Right To Democracy

Directions Website Contact the organization

Right To Democracy Building a movement to dismantle the undemocratic colonial framework that governs the people in U.S.

Fortress GuamThe Pentagon is pouring billions into turning Guam into a fortress against China. The people of Guam have h...
10/05/2026

Fortress Guam

The Pentagon is pouring billions into turning Guam into a fortress against China. The people of Guam have had little say in any of it.

In the second part to their “Pesticide Papers” article, Hugo Hodge documents what the buildup is costing the island and the environmental promises the military has failed to keep.

On October 7, the Supreme Court will hear Prutehi Guåhan's case challenging the Air Force's refusal to conduct a full environmental review of its open-detonation practice. Guam is not a sacrifice zone. Decisions that reshape the land, water, and future of the island should not be made without the consent of the people who call it home.

***

El Pentágono está invirtiendo miles de millones de dólares para convertir a Guam en una fortaleza contra China. Las comunidades en Guam casi no han tenido participación ni voz en estas decisiones.

En la segunda parte de su artículo, “Pesticides Papers”, Hugo Hodge documenta lo que el despliegue militar le está costando a la isla y las promesas ambientales que el ejército estadounidense no ha cumplido.

El 7 de octubre, el Tribunal Supremo escuchará el caso de Prutehi Guåhan que desafía a la Fuerza Aérea a realizar una revisión ambiental completa de su práctica de detonación al aire libre. Guam no debe ser una “zona de sacrificio”. Las decisiones que remodelan la tierra, el agua y el futuro de la isla no deben tomarse sin el consentimiento de las personas que la consideran su hogar.

📰 Read/Lee: https://thewarhorse.org/guam-military-buildup-environment/

🎗️ Support Event/Evento de Apoyo (Oct. 7): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cross-territorial-indigenous-solidarity-at-us-supreme-court-tickets-2000900650709

🔗 More in bio! / ¡Más en nuestro perfíl!

In September 2025, families in Yigo, Guam, learned that their drinking water contained unsafe levels of dieldrin, a pest...
10/02/2026

In September 2025, families in Yigo, Guam, learned that their drinking water contained unsafe levels of dieldrin, a pesticide banned in the U.S. for decades. Officials had known about the contamination for nearly two years before warning residents.

In his new article for The War Horse, in partnership with The Margin, Hugo Hodge reveals previously unreleased military records showing pesticide contamination beneath housing at Andersen Air Force Base, just steps from the contaminated well. Former base residents and Yigo families are left wondering what years of exposure may have done to their health.

The people of Guam deserve the truth about what's in their water, and accountability from whoever is responsible, including the military. No community should have to wonder whether brushing their teeth has put their health at risk.

***

En septiembre de 2025, familias de Yigo, Guam, se enteraron de que su agua potable contiene niveles peligrosos de dieldrín, un pesticida prohibido en Estados Unidos desde hace décadas. Las autoridades sabían de la contaminación desde hacía casi dos años antes de alertar a los residentes.

En un nuevo reportaje para The War Horse en colaboración con The Margin, Hugo Hodge revela documentos militares inéditos que muestran contaminación por pesticidas debajo de las viviendas de la Base Aérea Andersen. Antiguos residentes de la base y familias de Yigo se preguntan qué efectos pudieron tener años de exposición en su salud.

Las comunidades de Guam merecen saber la verdad sobre su agua y que se exijan cuentas a los responsables, incluyendo al ejército. Ninguna comunidad debería preguntarse si cepillarse los dientes ha puesto en riesgo su salud.

📰 Read/Lee: https://thewarhorse.org/guam-military-pesticide-contamination/

🎗️ Support Event/Evento de Apoyo (Oct. 7): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cross-territorial-indigenous-solidarity-at-us-supreme-court-tickets-2000900650709

🔗 More in bio! / ¡Más en nuestro perfíl!

RSVP TODAY!Stand in Cross-Territorial Indigenous Solidarity at the U.S. Supreme Court!🏛️🪶On Wednesday, October 7, the Su...
09/30/2026

RSVP TODAY!

Stand in Cross-Territorial Indigenous Solidarity at the U.S. Supreme Court!

🏛️🪶On Wednesday, October 7, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Department of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guåhan: a landmark case with major implications for environmental review, Indigenous rights, and democratic accountability across all U.S. territories.

📍 WHERE: Front public sidewalk at the Supreme Court of the United States

⏰ WHEN: 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM & 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ET

We invite Indigenous people, community organizations, advocacy groups, and allies to stand in solidarity with the U.S. territories in the fight to protect ancestral lands, oceans, and resources from unilateral federal action.

