Scott Turcoffe, of Common Cause, Implores Activists to “Fight for the Right to Vote.”
Katherine Rhoda Holds a Sign in Support of Voter Protections and Against the Voter Suppression Laws That are Being Passed in Georgia, Texas and Elsewhere in This Country by Republican State Legislatures.
Business Owners Dustin Ward, David Aceto and Roberto Rodrigez at Rally Against Voter Suppression Today.
Lado Lodoka, Attended the Short Rally Late This Afternoon in Front of City Hall. A Photo of the Late Congressman John Lewis is on the Poster He Holds.
Scott Turcette, an organizer for Common Cause, called upon a small group of activists at city hall to “fight for the right to vote” late this afternoon. “We have to fight for democracy today.”
Three speakers addressed the group of activists. Dustin Ward, a “young, black business owner” said he can’t stay silent while the right to vote in some states is being stripped away by Republicans in state legislatures. Ward encouraged attendees “don’t let your voice be shaken or taken from you.”
David Aceto, business owner, called on activists to correct the “imbalance of power” in government and for transparency in PACs. He is a candidate to replace District 1 city councilor Belinda Ray who is not running for another term.
Roberto Rodriguez has served on the Portland School Board and is running for the City Council. He’s from Puerto Rico – a nation with no representation in Congress. It’s hard “when important decisions are made” that affect our lives he said.
It’s rumored that city councilor Spencer Thibodeau is considering not running for re-election. He is a real estate attorney for Verrill Dana.
Activists were asked to sign a petition supporting voting rights and to say involved in the effort to save our democracy. References were made to the on-going efforts to restrict voter rights in Georgia, Texas and elsewhere. Maine’s Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has been public about her commitment that all Mainers’ voter rights are protected, although no one at the rally mentioned that.
Turcette graduated from Brown University with a degree in political science. He attended Georgetown Law School, Washington, D.C. Previously he was a canvassing director for the recent Sara Gideon campaign for US Senate. He’s a Munjoy Hill resident who works full-time for Common Cause.
As the Reverend William Barber, asked recently: “Whose side are you on? The Constitution or the Chamber of Commerce?”