Developed by Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin, Democracy Summer is dedicated to training the next generation of political activists, organizers, and leaders. In 2021, for the first time ever, Democracy Summer is expanding nationally in partnership with the DCCC and Pascrell for Congress.

As a part of this initiative, we’re looking for dedicated high school and college students to join our exciting campaign as Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. Fellows! Selected Fellows will participate in an exciting online seminar and curriculum designed by Congressman Raskin focused on the history of social and political change in America and the progress of political democracy, while simultaneously training as organizers and volunteer activists with our reelection campaign here in New Jersey.

The theme of this year’s academic seminar is “The Fight to Vote: Nonviolent Movements, Violent Reactions and the Continuing Struggle for Strong Democracy in America.”

Through the academic program, Fellows will learn from great activist heroes, both young and veteran political leaders, Democratic policy experts, and top political and community organizers across the country. Past Democracy Summer speakers have included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Civil Rights leaders Bob Moses and Rev. William J. Barber II, Prof. Laurence Tribe, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Rep. John Lewis, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and dozens of other luminaries of change and progress – including Bill Pascrell!

In our campaign, you will participate in key organizing events and learn to phone-bank, text-bank, use social media to organize and educate, canvass, door-knock (when approved by public health authorities), fundraise, sign-wave, register voters, run effective field programs, and build change in our country!

Additional information and the application for the Fellowship can be found here. The deadline to apply is May 14, 2021. If you know a student that may be interested in this life-changing program, please forward them this post — this is an opportunity they won’t want to miss!

Not a student, but excited about Democracy Summer? Support our participation in this inspiring program and our efforts to galvanize a new generation of Democratic political organizers and leaders by donating to Pascrell for Congress here.

We are in the struggle of our political lives to defend democracy and voting rights. Join us! 

To learn more and compete to become a 2021 Democracy Summer Fellow with Pascrell for Congress, please apply here.  Applications are due on Friday, May 14. 

Questions about participating in 2021 Democracy Summer can be directed to Team Pascrell at [email protected]