People stand on the Damariscotta-Newcastle bridge during a rally in support of constitutional rights Sunday, March 19. (Maia Zewert photo)
Almost 50 people gathered on the Damariscotta-Newcastle bridge for a rally to support constitutional rights Sunday, March 19.
The rally, organized by Eleanor Cade Busby and Daphne Lehava Stern, was a way to reaffirm the freedoms in the U.S. Constitution, Stern said.
“We’re all here with different concerns, and this was a matter of getting people together to express ourselves,” Stern said.
The demonstration began in Newcastle at Veterans Memorial Park at 11:30 a.m. Busby sang the preamble to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights was read by those in attendance before the group walked down to the bridge.
Participants’ signs addressed a wide variety of topics and concerns, including health care and equal rights for all people.
People of all ages participated in the demonstration. Atticus Donaghy, 8, of Newcastle, made his own sign for the event.
Daphne Lehava Stern (center) reads “The New Colossus,” a poem writen by Emma Lazarus in 1883 for the construction of the Statue of Liberty’s pedestal, as Eleanor Cade Busby (left) and Sharon Sandstrum look on. (Maia Zewert photo)
“I want my kids to know they do have a voice and can make a difference,” said Erin Rhodes, Atticus’ mother.
Theo Crocetti, 13, said he was participating in the rally because it’s important for young people to be involved and share their support for others.
“I hope they see other kids doing this and think ‘I can do that too,’” Theo said.
Theo’s mother, Stacie Crocetti, said there is “a laundry list” of reasons she participated in the rally, including the effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Crocetti spoke about the importance of being informed about current events.
“Education is key,” Crocetti said. “I don’t see this as being political one way or the other. It’s about people being informed and engaged in the process and what’s going on around them.”
The rally drew honks, waves, and a few head shakes from those driving by. The Damariscotta Police Department did not receive any calls about the protest.
