2025 World Justice Forum — Standing Up for Democracy, Globally and Locally

Last month, our Executive Director Melissa Price Kromm traveled to Poland to represent North Carolina at the 2025 World Justice Forum. The convening brought together democracy defenders from over 100 countries to face a hard truth: authoritarianism is on the rise — and it’s coordinated.

Melissa didn’t just attend — she returned with a blueprint for action.

From political interference in the judiciary to media suppression and voter intimidation, the signs are all too familiar. But so are the solutions.

At NC For The People Action, we’re turning these lessons into action:

• Power-Building: We're strengthening our statewide grassroots and grasstops coalitions — including organizers, movement lawyers, and elected officials — to resist attacks on our democracy.

• Forward-Looking Vision: North Carolinians are tired of status quo politics. We’re crafting a bold vision that ties everyday concerns — jobs, housing, healthcare — to systemic reform.

• Digital Defense: We're expanding our digital justice advocacy, demanding accountability from tech giants enabling disinformation and political manipulation.

• Strategic Litigation & Electoral Defense: Our fight for judicial independence continues through litigation, public pressure, and voter mobilization around critical court elections.

This was more than a trip abroad. It was a sharpening of our tools and our resolve. Democracy is under attack — but courage is contagious.

We are not alone.

Join us in building a democracy worthy of the people: NCForThePeopleAction.org

Read Melissa’s full reflection via the Proteus Fund Lessons from the 2025 World Justice Forum