Maine

Hands Off Maine!

Deb Fahy — Sun, 06 Apr 2025 16:09:32 +0000

Members of Third Act Maine attended their local #HandsOff rallies across the State on Saturday, April 5th. There were huge rallies in Augusta and Portland and at least two dozen others spread across Maine, including Bangor, Belfast, Bridgeton, Brunswick, Bucksport, Castine, Cherryfield, Farmington, Houlton, Kittery, Lewiston-Auburn, Lubec, Machias, Oxford, Paris, Presque Isle, Skowhegan, Wells, York and more! Over 3,000 people gathered at the Maine State House in Augusta to demonstrate not just anger and disbelief at the haphazard and destructive dismantling of our government, but also determination, mutual support, good humor and loads of creativity. Third Act Mainer Dick Thomas of Waterville reports:

My wife and I just attended the Hands-Off! Rally and March in Augusta with 3,000 other Mainers! It was peaceful and rowdy at the same time: very inspiring. One of the speakers said that over 60 billionaires bankrolled the Republicans in the last election, and 83 billionaires bankrolled the Democratic Party. She said both parties are complicit in letting the oligarchy control our government. The next presenter was a Maine legislator, and she talked about bills that were voted down last week in Augusta. All of the Republicans voted for six bills that would have helped make abortion illegal, and they all voted for a bill that would have made contraception inaccessible. All the Democrats voted against these bills, so it made a difference that the Democrats have a three-seat majority! Another presenter talked about how the oligarchy keeps us busy fighting cultural wars about things like reproductive freedom, so they can go unnoticed while they continue winning their class war against us, privatizing government agencies and widening the income gap.

Democrats will win big time when they commit more to representing the poor, the oppressed, the working families, and the middle class; working together to make everyone’s lives better. And when they do that, we’ll have the power to end subsidies to the fossil fuel corporations. We’ll finally make some progress on climate change!

Third Act Maine’s co-lead Molly Schen organized the Hands Off rally at Monument Square in Portland, which also drew thousands, including Maine’s State Senator Angus King!

Hands Off Portland Maine organizer, our own Molly Schen, poses in Monument Square

Meanwhile, Molly’s fellow co-lead, Tom Mikulka and hundreds of friends were at Erskine Park in South Portland at the entrance to the Casco Bay Bridge.

#HandsOff protestors in South Portland. Photo: Tom Mikulka

The Lewiston-Auburn area standout was on the Longley Androscoggin bridge, downtown between Lewiston and Auburn which drew an estimated 400-500 people. Third Act Maine member Nancy Greene shared her experience:

“It was the largest demonstration ever on the bridge that many of us could remember. The crowd was energetic, very friendly, happy to be there and continued to trade disbelief and anger about the actions of Trump and the GOP. Lewiston-Auburn is a family community, and it was comfortable being together. We were continually motivated by the traffic — many supportive horns and yells as cars and pick-up trucks continued across the bridge.

My favorite sign was ” Wake Up, Little Susie.” Another: “Social Security Works, Billionaires Don’t.”

The major organizer was RESIST Central Maine, an Indivisible group that stands out at Susan Collins office every Tuesday morning.

As mentioned above, the action on Saturday felt comfortable… and good. We saw friends and visited with our neighbors — all of us concerned but glad we were there.”

Anne Behnke and Third Act Maine member Nancy Greene

Third Act was well representing in Farmington, Maine!

Third Act Mainers represent in Farmington! Photo: Ann Arbor

Making Fossil Fuel Companies Pay

Deb Fahy — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 23:05:38 +0000

This year Maine has a chance to pass a groundbreaking piece of climate legislation that would make polluters pay to help protect communities from the climate crisis. It’s pretty simple: Maine would create a Climate Superfund and fine big oil and gas companies to pay for the damage they caused. The money would also be used to fund projects that protect communities from storms, floods, and rising sea levels. Click here for a fact sheet with more details.

