AUGUSTA — By all accounts, the country is beset with political strife, partisan fighting and divisions among people of all personalities and persuasions.

But in the small city of Augusta on Sunday, in a quiet park along the Kennebec River, there was none of that. No protesting, no counter protests, no shouting, no police.

In fact, the 200 or so people who turned out at Mill Park on Water Street for the Love is Louder rally were celebrating. They were focusing on what unites, rather than divides us.

Organized by a group of community organizations and interfaith groups, the nonpartisan, nonpolitical event featured live music, speeches, free food and friendship. It operated on the premise that the things that bring a community together are more important than those that tear it apart.

“In my view,” said keynote speaker William Stokes, “hate will always lose to the goodness of love because love is, indeed, louder and more powerful.”

Stokes, a superior court justice and former Augusta mayor, councilor and school board member, said he rejects the notion that we are a divided people. He spoke about moving to Augusta 43 years ago with his wife and growing to love a city whose residents worked tirelessly to help improve it and the lives of its residents.

“Partisans have tried to create the image of us as divided against each other,” he said. “But I believe that we, as a people, share much more in common than the partisans want you to believe. I believe that the good and the kind, the civil and the respectful, the men and the women of integrity and honesty, are in every community in our nation.”

What started as a sunny day with temperatures in the low 50s turned cloudy for a time. Midway through Stokes’ speech, hail started pelting the grass and pavement, driving spectators under the open pavilion.

David Offer and Raegan LaRochelle, who work with the committee that organized the first such rally two years ago, said members decided it was time for another one. Offer, former president of Temple Beth El and former executive editor of the Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal, said about 300 attended in 2023. LaRochelle is a former state representative.

Organizations that help people were lined along the perimeter of the pavilion where representatives greeted people, handed out literature and answered questions. They included New Mainers, Recovery Action Project, Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center, Assistance Plus, The Augusta Overnight Warming Center, Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition and Disability Rights Maine.

Efrain Ferrusca, 44, of Augusta, spoke, saying he moved to Augusta from Mexico City in 2006, didn’t know anyone and was “kind of in shock” as he didn’t see any hispanics or people from different cultures. It was difficult at first, he said.

But the new Mainer whose native culture is Purepecha, said he gradually acclimated, formed friendships and became part of the community. He has a family, works as a contractor building homes, owns two apartment buildings and coaches junior varsity soccer. He also works with New Mainers to ensure newcomers have safe housing, he said.

“No matter who you are or where you are in life, it’s important that you help people, and it doesn’t matter what the political issues,” he said afterward.

Holding a green and white sign bearing the words, “Love is Louder,” Rita Pello, 35, of Augusta, was dancing to the music. The school board member said seeing people come together and dance, offer home cooked desserts and enjoy the day is what it’s all about.

“It’s just showing that I care about you, you care about me, and we’re going to get through this together,” Pello said.

Peter Garrett, 81, of Winslow and a Quaker, said he learned about the rally from a friend at Vassalboro Friends Meeting, which he attends. Garrett came to the U.S. from England many years ago and his father was a doctor who treated leprosy patients in Nigeria, where Garrett was born. He remembered his father helping to draw the patients in and help them feel at home so there would be enough patients to develop a hospital, which did happen.

Garrett, who holds a PhD in geology from Johns Hopkins University, said reaching out to others, as was the goal of Sunday’s rally, is important.

“There are times in history where all seems confusion, and there are people who bring hope in those times,” he said.

A retired hydrogeologist and founder of Kennebec Messalonskee Trails, Garrett recalled helping to form the Waterville-Kotlas (Russia) Sister City connection in the 1980s that created friendships between Russians and Waterville area residents. They became like family, traveling back and forth to each others’ countries, taking part in cultural exchanges and forming strong bonds.

Garrett became emotional when he said both sides no longer stay in touch, as Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed at the start of the Ukraine War that anyone calling it a war would be jailed.

“We decided we couldn’t ever risk mentioning what he was calling ‘limited military engagement,'” Garrett said, adding that he hopes things change.

“I’ve kind of got my fingers crossed that something will happen that will mean this era of upset is over,” said Garrett, who traveled to Russia four times.

As the rally continued on into the afternoon, Offer was milling among the crowd, greeting old and new friends.

“I’m very pleased,” he said. “People seem happy and they’re celebrating good stuff. And that’s wonderful.”