Thousands of Mainers gathered in towns and cities across the state Saturday to protest Trump administration actions and policies that organizers said threaten democracy.
In Portland, Augusta, Auburn and other communities, protestors at the “No Kings” rallies carried signs, rang cowbells and led chants. The events were among more than 2,600 protests planned nationwide on Saturday, and they came amid a government shutdown that has closed federal programs and services and contributed to heightened political tensions.
Elizabeth Leonard, organizer of a “No Kings” protest in Waterville, told hundreds of attendees to participate nonviolently as they kicked off one of the state’s first events Saturday. Leonard said she is seeing a rise in authoritarianism in America.
“They’re destroying everything, and we’re determined to save it,” she said.
Participants in Waterville marched to Veteran’s Memorial Park beating drums, waving American flags and blowing horns. Jacob Madley, a student at Colby College, said he is not a “protest kind of guy” but came to speak out against the federal government.
He said he has seen people being kidnapped off the streets by immigration authorities in his hometown of Los Angeles. “Legal workers, U.S. citizens, it doesn’t matter. They’re taking them all,” Madley said. “It’s very scary and it’s unacceptable.”
The protests built off similar demonstrations held in June that coincided with a military parade through Washington, D.C., and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
Ezra Levin, a leading national organizer of Saturday’s protests, told the Associated Press that the latest round of demonstrations is a response to Trump’s “crackdown on First Amendment rights.”
Levin, the co-executive director of the nonprofit Indivisible, pointed to Trump’s sweeping immigration crackdown, his unprecedented promises to use federal power to influence the 2026 midterm elections, his administration’s efforts to restrict press freedom, and his pledges of retribution against political opponents.
National Republican leaders, meanwhile, dismissed Saturday’s rallies as extremist earlier this week, with some referring to the events as “hate America” protests.
PROTESTS LARGELY PEACEFUL IN MAINE
Saturday’s protests in Maine appeared to be mostly peaceful, though police were seen handcuffing a man counterprotesting on Augusta’s Memorial Bridge just before 2 p.m.
Witnesses said the man told police officers he had a “non-lethal gun,” and police said the man was being detained. The crowd, lining both sides of the bridge, cheered as he was led to a police vehicle. Police also closed the bridge to traffic during the incident.
The man was later seen on the bridge again, yelling “They didn’t arrest me.” Augusta police did not respond Saturday afternoon to a phone message seeking further information.
In Portland, police said no problems arose from the protest, and in Auburn police said they had few issues other than some to-be-expected traffic disruptions. The crowd in Auburn — which organizers estimated to be around 3,000 — coalesced on Longley Bridge and in Great Falls Plaza.
In a region that includes a lot of Republicans, organizer Pat Fogg said, people are starting to rethink their support of President Trump as they start to see the effects of his policies. Fogg cited immigration actions as being of particular concern for her.
The administration has prioritized a crackdown on illegal immigration that has resulted in an increase in detainments and deportations, and critics have raised concerns about negative impacts on communities and the economy as well as legal questions.
“Some people are losing so much,” Fogg said. “I hate seeing people beaten on the street, being pulled off the street, a lot of them citizens, a lot of them innocent.”
Several people at the Auburn protest and other events dressed as frogs and other animals. Around the country, protesters wore animal costumes to express support for a Portland, Oregon, protestor who was pepper sprayed by federal agents at an ICE protest this month while wearing a frog costume.
PORTLAND PROTEST DRAWS THOUSANDS
Protests were planned for more than three dozen communities in Maine on Saturday. By 1:30 p.m. in Portland, a massive crowd had gathered in Deering Oaks park to listen to speeches and live music from anti-Trump speakers and organizations.
“I think people are fired up and inspired to be here in solidarity for a shared purpose, with shared values,” organizer Marie Follayttar said. “We’re claiming our space.”
Follayttar estimated close to 6,000 people attended the Portland protest. Over the course of nearly two hours, she heard nothing but hope from other protestors, she said.
“I’ve heard gratitude,” she said. “I’ve heard that the speakers have been inspiring, and a lot of people want to join in.”
Follayttar also heard stories of pain and fear, she said. “People are worried about the impact of Trump’s actions around the country,” she said. “But there is also joy. It’s a community event.”
Susan Roberts of Portland came to the protest with three friends. She said she felt she had no choice but to attend. “There are too many people in power doing wrong things,” Roberts said.
Naomi Lynch, of Portland, and her sister, Signe Lynch, said the protest was personal for them because they work with underserved populations including the homeless.
It’s “completely common sense” that all Americans should have access to health care, Naomi Lynch said. “But we have a dictator running our country,” she said. “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.”
GOV. MILLS SPEAKS TO CROWD IN AUBURN
Gov. Janet Mills was among attendees at the Auburn rally and spoke to the crowd at Great Falls Plaza. Mills, who recently announced she is running for U.S. Senate, thanked the crowd for taking action and expressed optimism in their cause.
“We’re going to get through this thing,” she said. “We are going to turn Congress around.”
Marlis Whittier, who also attended the Auburn protest, said she was glad to be alongside others who recognize the danger the country is in, and are willing to do something about it.
“I’m glad to be where people have some sense,” she said.
In Portland, as protestors departed late Saturday afternoon still waving their homemade “No Kings” signs, one woman who wanted to remain anonymous said she lost her job under the Trump administration.
But leaving the protest, she felt hopeful. “I’m feeling connected and joyful,” she said.
Staff Writers Hannah Kaufmann and Sydney Richelieu, Editor Ben Bragdon and Staff Photographers Anna Chadwick and Shawn Patrick Ouellette contributed to this report.
