Every week since February, folks have been gathering in our small town of Cherryfield, on the bridge over the Narraguagus River, to protest the wild constitutional assaults by the Trump Administration. Every week 20 – 25 folks gather between noon and one on Tuesdays, mostly retired elders, though a few younger people come when they can – it’s in the middle of the working day, easier for us elders. For a number of folks, this is the first time they've joined a public protest. On April 5th, though many of us went to Augusta, more than 130 people protested in Cherryfield.
Concerns range from education cuts, to threats to Social Security, to the cruelty of the deportations and disappearances, to the attack on civil servants, to the lawlessness and corruption at the highest levels, to the swing to authoritarianism and the reign of billionaires in the government, to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, to the tariffs and the chaos they create, to the assault on universities and non-profits, to the cuts to food stamps and medicaid, to the assault on civil rights, to the weaponization of all branches of government to come after the president’s foes and those resisting, to the abandonment of our allies, to the withdrawal from world bodies necessary for confronting climate and world-wide health epidemics and diseases, to the dismantling of public services and safeguards. As one sign read “So many violations, so little cardboard”. It’s not an America that we recognize, certainly not one we want for ourselves and our children nor do I think these were the things “mandated” by the very narrow election.
These protesters are your constituents, week after week, through rain, cold, wind. Others are calling you, writing emails, contributing to public works and advocacy programs. The protests are occurring in town after small town in Maine and across the country, many weekly. They are not covered by television and the media but they are happening and growing. We are desperate for sane, wise, and courageous representation by you, our elected officials. Many of you were in the Capitol on January 6th, 2021 and have seen the chaos, fear and damage that this administration is capable of, have experienced the threats, bullying and scorn that it has for any disagreement or resistance, have seen their contempt for democracy and the rule of law.
We need you to stand up, speak out, come to demonstrations, introduce legislation to stop funding and support for the administration’s assaults on civil life. Please. Time is of the essence.
(formerly BDSWorks)
