ROCKLAND, Maine — A city councilor has asked whether Rockland can assess fees for the weekly anti-Trump protests.
Councilor Nichole Kalloch raised the question during a discussion Monday evening July 6 on a proposal to establish a policy on fee waivers for use of public property.
Kalloch said if the city adopts a policy on fee waivers, she would like it to include a criteria on the number of people attending and whether the organizers advertise the event.
“Because that’s what happening with the protests that happen every weekend that are costing the city $30,000 a year, and they are not paying a fee for it,” Kalloch said.
Councilor Kaitlin Callahan said the city has no say on the protests, because that is a First Amendment right.
“Those are two different things,” Callahan said.
Kalloch responded and asked what would happen if she advertised an event and 500 people attended.
City Manager Tom Luttrell pointed out it would be a public event and that the protesters are not exclusively renting the park.
The council asked city attorney Mary Costigan to look at case law on the need for permits to hold large events.
The anti-Trump protests have been held every noon Saturday for more than a year. The gatherings are held along the corner of Park and Main streets with the largest being the No Kings rally that also was held at nearby Harbor Park in October 2025 which drew more than 1,000 people.
Kalloch, a former Republican, is running as an independent for the Senate District 12 seat that encompasses nearly all of Knox County.
Kalloch’s comments came during a discussion on a proposal by Mayor Adam Lachman to set a policy on fee waivers for use of public property. He said he wanted to get the discussion started, noting there is a cost, for example, when streets are closed and police are assigned.
Lachman said he believes a policy with specific criteria would provide clarity to nonprofit organizations and prevent the appearance of inequities.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.