🎟️ REGISTER TO ATTEND: Head to the link below or in our bio to register for the direct action Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cross-territorial-indigenous-solidarity-at-us-supreme-court-tickets-2000900650709

📲 CAN’T MAKE IT TO D.C.? You can still take action! download our Social Media Toolkit at the same link above. Help us flood the feed by sharing our graphics, messaging guidance, and key takeaways from Right to Democracy’s amicus brief.

***

🏛️🪶 El miércoles 7 de octubre, el Tribunal Supremo escuchará los argumentos en Dept of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guåhan. Este caso histórico podría tener importantes consecuencias para la evaluación ambiental, los derechos de los pueblos indígenas y la rendición de cuentas del gobierno federal en todos los territorios de EE.UU.

📍 DÓNDE: frente al Tribunal Supremo de EE.UU.

⏰ CUÁNDO: De 8:30 a 10:00 a. m. y de 11:30 a. m. a 1:00 p. m. EST

🎟️ Regístrate en el enlace arriba o en el enlace en nuestro perfil

Invitamos a los pueblos indígenas, las organizaciones comunitarias, los grupos de defensa y todas las personas aliadas a unirse en solidaridad con los territorios para proteger las tierras ancestrales, los océanos y los recursos naturales frente a decisiones unilaterales del gobierno federal.

📲 ¿NO PUEDES IR A WASHINGTON, D. C.? ¡También puedes participar! Descarga los materiales para redes sociales desde el enlace de nuestro perfil. Ayúdanos a llenar las redes con nuestras imágenes y mensajes.

What does the Supreme Court’s recent birthright-citizenship decision mean for people born in the U.S. Virgin Islands—and...
09/24/2026

What does the Supreme Court’s recent birthright-citizenship decision mean for people born in the U.S. Virgin Islands—and what could recent federal actions and proposals mean for Territory communities?

Join Right to Democracy for a series of community dialogues in St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. Together, we’ll discuss Trump v. Barbara, citizenship and federal power in the U.S. territories, and the questions these developments raise for the people of the Virgin Islands.

Most importantly, we want to hear from you. Bring your questions, concerns, and ideas and join the conversation.

📍 ST. THOMAS
Friday, September 25 | 9:30–11:00 a.m.
Windward Passage Hotel
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/st-thomas-community-dialogue-on-citizenship-and-federal-power-tickets-2001641885763?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

📍 ST. JOHN
Saturday, September 26 | 3:00–4:30 p.m.
Gifft Hill School (Lower Campus, Great Room)
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/st-john-community-dialogue-on-citizenship-and-federal-power-tickets-2001641966003?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

📍 ST. CROIX
Sunday, September 27 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
The Meeting Space at Computer Solutions VI
Five Corners Plaza, next to the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/st-croix-community-dialogue-on-citizenship-and-federal-power-tickets-2001642036213?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Register through the Eventbrite links here, the links in our bio, or email [email protected].

CALL TO ACTION: Stand in Cross-Territorial Indigenous Solidarity at the U.S. Supreme Court! 🏛️🪶On Wednesday, October 7, ...
09/24/2026

CALL TO ACTION: Stand in Cross-Territorial Indigenous Solidarity at the U.S. Supreme Court!

🏛️🪶On Wednesday, October 7, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Department of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guåhan: a landmark case with major implications for environmental review, Indigenous rights, and democratic accountability across all U.S. territories.

📍 WHERE: Front public sidewalk at the Supreme Court of the United States

⏰ WHEN: 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM & 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM ET

We invite Indigenous people, community organizations, advocacy groups, and allies to stand in solidarity with the U.S. territories in the fight to protect ancestral lands, oceans, and resources from unilateral federal action.

🎟️ REGISTER TO ATTEND: Head to the link below or in our bio to register for the direct action Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cross-territorial-indigenous-solidarity-at-us-supreme-court-tickets-2000900650709

📲 CAN’T MAKE IT TO D.C.? You can still take action! download our Social Media Toolkit at the same link above. Help us flood the feed by sharing our graphics, messaging guidance, and key takeaways from Right to Democracy’s amicus brief.

***

🏛️🪶 El miércoles 7 de octubre, el Tribunal Supremo escuchará los argumentos en Department of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guåhan. Este caso histórico podría tener importantes consecuencias para la evaluación ambiental, los derechos de los pueblos indígenas y la rendición de cuentas del gobierno federal en todos los territorios de EE.UU.

📍 DÓNDE: frente al Tribunal Supremo de EE.UU.

⏰ CUÁNDO: De 8:30 a 10:00 a. m. y de 11:30 a. m. a 1:00 p. m. EST

🎟️ Regístrate en el enlace arriba o en el enlace en nuestro perfil

Invitamos a los pueblos indígenas, las organizaciones comunitarias, los grupos de defensa y todas las personas aliadas a unirse en solidaridad con los territorios para proteger las tierras ancestrales, los océanos y los recursos naturales frente a decisiones unilaterales del gobierno federal.

