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