Approximately 100 people turned out Saturday morning, October 18, to happily declare allegiance to the United States and loudly denounce the actions of President Trump.  

Gathering a little before 10 a.m. in the Islesboro Municipal Office’s parking lot, the young, old and in-between attendance rivaled or exceeded many official town meetings. Some clad in frog costumes, others wearing or carrying flags, nearly everyone carrying a No Kings sign of some sort, people clearly expressed the sentiment that excessively aggressive executive orders, use of federal military in US cities, illegal manipulation of Congressionally-approved funds and numerous other actions by the current President are unacceptable in a democracy loved and cherished by islanders since the Boston Tea Party.

Before marching from the Municipal Office complex to the Community Center, Arch Gilles drew applause and cheers with his brief speech. He began, “I am 91,” to a roar of approval. He then described many times US citizens had participated in meaningful protests since the end of World War II: free speech rallies at Berkeley in the fifties, civil rights marches and union workers strikes in the sixties, actions against the Vietnam War in the seventies and demonstrations for women’s rights in the seventies and eighties.

Gillies ended, saying, “I believe that as people gather today and are engaged and committed to the founding values of this nation, we can and should say, ‘We shall overcome’ and ‘No kings.’”

Ann Bertulli read a heartfelt poem that described her concerns about the current state of democracy in the US, feelings shared by those in attendance.

The half-mile march to the Community Center and back stretched long but met with vehicle horns sounding approval. While pausing at the island’s main intersection by Community Park, protesters spontaneously sang the Woody Guthrie lyrics, “This land is your land, this land is my land, this land was made for you and me.”

The upbeat atmosphere continued with free freshly pressed apple cider from the Islesboro Central School orchard available upon return to the Municipal Office parking lot.

Maine Islands still possess strong community values – people helping neighbors, sharing good times and grief, working (and protesting) together to benefit everyone – and Islesboro illustrated that well this Saturday morning.

But the uplifting comradery appeared to be somewhat tempered by the reminder that, though the No Kings protests across the country and here on Islesboro sent a clear message, we still have a long way yet to go.