L.L. Bean Campaign Goes National
Third Act Maine Ramps up Pressure on the Outfitter's Citibank Credit Card
Two years ago, Bill Rixon, Third Act Maine volunteer, began standing out with his large homemade "Protect Mother Earth" sign at the L.L. Bean flagship store and corporate headquarters in Freeport. Twice a week he was there - urging the iconic outfitter to end its credit card relationship with Citibank, the biggest funder of fossil fuel expansion in the world. Soon Bill was joined by other Third Act Mainers.
The only responses were a brief conversation and an email from CEO Stephen Smith early on, but since then, L.L. Bean management has been silent.
Then, on May 1st, Vanessa Arcara, president of national Third Act, sent a letter to Stephen Smith, L.L. Bean CEO, asking the company to change credit cards. The letter was endorsed by 48 global, national and Maine-based climate-friendly organizations, representing over two million people. She asked him to meet with Third Act Maine representatives.
Once again there was no response.
So - bright and early on the morning of June 6th, dozens of Third Act Mainers kicked off a national campaign with a standout at the corporate headquarters. Raising signs and banners high, they waved at passing motorists who often waved back. “How great it was to see L.L. Bean employees wave at us and honk their horns in support as they turned into the company parking lot,” said Molly Schen, Third Act Maine co-coordinator. It was a cheerful, exuberant event. Small groups also went to the flagship store and outlet in Freeport, as well as the outlet in Bangor, to speak with store managers and give them a copy of the letter. The standout attracted coverage from Maine Public and WGME.
Across the country, the word was out: L.L. Bean needs to change. And now reports are coming in, as Third Actors in other states protest and visit their local L.L. Bean store with concerns.
Dynamic Spring at Augusta State House
With so many challenges to clean energy coming out of Washington, DC, climate activists worked hard to convince Maine legislators to commit to clean energy for all families and businesses.
On May 22nd, more than 100 Mainers from across the state gathered in Augusta for Power Maine Forward: Clean Energy Day of Action. It was a spirited day of chanting “Clean Energy Now” down the halls of the state house, meeting with legislators and lobbying for 100 percent clean energy by 2040.
Organized by the Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM), along with Third Act Maine and many other partner organizations, the event was an inspirational call to action that helped move climate bills out of committee on the same day.
Status of Bills
Clean Energy by 2040: Bill LD 1868 passed out of committee and is headed for a vote in the House and Senate this week. Email your legislators today and urge them to support a clean energy future. The bill sets a goal of 100% clean electricity by 2040, expanding Maine’s existing renewable standard to 90% by 2040, and creating a new category of clean resources to compete for the remaining 10% of the energy supply.
Climate Superfund/Make Polluters Pay: LD 1870 has been carried over to the next legislative session that begins in January. The bill, which received great support from activists, would hold fossil fuel companies accountable for the climate crisis. It would require them to pay their share toward financing projects that protect Maine residents and businesses from the impacts of extreme weather caused by climate change. (See Sue Inches Op Ed in Maine Trust for Local News here) We will be watching what happens with lawsuits against other states with superfunds.
You Can Help: Join with Maine Conservation Voters to urge legislators to pass LD 1868 and LD 1270 which would establish a cabinet-level Department of Energy Resources for the state of Maine.
Talking Climate Finances in South Paris
At the Center for an Ecology-Based Economy (CEBE) in South Paris, Tom Mikulka, Third Act Maine co-chair, gave a presentation on the significant role of the financial industry in contributing to climate change. He focused on the industry's impact on the carbon footprint of corporations, like L.L. Bean, and individuals. The takeaway message was to think globally and switch to local Maine banks that do not finance fossil fuel projects.
MainePERS Board Meets in Portland
The MainePERS Board of Trustees will hold its next meeting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 12, in Portland, in the Fisher Meeting Room on the second floor of the One City Center Building. Demonstrators are welcome to participate! The meeting will be available via webinar.
In May members of Third Act Central Maine and Divest Maine protested outside the MainePERS building in Augusta, once again prodding the Board of Trustees to obey the law and divest retirees’ stocks from fossil fuels. A letter by Third Act Mainer Richard Thomas in the Waterville Sentinel and Lewiston Sun Journal urged retirees to contact the Board.
Planning for No Kings Day
On Saturday, June 14, people throughout the country will participate in No Kings Day, rejecting the authoritarianism of President Trump. Where will you be? Here’s a list of Maine venues:
Western Mountains Nonviolent Training
Twenty members of the Western Mountains Hub met in early June for a training session on dealing with ICE and for an update on people at risk in the Farmington area. Doug Rawlings reviewed best practices and principles of nonviolent action with the group. The Hub plans to join the No Kings Protest at noon on Saturday, June 14, in Farmington.
Western Mountains Hub, in partnership with Veterans for Peace, continues to stand out every Friday during the noon hour near the post office against the actions of the federal administration.
Collaborative Efforts
An intergenerational letter, “Maine Needs a Climate Superfund,” by Jackson Chadwick of Maine Youth for Climate Justice and Richard Thomas of Third Act Maine was published by the Portland Press Herald on May 21st. Learn more—and see their letter—here.
We need more members to help out. Just as our democracy is on life support our climate is fast approaching tipping points of no return. Grandpa, what were you doing to stop catastrophic global warming?
Nice work!