Outrage Turns into Action
Third Act Mainers fight back with energy
It has been more than six long weeks since the Trump/Musk administration launched its assault on democracy. They’ve used every tool in the book to overwhelm, confuse, and demoralize us. But it isn’t working! Not here, not ever. Third Act Mainers were everywhere in the past month, and their energy was amazing. They joined concerned groups of citizens, standing out with hand-painted signs that were repainted when the news from Washington became more bizarre. They stood out in ice-cold weather and when a storm was on the horizon. They joined hundreds of other Mainers and millions throughout the country to defend the Constitution.
Here are stories from TAM Hubs:
Central Maine
Central Maine Hub actively focused on defending democracy. Hub members attended a big rally at the State House, a smaller gathering outside Senator Susan Collins' office in Augusta, two demonstrations near Tesla chargers at the Waterville Elm Plaza, and a “Dump Trump” rally with 50 other protesters on downtown Main Street in Waterville. The Hub is coordinating with Indivisible. They’re emailing, calling political representatives, and writing letters to the editor.
Western Mountains
Well over 200 concerned citizens rallied at a standout organized by Western Mountains Third Act on March 1 in downtown Farmington. Protesters were greeted frequently with beeping horns and waves from passersby. There were very few dissenters. Protest participants cited reasons for standing up: "I'm very frightened and angry for our democracy" - Wendy; "We have to speak. Silence is capitulation" - Ellen; "I'm a queer woman, and I have a non-binary child.” - Sara. FMI about actions, contact western-mountains-third-act@googlegroups.com or 207-860-0057.
Lincoln County
Wednesdays at noon are demonstration times on the Damariscotta/Newcastle bridge. When the gathering of democracy advocates began several weeks ago, only a handful of folks participated. After Trump and Musk took a chain saw to the federal work force, 400+ people showed up. TAM was joined by Indivisible, Maine Dems and other groups. “This is the new normal, and for the sake of future generations and all life on this beautiful planet, if we want a fighting chance, the time to show up is NOW” - TAM member Marnie Sinclair. Next action: Wednesday, March 12, noon at the Damariscotta/Newcastle Bridge.
Greater Portland
Greater Portland TAM members protested in Augusta and in Monument Square week after week. Television interviews and meeting a woman, 80+ with her granddaughters, were highlights. “I think you would have your gas tank partly refilled by this raucous group of mostly elders. It was lots of fun and my batteries are recharged.” - TAM member Tom Mikulka after the March 1 standout.
On February 23rd, ten members of Third Act Maine sang their way into the Portland office of Senator Collins. They met with her representative and expressed grave concerns about the powerful senator’s deafening silence on cuts to federal services, veterans, and USAID.
They presented a letter to Collins, pressing her to:
Speak out against the arbitrary cruelty of Elon Musk’s unconstitutional actions
Speak out to defend the Constitution and Congress’s power of the purse
Lead efforts to build coalitions with Republican and Democratic senators against cuts of crucial programs and grants
Schedule a Town Hall Meeting with constituents to hear questions and concerns.
Upcoming actions: Every Saturday, 11 am - noon, Monument Square
Making Fossil Fuel Companies Pay
This year Maine has a chance to pass a groundbreaking piece of climate legislation that would make polluters pay to help protect communities from the climate crisis. It’s pretty simple: Maine would create a Climate Superfund and fine big oil and gas companies to pay for the damage they caused. The money would also be used to fund projects that protect communities from storms, floods, and rising sea levels.
Big oil companies such as Exxon, Chevron, and Shell have known for decades that more fossil fuels would mean fiercer storms, more floods, homes destroyed, and lives lost. It’s time to join Vermont and New York in holding polluters accountable.
Devastating storms have already impacted cities and towns across Maine. It’s only a matter of time before the next climate disaster comes. If polluters aren’t the ones paying for the damage, that leaves the people of Maine on the hook - again and again and again.
You can support the Make Polluters Pay Act proposal by contacting Governor Mills and state legislators. Please also sign a petition here.
The Climate Superfund is a 2025 priority action of Maine’s Environmental Priorities Coalition, a statewide alliance of 39 conservation, climate action, and public health organizations.
Using Our Voices
TAM’s Dick Thomas is heading a special Letter to the Editor group. About three times each week, he sends out articles about the climate or democracy that have appeared in Maine newspapers. Members can send a letter in response to the newspaper. They can get editing assistance and advice from other group members. FMI, email Dick (richardmacomberthomas@gmail.com).
Third Act National has also launched a Letter to the Editor campaign called The Legacy Project. You can participate with this message: “I’m X years old, and I’ve never seen an attack on our democracy like this.” You then can write a paragraph about the profound differences you have seen. Send the letter to an editor of a local paper or post it on social media. TAM Co-coordinator Molly Schen reports it’s a great tool: “I just wrote a brief LTE (150 words). Poof, it's off!”
The antidote for despair is action. Take action by calling Senator Collins’ office and Senator King’s office, as well as your other representatives. Make it part of your daily routine. Not sure what to say? The website 5 Calls simplifies the process.
Imagining the future
“Designs for Living in a Changing Climate,” a poster exhibit at the Portland Public Library through March, reimagines future neighborhoods, working waterfronts, and infrastructure in Portland, South Portland and the Casco Bay Islands. The exhibit, on the library’s lower level, is the work of students and professors in architecture, landscape architecture, city planning, and environmental justice at eight universities. Each university team took on different challenges for sea level projections of 1.5 ft by 2050 and 4 ft by 2100. Posters range from floating breakwaters that buffer storm surge to rain gardens that manage storm water along Franklin Arterial.
Events of Note
Maine Conservation Voters have scheduled online Lunch and Learn programs on Fridays from noon - 1 pm. On March 7 the focus will be “Climate Action in Uncertain Times.” On March 28 the topic is “The Future of Transit.” Reservations needed.
On Saturday, April 6, 1-4 pm at 1 Forest Ave, Portland, Third Act Mainer, Dridhajyoti, an ordained Buddhist, will lead “Building Resilience During Challenging Times: Guided Meditation and Conversational Cafe.” To reserve (required): AmySeltzman.Tinkle@gmail.com
Embracing Hope
In times like these, Hope is everything.
The hopelessness of despair has always been the wall that the indefensible hides behind.
With Hope, a different outcome is possible.
Hope is your strength.
Please be strong for all of us.
(Inspired by Penzeys Spices)
The Newcastle/Damariscotta bridge demonstrations against Trump's regime are at 11 - noon. Many showed up today, even in the rain!!