Action 56 – Remember March 1, 2025

On this date, in the rain, people gathered in all 16 county seats in Maine, to protest the Trump/Musk/Putin regime. This just might mark the beginning of a serious and sustained resistance movement.  In Ellsworth, two emerging local leaders gave speeches that you might want to read and be encouraged by.  More work is ahead, but for today, recharge your batteries!  Watch the president’s state of the union if you can stand it, and send us your thoughts about it.  Back to work tomorrow!

 March 1 Demonstration ~ Remarks of Charles Stephens

 This crowd is so impressive, all of us gathered here today.  This is what motivates our grassroots action. We need one another, there is strength in numbers as we face the storm ahead.

 I am Charles Stephens.  I am the Chair of the Hancock County Democratic Party.

I am pleased to be taking part in this demonstration which Rejects Authoritarianism and Trumpian Oligarchy.  We bring our voices here to protect Democracy. I thank Acadia Action for organizing this demonstration. I thank Graham for inviting me to speak. And I thank you for being here today.

 We all know about the confrontation at the Governors meeting with the President 8 days ago in the State Dining Room.  It was an unusual breach of the typically courteous interactions that lawmakers, even of opposing parties, have with one another.  The President confronted our Governor, Janet Mills :

            “Are you not going to comply with it?” (his executive order )

            “I’m complying with state and federal laws,” Mills replied.

            Trump responded, “We are the federal law.” 

            “We’re going to follow the law,” our Governor said.

            “You’d better comply,” Trump warned. “Otherwise, you’re not getting any federal                                    funding.”

            “We’ll see you in court,” the Governor replied.

We are not misled.  This is not just about who can compete on the athletic field, this is about whether a President can force compliance with his will without regard for the rule of law that governs our state and nation.

 Governor Mills wrote: “Today, the President of the United States has targeted one particular group on one particular issue which Maine law has addressed. But you must ask yourself: who and what will he target next, and what will he do? Will it be you? Will it be because of your race or your religion? Will it be because you look different or think differently? Where does it end? In America, the President is neither a King nor a dictator, as much as this one tries to act like it – and it is the rule of law that prevents him from being so.”

 As American citizens we disagree about many issues. That is to be expected. The Hancock County Democratic Committee supports our Governor’s position, that she will do what is necessary, including taking legal action, to enforce all state and federal laws and regulations applicable to this issue. And we condemn in the strongest terms any State Representative who intentionally exposes a high school student for political gain. The harassment of a minor is indefensible. The people of Maine deserve better from their elected state representatives. We need to focus on solving real issues (like cost of living, housing, healthcare) with real solutions.

 And then yesterday we were horrified and ashamed of how President Trump ambushed Ukraine president Zelensky in a way that seemed designed to give him an excuse to side with war criminal Putin in his invasion of Ukraine. In front of reporters, (including one from Russian state media, but no one from the Associated Press or Reuters); in front of the cameras, Trump and Vance engaged in what one reporter called a “mob hit,” trying to force Zelensky to sign over rights to Ukrainian rare-earth minerals or else.

 Former representative Liz Cheney posted: “Generations of American patriots, … have fought for the principles Zelensky is risking his life to defend. But today, Donald Trump and JD Vance attacked Zelensky and pressured him to surrender the freedom of his people to the KGB war criminal who invaded Ukraine. History will remember this day —when an American President and Vice President abandoned all we stand for.”

 We stand together today, letting the President, our Maine Senators and Representatives know that we the people reject Authoritarianism and the newly forming Trumpian Oligarchy.

 We bring our voices to protect Democracy.

 March 1 Demonstration ~ Remarks of Graham Platner

“First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left

To speak out for me”

Those words, often cited as a poem, come from speeches given after WW2 by German Pastor Martin Niemoller. They lay out with brutal simplicity the steps that are taken by rising authoritarians to crush possible opposition. 

 By isolating a population that is either culturally or politically on the fringes, they start by attacking these populations alone.  And then move on to their next target.  Eventually destroying all opposition because they never had to face it combined.  

