PORTLAND — About 500 people turned out for a Martin Luther King Jr. Day march and rally for justice on the steps of City Hall this afternoon, fueled by recent controversial statements made by newly inaugurated Gov. Paul LePage.
As they marched down Congress Street, particpants shouted “This is what democracy looks like” and carried signs with slogans such as “Enraged by LePage” and “Civility Not Division.”
Several community and church leaders spoke to the crowd gathered in Ganley Plaza, including City Councilor Dory Waxman. She recalled how her father-in-law often said, “What you think belongs to yourself. What you say belongs to the world.”
Brianna Twofoot, field director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union, and Rachel Talbot Ross, state director of the NAACP and president of the NAACP Portland Branch, displayed a “welcome basket” that will be delivered to LePage and his family.
The basket contained several books about Maine’s minority and immigrant groups and one entitled, “Speeches That Changed the World.” Ross suggested LePage might read that one to learn how language can be used for good.
LePage, a Republican, made national headlines Friday when he said the NAACP could “kiss my butt” for questioning his repeated refusal to meet with the group in recent months, including invitations to the 30th anniversary King celebration dinner in Portland on Sunday and to a Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast in Orono today.
LePage also called the NAACP a “special interest” and said he wouldn’t be “held hostage” by special interest groups. He made the comments while attending a gathering of business leaders in Sanford, then participated in an anti-abortion rally in Augusta on Saturday.
LePage initially said he was unable to attend any King Day events because of prior personal and professional commitments. He showed up this morning at the Waterville community King breakfast, which he has attended for several years as mayor of that city.
LePage said over the weekend that he would meet with the NAACP. No date has been set.
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