Indivisible Joins May Day Strong: A Strategic Pivot Toward Labor and Coalition-Building for Democracy

Indivisible’s Strategic Shift Toward Labor and Coalition-Building

Following last month’s No Kings protest, Indivisible—a pro-democracy, anti-authoritarian movement—joined May Day Strong’s actions, drawing inspiration from Minnesota’s one-day strike playbook in January. While this may appear as a pivot toward more disruptive labor-directed efforts, co-founder and co-executive director Ezra Levin frames it as part of a broader movement essential for success.

“Society cannot function without workers, and our political system won’t function unless more non-billionaires and non-mega corporations get involved in how politics works.”

Measuring Success Beyond Immediate Impact

Levin acknowledges the challenges of measuring the impact of protest groups like Indivisible, particularly in a week marked by the Supreme Court dismantling voting rights and the Trump administration escalating its war in Iran despite rising costs and casualties. However, he avoids long-term projections, emphasizing instead the importance of growth and tactical innovation. The alignment with May Day Strong exemplifies this approach.

Building a Broad Coalition for Democracy

Levin’s focus remains on coalition-building, including outreach to individuals who are not traditional advocates or organizers. He clarifies Indivisible’s role within the larger ecosystem:

“Indivisible isn’t the right movement organization to organize the entire country. We are a piece of it.”

This interview has been lightly condensed and edited for clarity.

Indivisible’s Role in the U.S. Organizing Ecosystem

Levin underscores that no single organization or movement can alone transform the political system to reflect the will of the people. Success depends on cross-coalition collaboration, a principle central to Indivisible’s strategy. This is evident in initiatives such as the Hands Off coalition, launched a year ago, the Good Trouble Lives On protests on John Lewis Day of Remembrance, and the No Kings coalition, which includes hundreds of member organizations.

May Day Strong is not led by Indivisible or the No Kings coalition but by a dedicated coalition emphasizing union participation. Levin stresses that a pro-democracy movement cannot succeed without significant involvement from labor leaders. He adds:

“You can’t succeed in what we’re trying to do without welcoming new members to your coalition and without showing up for them when they’re leading a day of action like tomorrow.”

Evaluating Impact Amidst Political Challenges

When asked how Indivisible measures the impact of its work with the No Kings coalition—particularly in a week where the Supreme Court gutted voting rights—Levin reiterates the focus on growth and adaptability over immediate outcomes.