Indivisible To Host Rally Saturday, Aims To Promote Democracy
By Patrick DeVivo
“No Kings Day” Rally in Melrose last June
Photo Credit: Nancy Clover
On Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 10am, Indivisible in Melrose, Wakefield, and Beyond is organizing a rally on the Stoneham Town Common.
This is part of the third nationwide “No Kings Day” event, in which citizen groups across the country have planned peaceful protests of the current federal administration’s policies and actions. “No Kings Day” rallys were previously held on June 14, 2025, and October 18, 2025.
One of the largest of the organizing groups is Indivisible, a national organization formed in 2016 that has since spawned over 2,000 grassroots chapters throughout all areas of the country - rural, suburban, and urban alike.
Unlike many of the other political action groups that will be participating on “No Kings Day,” which advocate for or against a specific policy, program, constituency, or cause, Indivisible advocates for democracy (the system of government in which power is vested in the population at large, as opposed to systems like oligarchy or plutocracy, in which power is vested in the wealthiest members of society) and opposes actions that they believe undermine the democratic republican system of government that is spelled out in the United States Constitution.
“The idea behind Indivisible is a recognition of the fact that freedom isn’t free,” says Evans Travis, a member of the local group, Indivisible in Melrose, Wakefield, and Beyond. “The right to vote and other citizen-related rights that have been handed down to us are not going to be around if you’re not there to exercise them and defend them.”
The organization is loosely structured. Those at the national level provide vision and expertise along with online tools, training, and research for anyone who decides to form a group in their local area.
“The national organization offers lots of wiggle room, and that makes us feel empowered,” says Sue Herz, another member of the Indivisible in Melrose, Wakefield, and Beyond group. The local leadership team consists of about a dozen people who meet at least weekly to plan events and vet ideas for new activities.
“The group grew organically,” says Herz. “One person said, ‘I’ll handle music at the events.’ Another said, ‘I’ll do the Facebook page.’ And another said, ‘I’ll make signs for bridges,’ and so on.”
Indivisible in Melrose, Wakefield, and Beyond has grown to over 1,500 individuals who are kept up to date on the group's scheduled events and participate as much as they are able to. Most group members are from Melrose, Wakefield, Saugus, and Malden.
In addition to large nationwide rallies like the “No Kings Day” and the “Hands Off” protests on April 5, 2025, Indivisible in Melrose, Wakefield and Beyond holds weekly standouts (sign-holding) at designated locations in the area to protest what they see as the erosion of democracy due to government actions. Among other activities, Indivisible’s Racial Justice and Equity Team addresses the rise of white nationalism, and Morning Coffee Conversations allow for sharing concerns about the loss of democracy.
Photo From Mobilize Melrose
Some months ago, Gerry Mroz heard about an Indivisible meeting and spoke to his wife to “figure out what we can do here to make a difference.” He had previously heard of Indivisible and decided to sign up because of the opportunity for he and his wife to contribute as much as their schedule allows. Since then, Mroz has become one of the most active and leading members of Indivisible in Melrose, Wakefield, and Beyond.
“We all just step up and bring our own skills and expertise. Some know about social media, some know about other media, some know how to run an electrical cord and plug,” says Mroz. “We all come together to contribute what we have and hope we’ve filled in all the gaps in order to make an event or an ongoing activity successful.”
In all of these activities the Indivisible in Melrose, Wakefield and Beyond leadership team “makes sure we always keep our eye on the prize,” says Herz, “which is the survival of our democracy.”
Members hold a whole spectrum of political beliefs. Some might care passionately about disability rights, some may care about education, some may care about immigrant rights. While members are never questioned about their political party affiliation, each of the leaders spoken to is confident that the group consists of a healthy mix of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats.
“In some ways you could argue that the group is conservative,” says Mroz, “because its goal is to protect and conserve the Constitution.” There is space in the organization so that people can feel strongly about specific issues and still believe in democracy. “Everyone can believe what they want to believe – we all have political leanings – just as long as they include a commitment to preserve the constitution and democracy.”
Adds Travis, “Indivisible is an organization that recognizes that we have the right in our Constitution to petition the government. Well, how do you petition a government? You protest, you write letters, you make phone calls, you get out there, and then when you have the chance to vote, you vote.”
For more information on Indivisible in Melrose, Wakefield, and Beyond, visit their Facebook page. In addition to this weekend's rally, Indivisible in Melrose, Wakefield, and Beyond is co-sponsoring a bystander training on April 1st at 7pm at the Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church.
