The goal of Indivisible Cumberland County states: “Through the actions we take to protect our democracy, Indivisible Cumberland County builds community to protect and uphold each other by sharing our resources and skills with each other, and other vulnerable communities. Indivisible Cumberland County exists to match people with people, actions and groups to empower them to participate in our democracy.” They are concerned about the decisions that are being made in the current administration and how it is affecting the people of our country.

Author and former Representative, Tom Allen was the moderator for the event and opened the floor to questions and comments. Allen announced that the focus of the event would be on messages that participants would like to see delivered to Senator Susan Collins, since many people see her as a key figure in negotiations between the U.S. Congress and the new administration. Allen said everyone’s comments would be recorded, and attempts would be made to deliver them to Senator Collins’ office.

The first commenter introduced herself as a woman who immigrated to the United States from Africa decades ago, then became a citizen and raised her children in this country, where they are all now contributing to this country as professionals in their fields. She spoke eloquently against the negative attitudes which many people have been expressing lately toward immigrants and Africans.”

She also described the devastating effects which the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs has had in Africa, and in developing countries around the world. She closed with an appeal for Senator Collins to find her Christian moral compass and start pushing for the U.S. government to support large scale humanitarian relief efforts.

Speakers of all ages and backgrounds came forward: teachers, health care professionals, veterans, farmers, attorneys, retirees, business owners, parents, students and legal immigrants. As concerned citizens, they shared worries about attacks on the stability of Social Security, Medicare/ caid, job security, putting food on the table, finding affordable housing, keeping their children safe as well as the health of the planet. The fear that our democracy is in real peril was acknowledged by all.

One speaker questioned how any of this was benefitting Maine and Senator Collins’ constituents. A college student questioned, “What is the world that you want to create?” Parents spoke with concerns and worries about their handicapped or gay children. Some people just questioned how they could afford to pay their student loans or get health insurance. Several expressed worries about their families and neighbors.

One participant said, “Throughout the evening I was struck by the level of fear, sadness, despair and anger that members of our community are feeling. These are Americans and Mainers who just want their government to represent the ideals that America has always represented.”