When the inauguration brought signs that our country was in trouble, Indivisible CLT in Mecklenberg County, NC, saw a surge in membership, including several people from adjacent Gaston County. Comments kept popping up on the ICLT Facebook page: “I feel so isolated over here in Gaston County. Is anyone starting a local chapter?”

About 10 people met at the Belmont Bookshop at the end of February in 2025 to swap contact information and talk about how to organize. After consultation and encouragement from ICLT organizers, Deb Alzner and Ann Doss Helms convened a meeting in Mount Holly in May of 2025 to gauge interest in starting our own chapter. About 50 people turned out to answer the question: Are you interested in being part of Indivisible Gaston? The resounding answer was: Yes!

A group of Indivisible Gaston members came to Charlotte’s No Kings rally in June 2025, while the fledgling leadership team strategized on staging our own events. Later that month, Indivisible Gaston held its first pop-up demonstration, in front of the Farmers Market in Mount Holly. We worried about facing hostility in a deep red county. Instead we were greeted by smiles, thumbs up and support.

Over and over, we have discovered the power and joy that comes from building a community dedicated to justice, democracy and decency. We are not alone. We encourage support for each other and respect for those who disagree with us.

In its first year, Indivisible Gaston has:

• Held dozens of pop-up demonstrations in Gaston County, a constant reminder to our community that the march toward authoritarianism is neither normal nor acceptable.

• Joined other community groups to honor the life of John Lewis in a Good Trouble Lives On vigil.

• Highlighted the legacy of slain union leader Ella May Wiggins on Labor Day.

• Led more than 500 people in a march through the streets of Belmont for No Kings II in October 2025.

• Worked with Indivisible Charlotte, Siembra NC and the Carolina Immigrant Alliance to respond to the November border patrol surge in Charlotte. 

• Hosted a celebration of resistance through the arts in January 2026.

• Held social gatherings, sign-making parties and information sessions to help build community.

• Encouraged members to support and participate in events that celebrate local diversity, such as Gastonia’s Juneteenth EbonyFest and first-ever pride events in Belmont and Mount Holly.

• Provided information to help members engage with local government and elections.

• Created a social media network with hundreds of followers.

Indivisible Gaston is still a young organization, with room for members to shape its identity and put their visions into action. We hope you’ll join us.