In Lewiston-Auburn, people driving across the Veterans Memorial at noon on Saturdays, or driving down Lisbon Street in Lewiston near Dufresne Plaza at noon on Tuesdays, will have noticed protesters with signs. We are standing in the hot sun demanding due process for all, standing in support of lawfulness, the Constitution and its Bill of Rights, and an executive branch coequal to Congress and the Supreme Court, which has always been the case — until recently. Our signs support kindness above cruelty, the restoration of Medicaid cuts and aid to children and restoration and protection of nutrition benefits and other monies voted for by Congress in March, but now removed — including Medicare counseling support, public television and radio and weather services.

Passersby will notice that so many of us are elders and may wonder why. I think it’s because in that era our teachers so enthusiastically celebrated the structure of our government, the founding of our democracy and the sacrifices Americans went through to defend democracy’s ideals.

So many of us view these assaults on our learned beliefs and values with alarm and outrage. And with suspicion. For example, so much of severe damage from the “big, beautiful bill” is designed to hit after the 2026 midterm elections, so people generally won’t feel it now, but the harmful cuts are coming. Rural hospital cuts start 2026; Medicaid work rules, December 2026; food aid restrictions, late 2026; clean energy credits end mid to late 2026; and affordable housing cuts begin in 2026.

Please join us.

James Cogan
Lewiston