Formed after the 2016 election, the national Indivisible group was created to provide a template for establishing local grass-roots groups to engage in progressive political activism. The local Livingston County group was created a short time later, with the mission to include, inform, inspire, and ignite change for the common good.
Membership in Indivisible Livingston County Michigan — which has grown steadily since it was first established — has just surpassed the 1,000-member mark.
“Our first couple meetings drew only a handful, but we were excited to find other like-minded people in Livingston County, and they were excited to find us,” said Gayle Homan-Snyder. “We were determined to make the group a place for others to be active and safe while working for change. It’s been a huge success.”
Indivisible Livingston organized and participated in a number of events leading up to the 2018 mid-term elections, including vigils in support of the ACA and DACA, and protests against tax cuts for the wealthy, harsh immigration policies, and the appearance of controversial speakers at local GOP events.
As elections approach, members are encouraged to support candidates and campaigns at both local and state levels.
“Dozens of our members actively gathered signatures in support of the redistricting commission to end partisan gerrymandering and the voters overwhelmingly approved it,” said Patricia McDade-Ralya, an early Indivisible Livingston member. “That’s the type of active participation we encourage and support.”
Brenda Lindsay, one of Indivisible Livingston’s administrators, called breaking the 1,000-member milestone significant.
“The growth of the group from a handful to over a thousand shows Livingston County is changing. Our members are working hard to bring about that change,” Lindsay said. “We invite everyone to join us in that effort for the common good.”
Meetings are currently held virtually in the wake of the pandemic.
Richard Gienapp, another charter member, advises like-minded people to visit the group on Facebook, and request to join.
