Dozens of protesters gathered Monday on streets and sidewalks outside Maine’s State House and the governor’s residence to protest stay-at-home orders.
The event, organized by ReOpen Maine and Mainers Against Excessive Quarantine, was held to urge Gov. Janet Mills to reopen the state’s economy.
Around noon, lines of honking cars moved slowly down Augusta’s Capitol Street past crowds of people lining the sidewalk.
Speeches were given on the side steps of the State House, including one by U.S. House Republican primary candidate, Eric Brakey, who criticized what he called an overreach of Mills’ authority, though she has been given emergency powers by a vote of Maine’s legislature.
“Based on an executive order, we are in a state of shutdown, with no input, with no accountability and with backroom meetings that the public is not privy to,” Brakey said.
A Portland Press Herald report did show evidence of private briefings with legislators and virtual meetings given without public notice.
Source: NBC Boston