You do not currently have permission to view the full text for this document. Please sign in to an account with an active subscription or contact support.
NOPE: Neighbors Defending Democracy is an all-volunteer group based in Washington, DC. Canvassing for Democratic candidates in battleground states, they approach voters with a respectful curiosity that seems related to the stance the analyst takes in practice. Surprisingly often, this leads to fruitful conversations across ideological, geographic, racial, and class-based divides. Debra Fried Levin, leader of NOPE, calls door-to-door canvassing “political therapy.” After Trump was elected, she says, “People were distraught. There was a sense of helplessness. Yelling at the television did nothing; we needed to turn our fears and frustration into action. At NOPE, we've learned that directing our worries into knocking on doors and talking to real people—getting outside our blue bubble—is effective, both politically and personally. It offers a sense of community and hope.”