I am disappointed and angered by the coverage of the “No Kings” protests around the state. I was in Freeport in the morning and in Bath in the afternoon. Both rallies were well attended (an estimated 1,000-2,000 in Freeport and over 2,500 in Bath). People were enthusiastic, friendly and peaceful.

There was joy and unity as we smiled and chatted together. Yet the unbalanced coverage of the event in Freeport gave false equivalency to the lone MAGA counter-protester and a small GOP meeting down the street with a mere 100 people. Why even mention it?

The focus should have been on Mainers exercising their First Amendment rights and speaking out against a government that a majority of Americans think is heading in the wrong direction (toward authoritarianism) and is incompetent, corrupt and unjust. Over 30 separate events were happening all over the state in solidarity with other protests around the country and globe.

I wasn’t at the protests in Portland or Augusta, so I can’t speak to the accuracy of the paper’s coverage of those events. However, reporters apparently amplified minuscule counterprotests and minimal violence while missing the real story.

Today’s protests are newsworthy because Mainers are worried about our democracy and country and cared enough to make their dissent known. This is something that should be celebrated without watering it down into “both-siding” the issues and false equivalencies. Mainers want to trust our local media. We deserve better than the inept reporting demonstrated by your coverage of Maine’s No Kings protests. Do better.

Kate Bradford
Phippsburg