On March 1, close to 400 people gathered on the Newcastle/Damariscotta bridge to protest the Trump/Musk dismantling of the federal government, the unconstitutional way in which this is being carried out, the attempts to circumvent the rule of law, the impending assault on Medicaid and other programs essential to the majority of Mainers, and the betrayal of Ukraine.

Hundreds of handmade signs lined the street on both sides of the road. Thirty Ukrainian flags flew from the bridge railings. Chants of “this is what democracy looks like” rose above a backdrop of drumming and car horns blown in support of the demonstration.

The Damariscotta Police Department, forewarned about the rally by Lincoln County Indivisible (one of the organizers), provided a cheerful presence at this peaceful and overwhelmingly joyful event at which so many in our local community came together to express outrage at what is happening in our country, and to demonstrate an increasing willingness to take action to defend the core American values.

As I write this on Sunday morning, a little over 12 hours after a short video of the rally was put up on Facebook, the video has already been viewed over 13,000 times, with the views increasing at a rate of over 1,000 an hour, and with messages of support coming in from around the world. Our little community in midcoast Maine is a beacon of hope for many.

The hundreds who gathered on the Newcastle/Damariscotta bridge sent a clear message to Trump and Musk: If they think people will be cowed into a state of apathy they are sadly mistaken. Trump and Musk have poked a slumbering giant that is just now beginning to stir in Maine and throughout the country.

Nigel Calder

Newcastle