Big oil companies such as Exxon, Chevron, and Shell have known for decades that more fossil fuels would mean fiercer storms, more floods, homes destroyed, and lives lost. It’s time to join Vermont and New York in holding polluters accountable. We’ve heard that other states have similar legislation in the works as well.

Devastating storms have already impacted cities and towns across Maine. It’s only a matter of time before the next climate disaster comes. If polluters aren’t the ones paying for the damage, that leaves the people of Maine on the hook – again and again and again.

You can support the soon to be released Make Polluters Pay Act by signing this petition by Maine Conservation Voters.

The Climate Superfund is a 2025 priority action of Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition, a statewide alliance of 39 conservation, climate action, and public health organizations.

Flooding in Hallowell along the Kennebec River, December 2023. Photo: Deb Fahy.

Outrage Turns Into Action

Deb Fahy — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:23:01 +0000

It has been just a matter of weeks since the Trump/Musk administration launched its assault on democracy. They’ve used every tool in the book to overwhelm, confuse, and demoralize us. But it isn’t working! Not here, not ever. Third Act Mainers were everywhere in the past month, and their energy was amazing. They joined concerned groups of citizens, standing out with hand-painted signs that were repainted when the news from Washington became more bizarre. They stood out in ice-cold weather and when a storm was on the horizon. They joined hundreds of other Mainers and millions throughout the country to defend the Constitution.

Central Maine Hub

Central Maine Hub actively focused on defending democracy. Hub members attended a big rally at the State House, a smaller gathering outside Senator Susan Collins’ office in Augusta, two demonstrations near Tesla chargers at the Waterville Elm Plaza (One of which was mentioned on the Racheal Maddow Show!) and a “Dump Trump” rally with 50 other protesters on downtown Main Street in Waterville. The Hub is coordinating with Indivisible. They’re emailing, calling political representatives, and writing letters to the editor.

photo: Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Western Mountains

Well over 200 concerned citizens rallied at a standout organized by Western Mountains Third Act on March 1 in downtown Farmington. Protesters were greeted frequently with beeping horns and waves from passersby. There were very few dissenters. Protest participants cited reasons for standing up:

“I’m very frightened and angry for our democracy” – Wendy

“We have to speak. Silence is capitulation” – Ellen

“I’m a queer woman, and I have a non-binary child.” – Sara

Farmington standout. Photo: Ann Arbor.

Lincoln County Hub

In Lincoln County, Third Act Maine has teamed up with Indivisible, Maine Dems and other groups for weekly demonstrations at the Damariscotta/Newcastle bridge on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. When the gathering of democracy advocates began several weeks ago, only a handful of folks participated. After Trump and Musk took a chain saw to the federal work force, 400+ people have been showing up.

“This is the new normal, and for the sake of future generations and all life on this beautiful planet, if we want a fighting chance, the time to show up is NOW” – Marnie Sinclair, Third Act Maine

Nearly 400 protestors line Main Street in Damariscotta and Newcastle during a Lincoln County Indivisible rally on Saturday, March 1. According to Nigel Calder, a member of the group’s steering committee, protestors were there representing a variety of issues including proposed cuts to Medicaid by the Trump administration and America’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war. Photo: Johnathan Riley/Lincoln County News.

Greater Portland Hub

Greater Portland Third Act Maine members have been protesting in Augusta and in Monument Square in Portland week after week. Television interviews and meeting a woman, 80+ with her granddaughters, are a few highlights.

“I think you would have your gas tank partly refilled by this raucous group of mostly elders. It was lots of fun and my batteries are recharged.” – Tom Mikulka, Third Act Maine

On February 23rd, ten members of Third Act Maine sang their way into the Portland office of Senator Collins. They met with her representative and expressed grave concerns about the powerful senator’s deafening silence on cuts to federal services, veterans, and USAID.

