On August 15th, three of our non-profit leaders attended the World Humanist Congress in Ottawa, Canada—an annual forum of activists, scholars, and officials that defines the collective strategy of the secular movement.

This year’s Congress addressed an existential question: how do we move forward in an increasingly authoritarian world?

The event kicked off with a presentation by renowned philosopher Rebecca Goldstein, followed by panels on organizing against Christian nationalism and democratic erosion world-wide.

Our Executive Director, Evan Clark, joined panelists from the U.S., Lithuania, and Nepal about community as a form of resistance. In it, a visibly emotional Evan illustrated what it was like standing up for immigrants in our community during the National Guard’s takeover of L.A. in June 2025.

Building international bridges

We were surprised to find many of our international colleagues did not have a clear understanding of the dangers minorities face in the U.S. They knew of our immigration crackdown, for example, but didn’t understand its full scope—that masked paramilitary troops have put tens of thousands of our neighbors in private prisons, for alleged infractions treated as small administrative violations in other countries. They did not know ICE has a larger budget than most countries’ militaries. Many didn’t even know what a police “flash bang grenade” was before Evan described facing them at L.A. protests.

One attendee was even initially skeptical that U.S. groups should attend, having conflated all Americans with support for MAGA. This colleague was surprised to find that at least 88% of atheists in the US oppose MAGA policy—rates higher than any other belief group.

Evan won over our new friend by explaining on stage the five ways Atheists United has restructured to address the Trump administration:

OUR FIVE WAYS TO RESIST

1. Create space for activists to organize, recharge, and find joy.

Our members are some of LA’s leading activists, but they're also human. They need safe, secular spaces where they can let their hair down and sing or dress up for a Halloween party. This also gives organizers a unique place to network and connect our community to actions across California.

2. Never fight alone.

There is a famous saying in organizing; “If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.” Since Trump was re-elected, we have joined interfaith and nonpartisan coalitions to fight climate change,child marriage, school privatization, andreligious supremacy. Together we are stronger.

3. Leverage storytelling and counter-messaging.

The only way to fight the flood of misinformation attacking our society is to amplify the truth. We have committed to doubling our media and communication efforts and speaking truth to power.

Dr. Kristina Lee speaks about mobilizing atheists for change at an Atheists United event

4. Decentralize.

The Trump administration is now attacking non-profits and accusing his opponents of being domestic terrorists. We can't pretend we won't eventually become targets. By decentralizing our community, we guarantee the work of Atheists United continues no matter what happens to our nonprofit status, bank account, or staff. Even if we have to go underground, we guarantee our impact will continue. (Make sure to join or start a local chapter!)

*Atheists United local chapter members before marching in a 4th of July parade*

5. Survival is resistance.

We must remember that our very survival is a form of resistance. We’re investing more than ever in disaster mutual aid, scholarships, expanding our food distributions, and directly supporting our most vulnerable members. No matter how tough things get, we must be there for each other.

*Atheists United members among the crowd at a No Kings protest*

REFUELING OUR ADVOCACY FUND

Next year we’re planning to attend at least three national events about separation of church and state, visit Sacramento to lobby for reproductive freedom and climate change legislation, and, if possible, attend the next World Humanist Congress in Lima, Peru. We also want to expand our Food Distribution and launch a podcast to amplify our members’ advocacy work.

We’re nearing the end of a campaign to replenish our travel budget and expand our advocacy work for 2027. If we can hit our goal of $5,000, we can keep being the most active and innovative atheist non-profit in California.

Can you donate $20 or $200 today?

All donations are being doubled by a generous matching donor until the end of summer.

People like this give us hope.

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Building an international resistance