Common Cause’s Election Protection Efforts 23:40 Reflections and Future Hopes for Democracy 28:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts If you have not already, please view PART 1 of this conversation on Substack [https://indivisibleclt.substack.com/p/ep-03-voter-suppression-and-redistricting] or YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9d1LyFAIi0]. Learn more and support the non-partisan organization, Common Cause North Carolina [https://www.commoncause.org/north-carolina/].Connect with us and join our work at Indivisible CLT [https://indivisibleclt.org]! This podcast episode is also available on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvHglNWV2E4], and wherever you listen to podcasts! Check back soon for the second part of this two part podcast series. Subscribe to and share our podcast on both YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd0SyycCig3wiTxbqv_7JX9ExcM813TKi] and Substack [https://indivisibleclt.substack.com/podcast]:All our past podcasts are archived on: indivisibleclt.org/podcast [https://indivisibleclt.org/podcast]. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit indivisibleclt.substack.com [https://indivisibleclt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]