They presented a letter to Collins, pressing her to:

Speak out against the arbitrary cruelty of Elon Musk’s unconstitutional actions
Speak out to defend the Constitution and Congress’s power of the purse
Lead efforts to build coalitions with Republican and Democratic senators against cuts of crucial programs and grants
Schedule a Town Hall Meeting with constituents to hear questions and concerns.

Tom Mikulka, Third Act Maine Co-Lead, speaks to a crowd assembled for “No Kings Day” Feb 17th at the Maine State House in Augusta. Photo: Kathy Mikulka.

For more news and ways you can can get involved and make a difference check out our March newsletter.

Maine’s Environmental Priorities for 2025 Include Climate Superfund Bill

Deb Fahy — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 00:26:39 +0000

In 2024 Third Act Maine (TAM) was honored to be accepted as a member of the Environmental Priorities Coalition (EPC), a statewide alliance of conservation, climate action, and public health organizations. Collectively, these organizations identify a slate of policy priorities to act on the climate crisis, further environmental justice, protect land, water, and wildlife; and cultivate healthy Maine communities. On Tuesday, January 14, Deb Fahy and Dick Thomas represented TAM at the rollout of the EPC’s nine priority bills for 2025 to legislators at the Maine State House.

TAM is actively supporting the climate change superfund bill currently in development. Modeled on similar bills that passed in Vermont and New York recently, this legislation would make fossil fuel companies help pay for damage caused by climate change. Maine Youth for Climate Justice is taking the lead on this bill, and TAM is proud to be a partner supporting them in this important work, fulfilling our mission to “uplift youth.” TAM volunteers Deb Fahy and Cletis Boyer are representing us in the EPC.

Check out Third Act Maine’s latest newsletter on Substack for more Maine actions on behalf of the climate.

Cole Cochrane of Maine Youth for Climate Justice presents information on the pending superfund bill to Maine State Legislators at the EPC Priorities Launch at the State House on January 14th. Photo by Deb Fahy

Reflection on the Solstice

Deb Fahy — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 20:06:21 +0000

For many Americans, the days since November 5 have been a struggle. We slogged through the increasingly dark days of November and December. Given the sweep of the election and the threats from those elected, we ask how to motivate ourselves for the next four years to continue the work for democracy and climate health. And what difference will it make?

Perhaps the solstice in the next few days can provide inspiration. We can rest and reflect quietly with a candle. We can think about our reasons to continue the struggle. For me, this includes the children and grandchildren in the world… the abundant life in the rivers and lakes of Maine… the moccasin flower in the woods behind my house… and the health of a beloved neighbor. Every day I hope to find another reason.

Then, ever so slowly, as the days become longer, I hope we can all reenergize. Let’s take care of ourselves and lean on each other. It’s our community that will support us and help us confront the new challenges ahead.

Check out Third Act Maine’s December Newsletter on Substack, and learn how you can engage with the Third Act community of concerned and caring activist elders here in Maine.

By Third Act Maine Newsletter editor Nancy Greene

We Have Work To Do

Deb Fahy — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:42:47 +0000

The results of the presidential election are in and it doesn’t look good for democracy or the planet, but we’ve all lived long enough to know there’s no use in sulking and looking for someone to blame. Our work is more urgent than ever. To quote Winston Churchill, “This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Let’s give ourselves time to mourn what might have been. Then, let’s pick ourselves up and get back in the fight. Check out our latest newsletter on Substack for news, inspiration and ways you can get involved.

Russ Duchaney on Flickr

Petition: A leadership opportunity for L.L.Bean

Deb Fahy — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 15:42:40 +0000

The following letter by Third Act Mainer Bill Rixon was published last month in the Portland Press Herald:

“Americans Who Tell the Truth“, an exhibit of 18 portraits, was shown at the Meeting House Art Gallery here in Freeport last October (2023). Maine artist Robert Shetterly painted these masterly portraits of Americans who have spoken truth to power. Many of these Americans have spoken truth about the climate crisis we face. “The crisis of climate change and environmental degradation is the greatest crisis humanity has ever confronted, and it is made many times harder because so many powerful institutions, governments, and corporations are invested in an economy of exploitation,” Shetterly writes.