📲 ¿NO PUEDES IR A WASHINGTON, D. C.? ¡También puedes participar! Descarga los materiales para redes sociales desde el enlace de nuestro perfil. Ayúdanos a llenar las redes con nuestras imágenes y mensajes.

What does the Supreme Court’s recent birthright-citizenship decision mean for people born in the U.S. Virgin Islands—and...
09/22/2026

What does the Supreme Court’s recent birthright-citizenship decision mean for people born in the U.S. Virgin Islands—and what could recent federal actions and proposals mean for Territory communities?

Join Right to Democracy for a series of community dialogues in St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. Together, we’ll discuss Trump v. Barbara, citizenship and federal power in the U.S. territories, and the questions these developments raise for the people of the Virgin Islands.
Most importantly, we want to hear from you. Bring your questions, concerns, and ideas and join the conversation.

📍 ST. THOMAS
Friday, September 25 | 9:30–11:00 a.m.
Windward Passage Hotel
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/st-thomas-community-dialogue-on-citizenship-and-federal-power-tickets-2001641885763?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

📍 ST. JOHN
Saturday, September 26 | 3:00–4:30 p.m.
Gifft Hill School
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/st-john-community-dialogue-on-citizenship-and-federal-power-tickets-2001641966003?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

📍 ST. CROIX
Sunday, September 27 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
The Meeting Space at Computer Solutions VI
Five Corners Plaza, next to the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center

Register through the Eventbrite links, at the link in our bio or email [email protected].

After nearly three years under the threat of felony convictions and up to a decade in prison, Tupe Smith, Michael Pese, ...
09/18/2026

After nearly three years under the threat of felony convictions and up to a decade in prison, Tupe Smith, Michael Pese, and their family members from American Samoa can finally breathe a little easier: Alaska prosecutors have dropped all charges against them.

In their new article for Bolts, Alex Burness documents the fear, financial strain, and lasting trauma the case inflicted on the family—including Miliama Suli, who died while still facing prosecution. Alaska officials themselves were confused about the status of people born in American Samoa, and public officials had instructed family members to identify themselves as U.S. citizens. Yet the state treated them as criminals for trying to participate in the community they call home.

The charges were dropped “without prejudice,” leaving the door open to future prosecution. This is a victory, but Tupe, Michael, and their family still deserve certainty, accountability, and an apology.

Read the full article: https://boltsmag.org/charges-dropped-against-american-samoans-punished-for-voting-in-alaska/

[Spanish Translation in the comments]

"One of the strengths of the U.S. federal system is that it allows for democratic experimentation at the state and local...
09/15/2026

"One of the strengths of the U.S. federal system is that it allows for democratic experimentation at the state and local levels. But that only works under a constitutional framework that ensures political accountability and the rule of law for everyone. U.S. territories offer a cautionary tale of what goes wrong when our constitutional framework is set aside and democracy shifts towards authoritarian rule. It is time for anyone serious about democracy, limited government, or self-determination to recognize that the colonial framework established by the Insular Cases is real, wrong, and needs to end now."

Read the full article here: https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/09/laboratories-of-undemocracy/

or at the link in our bio.

Our Co-Director Adi Martínez Román and Advisory Board Member Christina D. Ponsa-Kraus will serve as panelists at the His...
09/10/2026

Our Co-Director Adi Martínez Román and Advisory Board Member Christina D. Ponsa-Kraus will serve as panelists at the Hispanic National Bar Association's Annual Convention!

In the panel: "The U.S. turns 250: Territories and the Limits of American Democracy", they'll discuss how two and a half centuries after the U.S. Declaration of Independence proclaimed that a government’s "just powers" originate from the "consent of the governed," the United States now faces a profound contradiction: 3.6 million people living under its sovereignty remain subject to undemocratic territorial governance. The insidious nature of this colonial framework extends beyond the Territories themselves, influencing modern undemocratic practices such as interventions over other countries, efforts to restrict birthright citizenship for children of certain immigrant groups, lack of access to federal programs and the disenfranchisement of specific populations. During this panel, the experts will analyze the persistence of U.S. colonial rule, examine its legal foundations, and discuss why its various manifestations are increasingly significant in the current socio-legal landscape.

They'll be joined by Annette Martínez-Orabona, Executive Director of ACLU Puerto Rico, Luis Fuentes-Rohwer, Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs and Professor of Law at Indiana University's Maurer School of Law and Manuel del Valle, Adjunct Professor of Law at the Inter American University's School of Law.

Registro: capr.org/foros
09/10/2026

Registro: capr.org/foros

Address

1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, #190/413
Washington D.C., DC
20004

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Right To Democracy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Right To Democracy:

Shortcuts

Sponsored

Share

Category