The cloudy skies and threat of rain did not prevent or overshadow thousands of Mainers from turning out for the Hands Off! Rally and March that took place in Augusta, Portland, and many other locations in Maine on Saturday, April 5.

It was heartening and galvanizing to be part of a crowd of around 4,000 at the State Capitol that showed up to be seen and be heard in protest against Trump and his henchpeople with a loud and clear message: Hands off everything that matters and stop with the whole scale destruction of our democracy, government institutions, and the global economic order! 

It was inspiring and uplifting to be among people of all ages holding their creative, clever, and compelling signs, with messages such as "It's Not Right or Left; It's Right or Wrong"; "Gut Fish, Not People!", and "The only minority destroying this country are the billionaires". The many thousand present cheered loudly and waved signs in response to calls for action by speakers such as Representative Vallie Geiger and Erin Oberson with National Nurses United.

A few agile and risk averse protesters climbed up into the trees with their signs to get a better view. There were many flags - American, Canadian, Ukrainian, and Palestinian - being proudly carried. Musicians playing trumpets and other instruments accompanied raucous renditions of singing "We Shall Overcome" and other protest tunes.

Participants with cowbells, drums, buckets, and other rhythm makers helped to energize the peaceful protest march.

As we walked, folks with megaphones led chants of "Tell me what democracy looks like? This is what democracy looks like!" and "Hey-hey, ho-ho, Trump and Musk have got to go".

The police on duty helped to direct traffic and, along with the volunteer marshals, helped ensure the safety of the thousands of us marching. Across the State, the country, and the world, We The People showed up and peacefully, powerfully, and persuasively made our voices and demands heard.

As the Greek poet, Dinos Christianopoulos wrote, "They tried to bury us, but they didn't know we were seeds."

Karin Lockwood lives in Rockport