AUGUSTA — The mood was defiant April 5 in Augusta, at one of the hundreds of Hands Off 2025 protests held around the country and abroad. Estimates of the Maine capitol crowd put the number of protesters at a few thousand, though the Capitol Police smiled and shrugged. They were not sure, either, how many Mainers had shown up — enough, at any rate, to fill all the parking lots and nearby streets with their vehicles.

There were plenty of smiles and "excuse me's" as Mainers — normally on a Saturday outside in the woods, by the ocean or in the garden — found themselves in the rare position of sharing tight quarters, crowded together front of the State House; but, there was also a strong undercurrent of discontent with the current state of affairs in Washington, D.C. They were in Augusta for the afternoon for one purpose, to protest the condition of the country.

The sentiments expressed were many, evidenced by a wide range of signs raised high above heads. They listened to speakers, roaring approval or condemnation. They chanted "We the People," punctuating the cold still-winter air with songs, cowbells, horns, drum rolls, sometimes laughter, but more with a unified voice against recent edicts issued from the nation's White House.

Organized by the Midcoast Maine Indivisible, the Augusta protest was one piece of a larger network taking place in other communities across the U.S., with the collective message to Donald Trump and Elon Musk to stop the power grab.

"Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them," the Hands Off organizational page said. "They are taking everything they can get their hands on and daring the world to stop them. On April 5, we are taking to the streets nationwide to say Hands Off."

Other Maine Hands Off protests were taking place simultaneously in Bangor, Castine, Portland, Rockland, Lubec, Cherryfield, Machias, Presque Isle, Skowhegan, Farmington, Brunswick, Wells, York, Lovell, Bridgton, Auburn, Lewiston and Belfast.

A tenet of Hands Off says: "A core principle behind Hands Off! is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values, and to act lawfully at these events."

Protesters arrived from the coast and Maine's central inland. Two busloads alone had transported citizens from Damariscotta. And they were of all ages, young children to the elderly. Dogs, even, were present, some wearing their own signs.

Organizers had held a medical supply drive to get first aid items to immigrants Down East who reportedly are too frightened to leave their homes and go the emergency departments at local hospitals. Bags of bandaids, antibiotic ointments, gauze and other emergency health care items were collecting by tables set off to the side of the protest.

"These are tough times and Maine is in the cross-hairs," said one speaker. "This is precisely when we must band to together and rely on community. It is clear our federal government won't take care of us, so we must take care of each other."

Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657