Dozens of protesters lined the Sagadahoc bridge and filled street corners near Bath Iron Works in anticipation of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s visit Monday.
Many on both sides waved American flags as they chanted on both sides of the street near the Bath post office, attempting to drown each other out with bullhorns and whistles. At least 200 people were protesting against Hegseth’s visit, while roughly 30 were there to show their support for the defense secretary.
Many on both sides waved American flags as they chanted on both sides of the street near the Bath post office, attempting to drown each other out with bullhorns and whistles.
Hegseth is in Maine as part of his “Arsenal of Freedom” tour, aiming to “revitalize America’s manufacturing might and re-energize the nation’s workforce.”
At BIW he was scheduled to meet workers and tour the facility Monday before giving a speech at 2 p.m.
Standing on a median strip and holding the edge of a banner, Sue Ellen Monaghan of South Portland said, “I feel it is our responsibility to protest an administration that is committing war crimes against humanity,” she said standing on a median strip. “They’re killing people and not giving evidence as to why they’re doing it.”
She said her grandparents worked at the shipyard during the war and she supports BIW. But she does not support the U.S. bombing other countries without approval from Congress.
“This is not what we do,” she said.
On the Sagadahoc bridge, Liliana Thelander of Bristol was waving a Trump flag. “We support what Pete Hegseth is doing,” she said. “He’s strengthening our military.”
Beside her Craig Caffrey of Bowdoinham said he’s a 21-year armed forces veteran. “I support President Trump. I’m glad he’s removing the woke crap from the ranks,” he said.
