If it is shocking to say it now, abortion is normal, it is because the climate in which we live has made women's right to determine pregnancy a sin...and the doctors who help them called murderers...because we live in a time when others stand outside clinics and jeer at women who want to end a pregnancy.  Because some believe a fetus is an intact human being, and has more right to live than a woman. If you believe that, if you believe the rights of the fetus are greater than that of a female human being, there is no way to argue....in the last decades that argument has only gained ground...and now there is a strong move even to legislate against birth control pills... - Lynn Tillman

D4D presented new works by Richard Prince, Paul Chan and Rashid Johnson, as well as original and limited edition works by Katherine Bernhardt, Marilyn Minter, Cecily Brown, Guy Richards-Smit, and Jonathan Horowitz. We sold out of a few editions and made lots of new friends.

*Many thanks to Marian Goodman Gallery and to the artists and friends who continue to support our work!

Art fairs like NADA and Independent offer Downtown for Democracy a unique opportunity for creative activism—lending a platform to share its message and optimize fundraising efforts over the course of a few short days. In a demonstration of solidarity, fairs, artists and gallerists have banded together with Downtown for Democracy to educate fairgoers about what’s at stake in the upcoming midterm elections on November 6, 2018.

NADA, NY CULTURAL PARTNER
MARCH 8-11

In the second collaboration with NADA as a cultural partner, Downtown for Democracy  showcased a site-specific installation and merchandise by Marlene McCarty and limited edition artworks by Cecily Brown, Jonathan Horowitz, Arlene Schechet and Guy Richards Smit.

NADA PRESENTS
March 8

As part of our ongoing partnership with Mwenso & the Shakes, Downtown for Democracy  hosted a live performance in collaboration with NADA presents.  The partnership expands this summer as Mwenso & the Shakes go on tour with their powerful songs of inspiration, resistance and perseverance. Hailed by the New York Times as “intense, prowling and ebullient,” the Shakes are led by frontman, singer and ringleader, Michael Mwenso. Drawing inspiration from classic jazz big bands, Muddy Waters, Fats Waller, James Brown and many other African and Afro American musical legends, Mwenso & The Shakes pack a fierce jazz and blues punch.

THE INDEPENDENT ART FAIR
March 10-11th

THE MODERN INSTITUTE hosted Downtown for Democracy at the Independent art fair, March 10-11, with an installation of politically charged limited editions, original artwork and merchandise by Katherine Bernhardt, Mel Bochner, Cecily Brown, Jonathan Horowitz, Marlene McCarty, Marilyn Minter, Arlene Schechet and Stanley Whitney. Volunteers ran the booth raising awareness about D4D and the  Funds raised will be spent strategically in key US districts to get out the progressive vote in the 2018!

As one of NADA's Cultural partners, D4D set up an installation of D4D editions by Cecily Brown, Jonathan Horowitz, Marilyn Minter & Guy Richards Smit.

D4D joined Two Palms in their booth at the Fine Art Print Fair at the Javits Center from October 25-29, raising significant funds from the sale of D4D editions by Marilyn Minter, Jonathan Horowitz and Cecily Brown. D4D thanks the artists who generously gave their art, as well as Evelyn and David Lasry for sharing their booth. 

D4D manned voter registration and information booths aiming to increase voter turnout for the November 7, 2017 NY City & State elections and ballot proposals

The VINTAGE FOR VOTERS event on August 10, 2017, raised significant funds to support D4D voter registration efforts both locally and nationally. We had a great time and signed up many new volunteers. D4D thanks advisory committee member, Rachel Comey, who hosted the event, and Christene Barberich, Stacy London & Arden Wohl for their inspiration, hard work and deep generosity in putting their vintage collections to work to promote voter participation for 2017 and 2018.

Downtown for Democracy Relaunch Party....