Banging the drum for No Kings in Rockland
Approximately 2,300 protesters filled Chapman Park in Rockland at noon today, rallying against the current presidential administration and its policies and politics.
Many of the protestors met earlier at 11 a.m. just over a mile away at the Hannaford parking lot, and marched along the Broadway sidewalk, joined at various intersections by more protestors. They all eventually gathered at the downtown park for 90 minutes before marching back toward the Knox County Court House at 2 p.m. to wind down their protest.
It was No Kings Day across the country and Rockland's protest was part of a series of Midcoast, as well as national and global, gatherings — more than 3,000, according to USA Today.
The crowd in Rockland was peaceful and cheerful, waving at the cars going by, some of which were honking with encouragement at the protestors. At times they sang, or chanted, and raised their placards high into the air. Some slipped into nearby coffee houses to get a snack. Others watched from nearby sidewalks as the late March sun warmed the still winter-like air.
Rockland Police — 22 officers on duty — helped citizens across the busy intersections, or they patroled in vehicles along the protest paths, maintaining public safety throughout the event.

