Two hundred peace marchers filled the streets of Portland, Maine on September 26, disrupting traffic downtown as they snaked through the streets. Police presence on the scene grew through the afternoon, and was asserted as the march returned to Monument Square and was ordered back to the sidewalks. Three people who did not move quickly enough were arrested, handcuffed and taken to a waiting police bus. Marchers soon flowed down to Portland's Old Port, and gathered to chant and drum in front of the police station. More arrests were made with escalating brutality as police again cleared people from the street, and then charged into the crowd pursuing hecklers and perceived leaders. The Chief of Police, observing the protest in street clothes with no identifying badge, was among the officers involved and claimed to have been dragged down and kicked in one resulting melee.

Fourteen people were arrested on assorted charges including misdemeanor failure to disperse, interference with government administration and obstruction. Three people were charged with assault. All were eventually released on bond or personal recognizance, pending a series of arraignments beginning November 6.

One month later on October 26, 3,000 people gathered in a steady rain in Augusta, Maine to say no to war. They marched to the Capitol grounds for a rally. A short while into the rally, a group of about 200-300 people left for some unpermitted marching through the city. At a traffic circle police lined up to corral the marchers back onto the sidewalks. One person was arrested and later released after marchers had stopped at the police station to drum and chant in support of the man.

For more information, contact the Portland 14 c/o Shannon O'Connor, shannono@usm.maine.edu.