One hundred people traveled to Brunswick from as far as Rockland, Boothbay Harbor, Portland and Bowdoinham for the second of “10 Actions in the First 100 Days.” The group, Midcoast Voices for Democracy, is working to build a community of support and define a set of actions and strategies to pursue during the first 100 days of the administration and beyond.

The effort is part of a movement launched after the recent Women’s March on Washington that saw 10,000 rally in Augusta and Portland, along with hundreds in Brunswick and elsewhere in Maine. Using the energy generated by the march, organizers aim to mobilize millions of people around the country to demand accountability from elected officials.

Brunswick organizers Lynn Ellis and Debbie Atwood wanted to ensure that area residents have an opportunity to take action in their own communities. “We wanted to continue momentum started by Rev. Stocker, minister of UUChurch Brunswick who organized a Vigil in Solidarity with the Women’s March on Washington on January 21,” said Lynn Ellis, co-Chair of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick’s Working for Justice committee. “UU’s Fifth Principle affirms ‘the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.’ We embrace the opportunity to engage in an ongoing action to make a difference in our community and in our country through issue-oriented and respectful action.”

Atwood has experienced the power of citizen engagement both as a community organizer and former Brunswick town councilor. “Holding elected officials accountable for their votes, demanding that they lead with a positive vision, is the job of every citizen in a democracy,” Atwood said, “and the reality that 100 people chose to spend their Saturday afternoon working together to build a local movement is very encouraging. The momentum is building.”

The group meets next on March 1 at 6 p.m. the Brunswick UU Church and all are invited to attend. For more information, email midcoastvoicesfordemocracy@gmail.com.

For more on 10 Actions in the First 100 Days, visit https://www.womensmarch.com/hearourvoice/.