 They need to divide us, because they and their ideology are not a majority. They cannot face all of us when we are united. They cannot face all of us when we stand in solidarity with each other, as a coalition for democracy. Pastor Neimoller’s words are more important NOW than ever. 

 Maine is the canary in the coal mine. Trump and his billionaire bosses are looking for an easy target to unleash their authoritarian weapons on, in the hopes that, by forcing a quick submission, they will intimidate other states from further resistance.  

 It is no coincidence that they are starting by attacking Trans children in Maine. These children are some of the most vulnerable and powerless, and a cornerstone of the culture war. They are using children as a way to divide us, hoping that with threats and bullying they can force Maine’s leaders to buckle.  

 Protecting vulnerable children is not only morally right, it is the first real fight in this battle for our democracy. 

 These fascists expect Maine to back down, setting the precedent that state’s laws can be changed not by democratic or legal means but merely by the threats and whims of Washington. 

Trump picked Maine as an easy target.  He picked wrong.  

 Governor Mill displayed great courage when she defended Maine’s laws to Donald Trump’s face. Senator Angus King has done us proud by making it clear he sees the crisis we’re facing.  

 These actions from Mills and King honor Maine’s rich history of fighting for what is right. Mainers have fought courageously for democracy and justice in battles - from the  battles against slavery to rebuking McCarthyism. 

We are here today to show our support and solidarity with those representatives who have risen to their moment in history, taking a stand for what is right and setting an example to our nation. Mainers will not yield, we will not back down, we will defend our democracy at all costs. Today, in all 16 counties we are turning out in great numbers to show just how many Mainers are willing to hold the line.  

 My name is Graham Platner. I was born and raised in Hancock County. I’m the lead organizer for Acadia Action, of which I will describe more in a bit. I want to thank you all for coming, this turnout is amazing. Next up we have several community and faith leaders who have graciously volunteered to give us their remarks on the crisis our community and country is currently experiencing.

  After that I will make some brief remarks about Acadia Action and ways to get involved, and then we get to the fun part!  We have some wonderful musicians here today to help us put our energy into songs and chants, in the hopes of raising our spirits and solidarity with one another. 

I was listening recently to a talk given by a veteran civil rights and labor organizer who came out of the African-American Church in the south. She said that in this system, POWER is ORGANIZED MONEY and ORGANIZED PEOPLE. Now, we know the money is organized. We see the power it wields daily, from Elon Musk, to rising food costs, to private equity buying up housing.  And sometimes it all just looks too powerful, like we can’t do anything about it, like resisting it is futile.

 Resisting isn’t futile. It is necessary. But to resist, we the people must ORGANIZE. To weather whatever storms are ahead, we must ORGANIZE! To build a stronger and more caring community, we must ORGANIZE! And we must organize to build real power, in our communities, in our state, and in our country. Acadia Action is here to help facilitate that, to provide organizing opportunities and the skills needed to make them successful. But we are also here to help connect our neighbors with other groups and campaigns that are working towards the same better world we are.  

 We Believe all Mainers deserve healthcare.  All Mainers deserve a safe roof over their heads. And all Mainers deserve to live and work with dignity. If you believe these things too, I urge you to sign up for Acadia Action. 

 Together we can organize for a better world. 

But we can’t do it alone. 

 Indivisible Bangor 

Hancock County Dems 

Sweet Fern MDI 

Maine DSA 

Food and Medicine Bangor 

Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine 

Midcoast Socialist Coalition 

Maine People's Alliance 

March 26, 5:30-7 Ellsworth Public Library Maine People's Alliance Community Meeting We will be there, and we hope to see many of you. 

 If you want to connect with any of these organizations but can’t find a contact,  please reach out to us at Acadia Action and we will get you in touch. 

Like any good organizer, I can’t finish today without a specific ask. We need to talk about the Elephant in the Party. Our Congressman, Jared Golden, thinks you’re all overreacting! He says everything is fine, and that there is nothing to worry about!  Just yesterday he sent out a message saying Maine should think about giving in, should think about getting rid of those legal protections Governor Mills is fighting for!  Well, this upcoming week, I’d like you to send him a message. Call his offices.  Bombard his e-mail. We see him. We are watching. And come next election, we will remember who had courage and who faltered!