Concord -- Still Defending America

Concord Indivisible stands for "people, planet, and democracy.”

With more than 1,500 loyal members, Concord Indivisible provides monthly “huddles” where activists write postcards, join a phone or text bank, and share hopes and frustrations. Calls go out periodically for organized “standouts” and rallies on Concord's famous town common. Anita Saville describes how the group plans its actions. 

Rally with us this Sunday for democracy and freedom!

The call went out to the Concord Indivisible mailing list: On June 23, 1:00–2:30 at First Parish in Concord – rain or shine – Concord Indivisible and friends would mark the day before the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling.

Concord Indivisible planned the event in coordination with allies across Massachusetts and the nation. All are working to make sure Republicans don’t get the chance to roll back essential freedoms related to contraception, reproduction, and LGBTQ+ rights – and more. The theme of the rallies was “Bigger Than Dobbs,” because the rallies encompassed environmental protections and voting rights as well as reproductive freedom.

Diane Proctor,  who emceed the event , addressed the crowd, saying the government does not belong in our bedrooms.

Rally organizers encouraged people to turn out and to continue raising awareness of the stakes of the elections for the majority of Americans who don’t pay close attention to politics. “Adding your presence and voice to our rally is an important action you can take to get their attention.” Local television news covered the event.

This isn’t the first or only rally of 2024. On January 6, near a town “green” more fabled than most, 300 residents gathered to remember the assault on democracy that still haunts America.

Here, just a couple of miles from the bridge where Minutemen repelled British troops in 1775, the crowd heard former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick explain why he is “uneasy about American democracy today.” Harvard political scientist Danielle Allen spoke about “how to fight with love.”

A member of Concord Indivisible’s steering committee, Anita Saville, explained that, “When current events require, we hold rallies and standouts to get the attention of our community. And we have the perfect space for them: Concord’s Monument Square. Our standouts usually involve just holding signs but our rallies include speakers, both local and state officials as well as other community leaders.

We announce both standouts and rallies through our newsletter, or through an e-blast if time is short. We also use our Facebook page and share posts on half a dozen other pages we belong to. For rallies, we send press releases to local and Boston media. Our January 6 rally got full coverage in the Boston Globe.

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After the recent June rally and planned events for the Week of Action for reproductive rights, members will have to be alert. “Standouts could happen at any time!” Saville says.

When they do, here is how the group sets up their members for success:

The newsletter announcement is clear with links and specific actions:

• Let us know you’ll be at the rally — and get updates — with an RSVP.

• Wear something white — symbolizing the early suffrage movement.

• Bring signs — and a friend or two! 

• Reserve packets for an important (and easy) writing project, which you can pick up at the rally. (See order form for details.)

While some come to the standouts with their own signs, Saville notes her group also staffs a table with blank cardboard and markers to make signs.

Year ‘Round Activism

Concord Indivisible members of today take their participation as citizens seriously throughout the year.

What others call Activist Afternoons, Anita Saville explains, “we at Concord Indivisible call ‘huddles.’ Along with postcards, phone banking, and texting, we work with other Indivisibles on a wide range of issues. Our groups work with climate activists, the League of Women Voters, and groups that raise money for Ukraine.”

A National Focus

This year, Concord Indivisible is looking beyond Massachusetts to target specific states for both presidential and congressional elections.

 “We are focused on Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, Saville says. “In each state, local groups give us projects which our Build Back Bluer team passes along to our members. We have also introduced our members to particular candidates.”

“Sometimes we make direct contact with local groups, and sometimes we simply publicize their phone/text banks or canvassing opportunities. We take a good look at each group's website and any news coverage to make sure it’s a group we want to support and recommend to our members.

“We only align ourselves with groups that know how to engage their population.

“We're seeing a steady growth in huddle participation because it's a lot more fun to write postcards with like-minded people in the room.” Anita points out. “A huddle is a good place to vent your spleen, and also to celebrate our victories.”

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Contributors: Anita Saville serves on the Steering Committee of Concord Indivisible and the communications team of the Indivisible Massachusetts Coalition. She became an activist during the ERA campaign in the 1980s and has since fought for reproductive rights and marriage equality. Before retiring she co-founded a nonprofit called Budget Buddies, a financial coaching program for women with low incomes.

Learn more about Concord Indivisible, and sign up for the group’s newsletter, at www.concordindivisible.org.

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