The 38th Annual Acton-Boxborough Democratic Picnic took place on Sunday, September 28, 2025, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the NARA Park Picnic Pavilion in Acton. It was a beautiful late-September afternoon — warm and in the 80s — perfect picnic weather. Families from 10 or so towns spread out across the pavilion, neighbors shared food and conversation. The event was open to all, regardless of political affiliation. A wide array of elected officials, candidates, and community leaders stepped up to the microphone.
State and Federal Officials
The speaking program opened with Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin, who made the case for same-day voter registration. “I’m here primarily to promote the ballot initiative … to provide for same-day voter registration,” he explained. He noted that the measure has been blocked in the legislature but could succeed through direct democracy. “If 100 committees each got 1,000 signatures, we’d be on the ballot. I’m absolutely convinced it’s going to win because people know it’s about democracy itself.”
State Auditor Diana DiZoglio struck a similar theme of accountability and transparency. “We are working very hard at the auditor’s office to shine a light in the dark areas of state government,” she said. Citing audits of the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority), DCF (Department of Children and Families), and Mass Save (a collaborative of Massachusetts’ electric and natural gas utilities and energy efficiency service providers), she added: “Massachusetts is ranked as the least transparent state government in the nation. That has to change, and that’s why we’re leading a ballot initiative to subject the State House and Governor’s Office to the public records law.
Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan spoke about justice and community trust. “We have to be sure that we uphold the pillars of our democracy and not let cruelty be sold to us as law and order,” she said, warning against conflating vengeance with justice.
On behalf of Senator Ed Markey, a member of his staff delivered remarks emphasizing his ongoing fight for climate action, health care, and immigrant rights. He cited Markey’s work on the Green New Deal and pledged, “We fight every single day to protect the rights of immigrants and to ensure working families have a fair chance.”
Local Legislative Delegation
State Senator Jamie Eldridge urged residents to think boldly about the Commonwealth’s future. “Immigration, climate, healthcare, revenue — these are the areas we must act on,” he said. “But beyond that, we need to have a bolder vision of what we want this country to look like, or it will be very hard to turn the ship around.”
State Representative Dan Sena, himself an immigrant, spoke passionately about deportations and housing challenges. “This fight is very personal,” he said. “The number of people being deported is staggering, and every week we hear from families in our district. At the same time, we are working to keep housing affordable, as we did recently with Devenscrest, where state funds helped protect tenants from doubling rents.”
State Representative Simon Cataldo emphasized government accessibility and accountability. “We should hold our state government to the same standards of transparency that we hold our local governments,” he said, voicing support for ballot initiatives to reform public records laws.
Candidates with Fresh Energy
The picnic also offered the stage to candidates introducing themselves to voters.
Andrea James, a gubernatorial candidate and longtime community organizer, declared: “This is a campaign that has been largely ignored by the establishment, and we will not be ignored. There are 1.2 million people in Massachusetts who are not engaged in the political process because they don’t feel heard. I am running to change that.” She added: “If nothing else, this race should demonstrate whose side we are on —all of us, one Commonwealth.”
Alex Rikleen, an Acton resident and U.S. Senate candidate, emphasized urgency in the face of threats to democracy. “I’m an ordinary Massachusetts native, a dad, and a former history teacher,” he said. “Democrats in Washington are playing it safe while people are getting hurt today. We have tools; we should be using them every single day to defend democracy.”
Community Voices
Christine Brown of Indivisible Acton Area delivered a fiery call to action. “Let’s be clear-eyed,” she warned. “The United States has firmly entered the era of competitive authoritarianism. The greatest danger is to withdraw into some private world of your own and just try to wait it out. Don’t believe the pundits who say it’s too late. The grassroots movement is real, and it’s our best defense.”
A representative of LUCE (Liberation, Union, Community, Hope [Esperanza]) gave a powerful on-the-ground perspective. “I spend my free time showing up for our immigrant neighbors,” she said. “Just last week, I witnessed a workplace raid where nine people were taken in minutes, including someone with a green card. These are our neighbors. We cannot stay silent.”
A Community Tradition
By the time the program wrapped up, the sun was still shining, and families were still gathered around picnic tables. As one attendee put it while packing up their lawn chair: “It’s not just about politics. It’s about being here, together, and knowing our voices matter.”
Greg Jarboe writes for the Acton Exchange on many topics, and is the Council on Aging beat reporter.
Editor’s Note: Miriam Lezak, an Associate Editor for the Acton Exchange, was one of the organizers of the picnic, but was not the editor for this article.
