On February 17, 2025, Presidents Day, #unifyUSA launched a bold campaign to Refresh the Constitution—powered by everyday people through Citizens’ Assemblies.
That means a new U.S. Constitution, voted on by the public and ready for ratification by the states, by the end of next year. It’s ambitious, but we believe it can be done. More importantly, we believe it has to be done.
Citizens’ Assemblies bring Americans from all walks of life together—randomly selected, diverse, and nonpartisan—to tackle big issues and shape the future of the United States. These assemblies culminate in a National Citizens’ Assembly to craft a refreshed Constitution that truly represents us all. Click to learn more about how they work.
Around the world, Citizens’ Assemblies have solved seemingly impossible issues. In Ireland, they broke decades-long deadlocks on abortion and same-sex marriage, leading to historic constitutional reforms. In France, they tackled climate policy and end-of-life care. In Germany, they reimagined national food policy. East Belgium created a permanent Citizens’ Council, giving everyday people an ongoing voice in national legislation. Scotland and the city of Paris have both embraced assemblies as a tool for deeper democratic engagement. And in Iceland, following the 2008 financial collapse, more than a thousand randomly-selected citizens gathered to imagine a new constitution from the ground up, crowdsourcing ideas and drafting reforms in response to a shattered political system.
#unifyUSA isn’t just a movement—it’s a mission to restore power to We the People. A chance to break free from gridlock, to move beyond the noise, and to finally create a government that works for us, not against us.
This isn’t just another political debate. It’s a call to action. It’s a Second American Revolution—this time peaceful, bold, and powered by all Americans.
No campaigns. No lobbyists. No billionaires. Just a group of everyday Americans—chosen by lottery—coming together to solve real problems. Nurses. Teachers. Truck drivers. Students. People like you.
Compare that to Congress, where half the members are millionaires. That’s not democracy. That’s elite control.
Citizens’ Assemblies flip the script. No re-election pressure. No party bosses. No soundbites. Just thoughtful, fact-based decisions made in service of the common good.
But how does it actually work? Click below to begin a four-part overview. It should take you no more than 10 minutes to complete.
Renew to Thrive is a growing community of civic leaders and organizations from across the United States, united by a hopeful conviction: that we can collaborate to renew American democracy so that all of us can thrive together. We come together across issues, sectors, and movements to share what we’re learning, engage in collective problem-solving, and take action toward our shared vision.
#unifyUSA is a project of the Mediators Foundation.
Dr. Paul Zeitz is a preventive medicine physician, epidemiologist, ordained Song of Songs Rabbi, author, democracy activist, and founder of #unifyUSA. Paul serves as co-coordinator of the Renew American Democracy (RAD) enterprise which uses cohesion organizing to build cross-partisan power to enact democratic innovation, structural transformation and renewal.
Ro Tucci Rosarie Tucci recently served at the U.S. Agency for International Development in senior executive roles in the Conflict Prevention Bureau and the Center for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance. She is currently the Vice President, Citizen Engagement for IssueOne
Danielle Reiff is a former diplomat with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), who for 20 years advanced democracy, human rights, and peacebuilding initiatives worldwide and now prioritizes deliberative democracy and peace in the U.S. and around the world. Danielle serves as co-coordinator of the Renew American Democracy (RAD) enterprise which uses cohesion organizing to build cross-partisan power to enact democratic innovation, structural transformation and renewal.
Vinay Orekondy is an attorney, mediator, community organizer, advocate, coalition-builder and founder of advocacy startups with over seventeen years of international movement-building experience. He is currently works with the Mediator’s Foundation and Better Together America to strengthen civic infrasture to renew American democracy.
