Nineteen Maine human beings and one dog joined the rain-soaked vigil in Saco yesterday as traffic was constantly backed up due to construction on US Highway 1. (In Maine we say there are only two seasons - winter and road construction.)
The Saco and Old Orchard Beach police were out in near full force. Three cop cars in various strategic spots were parked the entire time of the vigil while other police drove their cars back and forth watching us. Luckily they stayed in their cars.
Saco is home to the General Dynamics weapons plant that makes the guidance systems for the bombs the US provides to Israel that are dropped on Gaza and the West Bank. Strangely, the bomb plant is just across the street from an elementary school.
It was pouring rain all morning until just before the 1:30 pm vigil began. On the way there, in our car, I was chanting 'Rain, rain go away. Come back at four o'clock'. Just as we arrived the rain turned to a slow trickle and then later on it nearly stopped.
Part of US Hwy 1 was closed so the north-south route was super congested with traffic. We parked at the Amtrak station so had the pleasure to wave at two different passenger trains passing close by. Even the conductors standing in the doorway waved back. All in all lots of eyes witnessed our vigil and we received loads of honks, waves and cheers. We did get a few middle fingers and a couple drivers rolled down their windows and yelled 'Israel'.
After the vigil we gathered in our usual circle and shared our reasons for coming to the event. The consensus of the group is that we need community - we need to stand in public with our signs and challenge people to think about the genocide happening in Palestine with Washington's full $$$$$$ support. Finally, for all those who were happy to see us it is a visual reminder that they are not alone.
It is our custom to invite folks to have a late lunch with us. We went to the nearby Layalina Middle Eastern Restaurant for some really good food. The owner was quite happy to see us and hear about our vigil.
We've been holding these monthly peace vigils all over the state since early 2022 in different communities. Our next two will be held in:
- Portland (Woodford's Corner intersection) on June 14 at 1:30 pm
- Lubec (Downeast Maine near Canadian border) on July 26 at 1:30 pm
July 27 is also my birthday so we hope folks who come for the vigil can stay the night and help me celebrate the next day. We will work on floor sleeping spaces or you can make an advance reservation at this very quaint former sardine cannery now called the Inn at the Wharf. Be in touch if interested.
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| Lubec, Maine |
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| Quoddy Head State park near Lubec |
Hope to see you at these upcoming events.
Bruce
~ Photos by MB Sullivan and Lisa Savage
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