Last week, two-time New York Times bestselling author and co-host of Pod Save the World Ben Rhodes joined ACLU SoCal Executive Director Chandra S. Bhatnagar at the Mark Taper Auditorium at the Los Angeles Central Library to discussed Rhodes’s timely book After the Fall: The Rise of Authoritianism in the World We’ve Made.

In his book, Rhodes -- a seasoned political journalist and former deputy Nntional security advisor and speechwriter for President Obama -- examines the trends and tactics by authoritarian regimes across the globe including in China, Hungary and Russia, which inform the unchecked nationalism and authoritarianism endangering our democracy today. Rhodes and Bhatnagar discussed where America has gone wrong and how essential it is now to fight for what our nation can and should be.

This event kicked off the fall program for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles's ALOUD series and is part of a special, three-part collaboration with the ACLU SoCal called “We the People.” Join us for our next event featuring artist and author Tourmaline in conversation with Co-Director of the ACLU's LGBT & HIV Project Chase Strangio. Learn more and register now.

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Wednesday, September 24, 2025 - 11:45am

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Marcus Benigno

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Watch author and co-host of "Pod Save the World" Ben Rhodes in conversation with ACLU SoCal's Chandra Bhatnagar.

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After the Fall: The Rise of Authoritarianism in the World We’ve Made

The ALOUD series opened its fall season with a not-to-be missed conversation about the current state of the U.S. presented in partnership with the ACLU of Southern California. Acclaimed journalist, co-host of Pod Save the World and two-time New York Times bestselling author Ben Rhodes joined ACLU SoCal Executive Director Chandra S. Bhatnagar to discussed Rhodes’s essential book After the Fall: The Rise of Authoritarianism in the World We’ve Made.

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