Members of the local artistic social movement known as The Audacity are holding a mass meeting, a public-square sing-out of protest songs, and a march to the Knox County Courthouse Saturday, March 1, as part of the statewide 16 Counties for Courage day of action. 

"Members of the public who support democracy and who oppose the turn toward authoritarianism, bigotry, and corruption in America are invited to join," the organizers said, in a news release.

Part 1 of the day on March 1 begins at 10 a.m. with a mass meeting at the First Universalist Church, 345 Broadway, in Rockland.

"During the Civil Rights Movement, meetings were held right before actions, and we'll follow that lead," the release said. "These in-person mass meetings are essential not only to move people into action, but also to get people connected to planning and to get new organizing ideas rolling."

"Everything that The Audacity is doing happened because somebody said ‘someone ought to,’ and then somebody stepped forward to make it happen," said James Cook, of Rockport, and who is facilitator of The Audacity. "If you've got an idea, bring it to the meeting."

The meeting is not sponsored by the First Universalist Church; The Audacity has rented the space, organizers said.

Part 2 of the day continues at noon as The Audacity gathers in Chapman Park in Rockland to sing songs of protest, resistance, freedom, and a better world.

Public-square singing follows the Estonian Singing Revolution model,  "and we will teach and learn new songs from one another this and every Saturday at noon," the release said.

Part 3 of the day involves a transition at 12:30 p.m. with a nonviolent, non-obstructionist march to the Knox County Courthouse at 62 Union Street. 

The Knox County Courthouse, two blocks from Chapman Park, is the local seat of government and therefore a fitting place for citizens to peaceably assemble and petition for redress of grievances, as is their First Amendment right, organizers said.

As the assembled march from Chapman Park to the Courthouse, they will sing Joshua Blaine's song of inclusion:

"No one is getting left behind this time

"No one is getting left behind

"No one is getting left behind this time

"We get there together or never get there at all

When assembled at the steps of the courthouse, members of The Audacity will read aloud the offenses against the nation by the forces of authoritarianism, bigotry, and corruption in the first month of the new administration, the release said.  Video and a text transcription of this reading will be sent to Maine’s elected federal representatives.

The Audacity is a new local group that formed in January to plan and implement creative collective action to counter the erosion of democracy, equity, and inclusion in the U.S.  

"The group works together across differences in philosophy, values, and methods within a broad commitment to nonviolent resistance," the release said. "All members of the public who support democracy and who oppose the current turn toward bigotry, corruption, exclusion, and authoritarianism are welcome to join the group online at audacitycat.com or by emailing contact@audacitycat.com."