Third Act founder Bill McKibben’s portrait from Americans Who Tell the Truth – click on photo for more info

L.L.Bean, with its reputation as a corporation that cares for the environment, has an opportunity to speak truth to power by encouraging Citibank, which services the L.L.Bean credit card, to stop financing new fossil fuel infrastructure. L.L.Bean could enhance its voice with Citibank by enlisting other large retailers, such as Costco, in a coalition of concerned corporate citizens. This coalition could then use their combined economic influence to speak truth to Citibank. L.L.Bean could bolster its reputation of being good stewards of the environment. L.L.Bean could be a leader in speaking the truth about “the greatest crisis humanity has ever confronted.” William Rixon, Freeport, Maine

Third Act Maine has delivered a national petition to L.L. Bean’s corporate headquarters. But what about creating our OWN petition, of Mainers protesting L.L. Bean’s continued use of a Citibank credit card? Sign here!

Protecting Democracy by Getting Out the Vote

Deb Fahy — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 00:06:11 +0000

Third Act Maine’s Western Mountains Hub held its Get Ready to Vote concert on the evening of September 26. We were honored to have Governor Janet Mills come to speak to those present. It appeared that everyone enjoyed the music and conversations. In addition to this work, and in the spirit of Bill McKibben’s request that we all focus on Climate AND Democracy, our local Third Act members are staffing voter registration tables each week on the campus of the University of Maine at Farmington.

John Rosenwald helping to register voters – Ann Arbor Photography

In Cape Elizabeth, the Greater Portland Hub gathered together to get out the vote with a postcard party using the well-organized campaign “Vote Forward” to focus on registered voters in swing states.

Kathy Mikulka hosted a letter writing gathering through Vote Forward. Here, the group is writing to registered voters in Georgia, urging them to vote.

Check out our latest newsletter via Substack “Climate & Democracy in the News We’re Taking Action Across the State hot off the presses today with lots more Third Act Maine news and ways to get involved!

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The featured image on this post is Ruth Hill singing at Farmington’s Get Ready to Vote Concert, photo by Ann Arbor Photography

Henry’s Year of Climate Activism

Deb Fahy — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 23:39:18 +0000

It’s been quite a year for Henry, the Golden Retriever pup, a dedicated climate activist! He is now one year old, and he’s been to many, many standouts for climate action with Third Act Maine. Here’s a recap of a few moments: Pine Tree Power…. L.L. Bean…. Maine PERS. This dog gets around!

Report on Second Annual Statewide Gathering

Deb Fahy — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 20:37:14 +0000

Third Act Mainers gathered in Waterville on Thursday, September 5th for our second annual statewide gathering, this year called “Saving Democracy and the Planet.” With four speakers, a “get-out-the-vote” letter writing campaign, singing, and three workshops, the day was packed with a variety of activities. 96% of folks gave the event top marks, praising its positive energy, organization, and quality speakers.

One attendee wrote, “I’m leaving very upbeat. You covered the whole gamut–spiritual and action.”

We enjoyed four amazing speakers: Arctic explorer and researcher Susana Hancock, artist Robert Shetterly on truth-tellers, Kathleen Miel on legislative policy and our role in the Environmental Priorities Coalition, and Nicole Diroff on remembering to love the natural world of which we are a part. We wrote letters to get out the vote in swing states and ended the day with song with the Pick-Up Climate Choir.

Afterwards, keynote speaker Susana Hancock posted on Instagram, “It’s so uplifting to be surrounded by passionate people using their minds, skills and dreams to change their communities.”

Check out our latest newsletter on Substack for ways YOU can help save Democracy and the planet!

Photos by Deb Fahy, Tom Mikulka & Nancy Anderson. Many thanks to Universalist Unitarian Church of Waterville, Maine for hosting!