We are stronger when we are Indivisible

By ELIZABETH HOFFECKER

Around 30 community members, including seasoned local organizers, came together last week to launch Indivisible Waltham, a new group that is joining the nationwide Indivisible movement. We are gathering again this Saturday, April 5, for our group’s first action, a pro-democracy rally on Waltham Common.

The Indivisible movement is a network of thousands of local groups across every state working to build an inclusive democracy of, by and for the people. This movement has been growing rapidly over the past two months, fueled by rising concerns from across the political spectrum over the outsize influence of major corporations and a very small group of billionaires, including Elon Musk, in our elections. This tiny elite is shaping our government and its functions, from the federal level down to the states. 

Indivisible seeks to counteract the influence of big money in politics by mobilizing everyday people to take concrete actions. We aim to hold elected leaders accountable to their constituents, expand participation in the political process and counteract the voter apathy that enables special interests to capture policymaking at all levels of government. 

By helping people learn how to take direct, concrete actions, Indivisible groups engage their communities in the critical work of being active participants in democracy, rather than angry and helpless spectators. 

Leaders of existing community-based organizations in Waltham, who were present at our first Indivisible Waltham meeting, have voiced the need for a well-networked “umbrella” organization that can engage people who are currently looking for a way to participate in strengthening democracy nationally as well as locally. 

Waltham has a large number of community-based organizations already working across a range of issues relevant to our community. Yet busy neighbors I speak to often say that it’s challenging to “plug in” to this existing work. 

Indivisible Waltham aims to address this need, providing highly visible, public opportunities for people to learn about the organizations already doing very important work in Waltham as a first step toward becoming more engaged. 

Our next public action will be a Stand Out on the Waltham Common from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. this Saturday. There we will highlight a number of local groups in Waltham where participants can deepen their engagement after the rally. 

Participating local groups will include Waltham Concerned Citizens, Waltham Mutual Aid, Chaplains on the Way, Watch CDC and others. 

To learn more, visit our website Indivisible Waltham or join us on the common. Our members will be wearing orange lanyards and will be happy to discuss opportunities for getting involved in the work of preserving and strengthening our democracy.