Also seen at #PortlandME 's #April19th rally. Signs with #PrincessLeia / #GeneralLeia and #Resistance, and one with a cut out for a face that read, "Resistance Bitch Face"!

So, someone commented on hubby's BlueSky post that the #April19th #PortlandME rally was BIGGER than the #April5th rally (it was getting bigger as we were leaving at a little after 1pm...)

Some great photos of the #PortlandME #April19th protest! Leave it to #MainePublic to have some great coverage!

Thousands return to Portland as part of another day of rallies across Maine

Maine Public | By Nicole Ogrysko
Published April 19, 2025 at 5:15 PM EDT

"Thousands of people gathered in Monument Square in Portland Saturday to protest what they say are threats to democracy, human rights and the U.S. Constitution from the Trump administration.

"The rally was one of many that took place in more than a dozen towns across Maine and organized as part of a national day of action by groups across the state."

Read more / view photos:
https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2025-04-19/thousands-return-to-portland-as-part-of-another-day-of-rallies-across-maine

#Protesters rally in #PortlandME, advocating for protection of rights amid Trump tensions

Story by Allyson Lapierre, WGME

PORTLAND, Maine (WGME) -- "Making their voices be heard on a day of #revolution, a rally on Saturday pays tribute to the #250thAnniversary of the 'shot heard around the world,' a day that marks the start of the Revolutionary War.

" 'They’re taking away my Social Security and my #MaineCare away from me...which side are you on?' Olivia McDermott, who has #DownSyndrome, said.

"McDermott came to advocate for herself and others who have #disabilities who depend on #SocialSecurity and #Medicaid.

" 'I get really upset that this is happening to me and other people with #disabilities. They go to school like this, and I don’t want people to feel uncomfortable about it,' McDermott said.

"Olivia's mom, Maura Mcdermott, is a #SpecialEducationTeacher. She's worried the $Trump administration could take away those benefits.

" 'We need to not cut the services. We need to expand #MedicaidForAll people, and we need to #TaxTheRich. Enough of this,' Maura said.

"Other protestors voiced concerns about state politics, specifically about Maine senators.

" '#SusanCollins had better vote 'no, no, no' to the #SAVEAct because those are all voting rights, and we need voting for next election,' Nina McKee, a Scarborough resident, said.

"Despite the anniversary of the #AmericanRevolution, protesters on Saturday said there's little to feel #patriotic about.

" 'I can’t even express the need for us to stand up against what is happening in our country. It is beyond consumption,' McKee said.

" 'There’s no good thing going on right now, so any change is for the better,' Duncan Potter, a Brunswick resident, said."

Source:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/protesters-rally-in-portland-advocating-for-protection-of-rights-amid-trump-tensions/ar-AA1Df4zJ

Very cool! Hubby's photos were linked in The Guardian! (He had posted them to Bluesky and tagged #50501Movement)

Protesters fill the streets in cities across the US to denounce Trump agenda

Organizers call for 11 million people to march and rally in this weekend’s effort to ‘#ProtectDemocracy’

by Robert Tait and Edward Helmore, April 19, 2025

"Opponents of Donald Trump’s administration mobilized from the east coast to the west, including at rallies in #PortlandMaine, and #PortlandOregon, decrying what they see as threats to the nation’s democratic ideals."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/19/anti-trump-rallies-protests

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/hoXQe

[Thread] Photos from the #PortlandME #April19th rally at #MonumentSquare. When we arrived at Noon, there was already a decent crowd. By the time we left at 1pm, more folks were streaming in (and it got a bit loud and overwhelming for me). But it was a good crowd, and we received lots of support from those driving by as well.

We just got back from the #PortlandME #April19th rally at #MonumentSquare. Wow! Lots of good energy, lots of great signs. Hubby took some cool pics that are already catching fire on Bluesky. I'll be posting his pics and mine shortly.

#MaineResists!