With the war between Iran and the United States and Israel stretching toward its second month, peace and civil rights activists have organized March 28 as No Kings National Day of Nonviolent Action, and are calling on Americans nationwide to protest against what they call anti-democratic federal policies.
In Oxford Hills, the No Kings rally will take place on the corner of Main and Fair streets at the Norway/Paris town line and next to Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. It is one of more than 40 planned across Maine.
The No Kings movement’s website estimates that thousands of protests will be held within the United States. Organizers expect more than 9 million people to participate.
The No Kings protest held Oct. 18 in Oxford Hills attracted 700 people and about 500 turned out for a No Kings protest June 14 at Longley Square in Norway.
Tobie Akerley Gordon, of Paris, a spokesperson for Western Maine Take Action, is helping organize the March 28 rally.
“It is clear, given the hundreds of people who have turned out for the first two No Kings events in Oxford Hills, that our community is tired of President Trump’s tyranny,” said Akerley Gordon. “March 28 is more than just a day or a couple of hours. It’s about building relationships across all walks of life and using them to send a united message: ‘We don’t do dictators or kings in America.’”
Locally, activists are going a step beyond protest by organizing a community food drive at the high school parking lot before and after the rally and a pop-up pantry the next day at The HILLS Recovery Center at 15 Tannery St. in Norway.
Nonperishable food and personal care items may be dropped off at the high school on Saturday, March 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 1:30-5 p.m.
The pop-up pantry is Sunday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is open to anyone to take whatever they need.
More rally information and a full list of partnering organizations may be found at nokings.org.
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