Jon Phillips and Bethel Defends Democracy

On the September 8, 2026 episode of Mic Check, host Mike Merli sat down live in the studio with Jon Phillips.

Jon is a Bethel resident, father, and longtime technology executive. He is a volunteer with Bethel Defends Democracy, a grassroots progressive group that has brought neighbors together for 80 consecutive weeks of peaceful rallies in the center of Bethel.

Jon believes democracy depends on ordinary people showing up, speaking out, and staying engaged in their communities, and that even in deeply divided times, we should never lose sight of the fact that we are all neighbors.

Bethel Defends Democracy holds a weekly rally, open to all, every Saturday from 11am to 12:30pm, at the corner of Greenwood Avenue and Library Place in Bethel, Connecticut.

For more on Bethel Defends Democracy, and to sign up for their newsletter:

http://bethelrallies.org

bit.ly/BethelRalliesNewsletter

Questions and Feedback for future rallies is always welcome at:

[e-mail]

What is Mic Check?

WPKN’s ½-hour weekly public affairs and community discussion program. Our diverse roster of hosts presents a wide range of topics for discussion: focusing on global, national, and regional issues and their effect on the local Connecticut community. Just as the phrase “Mic Check” was used to mobilize people to create a human microphone during the Occupy Movement, this weekly program will amplify our local community’s many concerns and voices and bring them to the air-waves.