Indivisible groups along the North Shore are busy organizing for the national No Kings rally on Saturday, March 28th. What began as a single day of defiance has become a sustained national resistance to unconstitutional actions by our government. If people are frustrated by rising costs, angry about immigrants being incarcerated without due process, appalled at the atrocities of ICE agents, or furious about the war on Iran, these rallies offer an opportunity to speak out.
Indivisible groups are local, volunteer-led chapters of a progressive grassroots movement in the United States. It was founded in 2016 by former congressional staffers who wrote “The Indivisible Guide,” a handbook designed to teach everyday citizens how to use the same local advocacy tactics the Tea Party used to influence their members of Congress.
Indivisible groups follow a “distributed organizing” model. This means that while there is a national organization (The Indivisible Project) that provides tools and strategy, the individual groups are autonomous. They decide their own local priorities and leadership.
Much of their current messaging focuses on resisting what they describe as “MAGA extremism” and the “militarization of American cities.”
The movement is supported by three distinct legal entities: Indivisible Civics (501 (c) (3)), which focuses on non-partisan voter education and training. Indivisible Project (501(c)(4)) that handles the bulk of its legislative advocacy and “resistance” organizing. Indivisible Action (PAC): The political arm that makes official endorsements and spends money on ads for specific candidates.
• The Two Harbors No Kings rally will be held at the Lakeview Cemetery (1440 7th Ave.) from 4:00-5:00 PM on March 28th. This event is being organized by Two Harbors Breakwall Indivisible, which has also planned a sign-making and pizza night on March 27th at Emmanuel Lutheran Church from 5:30 to 7:30.
• The Silver Bay No Kings rally will happen at the corner of Highway 61 and Outer Drive (by the stoplights) from 2:30 to 3:30 on March 28th. For further information, contact the Finland/Silver Bay Indivisible group.
• The Grand Marais No Kings Rally will begin at the Cook County Courthouse (411 W 2nd St.) at noon on March 28th. After a program of speeches and songs, participants will file down to the harbor to finish the event by 2:00. Sign painting sessions will be held in the UCC Church lower level from 3-5 on Wednesday, March 18th and Tuesday, March 24th. Poster board, paints, and brushes will be provided.
One could conceivably attend all three rallies that day by starting in Grand Marais and moving down the shore to participate at each location.
Robert DeNiro recently said, “I feel betrayed by my country. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it does need to return to the values that gave us our strength and humanity. If you want our leaders to be accountable, if you’re devoted to the constitution and the rule of law, if you want the United States of America to be worthy of your love, be ready to take to the streets together and we will take our country back.”
Participants (and observers) are reminded that a core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent protest.
Editor’s Note: Reporter Steve Fernlund contributed to the development of this article.
