Unite and Rise 8.5 

An Initiative to Defend Democracy

Unite and Rise 8.5, a powerful new, nationwide initiative launched by the League of Women Voters in May 2025, aims to build a movement of 8.5 million individuals to unite and rise up against the anti-democratic actions of this administration. This initiative is part of our Women Defend Democracy campaign, and will run until the 2026 midterm elections.

According to the University of Florida, if just 3.5% of the approximately 245 million eligible voters—that's 8,575,000 people—engage in nonviolent protests, we will bring about meaningful change.