BANGOR, Maine — A small group of demonstrators gathered in Peirce Memorial Park next to the Bangor Public Library Tuesday afternoon to show solidarity with protesters in Ferguson, Missouri, they said.
“It’s helpful to be standing with people who feel the same way I do,” said Judith Coscarelli, adding that the grand jury’s decision was “saddening and angering” for many.
The demonstrators were responding to Monday’s announcement that the Ferguson grand jury declined to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown last summer.
The gathering of about 10 people was joined throughout the afternoon by a few passers-by who stopped to participate and hold signs with messages including “Say no to fear, ignorance, bigotry,” “Racism + gun = death” and “Black lives matter.”
“So many of us are troubled by this, and [demonstrating] provides us a way to talk with each other openly,” said Hope Brogunier of Bangor. “This keeps us out of that sense of powerlessness,” she added.
More demonstrations have been organized in Bangor and Portland for later Tuesday evening.
Watch bangordailynews.com for updates.