Two local grassroots efforts have sprung up this week in Camden, one to unite women, minorities and LGBTQ people, the other specifically to champion women.

The informal group, Stand Up Speak Out, is holding a peaceful protest march starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 40 Washington Street in Camden, in the public parking lot that the farmer's market uses.

“This is a gathering to show support for women, minorities, LGBTQ people and others who frightened to speak out and in fear for their safety,” said 19-year-old spokesperson Yanmei McElhaney. “This is not a group to protest Donald Trump; instead, it’s to show a group of people who are suffering that we stand with them. It’s important that we unite as a community with a peaceful protest.”

The gathering has a Facebook event indicating more than 200 people are interested in showing up, with 90 people confirming they will. The group has been working with Camden police to ensure that there will be no altercations. 

The Facebook page said the march will continue to downtown Camden.

Jess Small, co-organizer of a Midcoast chapter of the larger Pantsuit Nation Maine chapter also has an event planned that Saturday at 2 p.m. to provide a discussion for women, including trans-women, genderqueer women, and non-binary people who are significantly female-identified. (Note: at the time of this story, the second event has been filled to capacity and cannot accommodate any more sign ups.)

“While the discussion isn't affiliated with the peaceful protest happening earlier that day, I think it's great that so many people are feeling motivated towards positive action,” said Small. “The intent of this discussion is to create a safe space for women to talk to each other. It was what I felt I needed after the election results, and I assumed that other women might feel the same. The response to the event has been immense, much bigger than I could have imagined. It's really inspiring to see so many women wanting to come together and support each other. The plan is to allow the group to dictate what comes next, and I’m very excited to see what that is.”

There will also be a smaller gathering Thursday, 6 p.m., Nov. 17, at Zoot in downtown Camden for an informal discussion about ways the community can work to negate negativity and discrimination while cultivating empathy for different points of view, organizers said.

“This is our chance to step up in a positive way and to share local and national resources we can support moving forward,” they said. People are invited to that, as well.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com