Organizing Notes

Bruce Gagnon is coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space. He offers his own reflections on organizing and the state of America's declining empire....

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Location: Brunswick, ME, United States

The collapsing US military & economic empire is making Washington & NATO even more dangerous. US could not beat the Taliban but thinks it can take on China-Russia-Iran...a sign of psychopathology for sure. We must all do more to help stop this western corporate arrogance that puts the future generations lives in despair. @BruceKGagnon

Saturday, March 18, 2023

March 18 'No war with Russia' protest in Maine

 

Click on the photos for better view. Pictures by MB Sullivan
 
















We had 50 folks come from all over Maine today to our protest in conjunction with the national event at the White House in Washington.

We met at a very busy intersection in Westbrook (near Portland). It was attended by people from six political parties in the state. (Maine Green Independent Party, Communist Party of Maine, Libertarian Party, Portland Republican Party, People's Party of Maine, and Party for Socialism & Liberation of Maine.)

We had a steady and huge amount of honks, waves and peace signs from the cars passing by. Everyone was really pumped by the experience. We all agreed that the 'worm is turning' and that the public (all across the political landscape) is not happy about the Biden administration and Congress funneling $113 billion to the proxy war in Ukraine that is aimed at Russia (and soon China as well).

We had a good mix of all ages at the event - something that has been a long time coming in Maine as the peace movement here has been aging.

We had a final closing circle and invited people to share why they had come. It was very moving to hear those present applaud for the speakers from various political parties. I made sure to make the point that there are good people in all the parties and political organizations and we must resist the 'divide and conquer' efforts by the corporate oligarchs that run our country.

Today was a great example of what is indeed possible if we try with good faith and a cooperative spirit to work together. We can come together in solidarity. We don't have to agree with each other on every single issue. But today was a resounding call that we must oppose this suicidal US-NATO permanent war path.

More to come. Stay tuned.

Keep paddling.

Bruce

PS Try as we might we did not get every single person into a photo. We are sorry for that.

Update: We have decided to hold another no war event at the busy intersection in Topsham, Maine on Saturday, April 15 at 1:30 pm. This is very near the Hwy 295 Topsham exit. The intersection is on the corner of Hwys 196 & 201. Lee Toyota is on one of the corners. 

6 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

"We?" Not me not you! The rulers and henchmen
of the empire are the war criminals!

3/18/23, 9:15 PM  
Blogger Regis said...

Good effort, but it must be kept up...daily...like our friends in Gangjeong, Jeju Island, Paris, Berlin, Spain, Netherlands...got to keep the pressure on with boots in the streets. Admiration and solidarity with all of you.
Regis

3/19/23, 4:29 AM  
Blogger Lisa Savage said...

From one of the national organizations that called this action:

"After the March 18 protest, we ask you to join with UNAC to build strong local and regional action during the week of April 15 – 22."

Let's go, Maine!

3/19/23, 9:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I had no advance notice to show up! Pls RSVP into list...thx!

3/22/23, 9:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hope see u topham? What sign ideas u have? May mine b a tax day jeremiad?

3/22/23, 9:55 PM  
Blogger Bruce K. Gagnon said...

Anonymous,
If you send me an email at globalnet@mindspring.com with your name I can make sure you get emails in the future about all such events.

Yes, good idea to tie the next protest sign to tax day. We really need to talk more about stopping the war funding to Ukraine which is now more than $113 billion so far.

Don't we have serious needs here rather than pushing WW3 with China and Russia?

3/23/23, 7:51 AM  

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