Submitted by the San Juan County Democrats

The San Juan County Democrats will host a conversation about defending democracy from racism and the radical right with Friday Harbor author David Neiwert and Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island.

The event will be from 5 -7 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, at Brickworks in Friday Harbor and a Q&A will follow. Tickets are $20 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the SJC Democrats.

Neiwert is the author of several books on racism and radical right groups in the United States, including the recently released “Alt-America: The Rise of the Radical Right in the Age of Trump.” He is the Northwest correspondent for the Southern Poverty Law Center and has appeared on “The Rachel Maddow Show.” His previous book, “Of Orcas and Men: What Whales Can Teach Us,” focused on the plight of the orcas of the Salish Sea.

Ranker, the state senator from the 40th legislative district, including San Juan County, has a long history of strong support for the protection of civil rights and the environment.