Actor Mark Ruffalo, actress Sarah Jessica Parker, author Margaret Atwood, filmmaker Judd Apatow and several other public figures have joined historian Timothy Snyder in a July 4 video urging Americans to protect democracy. The project is based on Snyder’s 2017 book, On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century.

A message inspired by history

The video was released as the United States marked its 250th anniversary. At the same time, it features actors, activists, scholars, comedians and writers reading lessons from Snyder’s book.

Snyder wrote the book after examining what he described as “America’s turn toward authoritarianism” under President Donald Trump. In particular, he compared it with how democracies became dictatorships in 20th-century Europe.

Meanwhile, the release comes as Trump celebrates the nation’s anniversary with events that critics say place strong attention on his presidency.

Lessons on protecting democracy

Snyder’s book offers advice on resisting authoritarianism. For example, it encourages readers to “defend institutions” and “believe in truth.”

In addition, the video features Isabel Allende, Joan Baez, Sophia Bush, Misha Collins, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Ted Danson, Tony Goldwyn, Eric Holder, Jenifer Lewis, Leslie Odom Jr., Billy Porter, Maria Ressa, Lisa Rinna, Molly Ringwald, Sheryl Lee Ralph, J. Smith-Cameron, Holland Taylor, Viet Thanh Nguyen and Bradley Whitford.

According to the campaign, the project reminds Americans that democracy depends on citizens who are willing to protect it. As a result, the video encourages viewers to learn from history instead of repeating it.

Ruffalo shares his hope

Speaking about the project, Ruffalo said:

“I hope that after this very bad and corrupt time we are living through now, we move away from a government that caters to the wealthy and powerful and focuses on the needs, desires and dreams of the children and young people,” Ruffalo tells Variety. “That we live the promise of equality for all, and we close the wealth gap that leads to unrest, scapegoating and desperation. That we build a world based on peace and the well-being of the working class instead of war and the debasement of the masses, letting us cherish this beautiful planet and all its living systems and leave behind the colonial mindset of land theft, extractive economies, domination and materialism; embrace the Indigenous wisdom and worldview of circular economies, respect for all things and beings as our relatives and therefore worthy of our care and thoughtfulness. Keep America moving toward its great promise and not the measly mistakes and cruelty of its past.”

Parker ends with a call to action

Finally, the video ends with narration from Sarah Jessica Parker. She concludes with a message about protecting freedom and shaping the country’s future.

“The lesson of America is not that freedom was given. It is that freedom was defended. Again and again. By people who refused to give up on one another. The next 250 years begin now. What happens next is not inevitable. It depends on us.”