Over three dozen people gathered at Woodford’s corner in Portland Saturday afternoon to protest the U.S.’s support of Ukraine in their war against Russia.
According to the Portland Press Herald, the event was part of a series of protests that have been happening regularly across the state in recent months.
The protestors were mostly made up of political parties and peace groups calling for a stop to all U.S. military conflict. Demands from the coalition of various organizations gathered include peace in Ukraine and the end of the U.S.’s aid through monetary donations and weaponry to the war-torn country, the abolishment of NATO, better U.S. and China relations, and the end of U.S. aid in Israel.
Lead organizer of the protest and a founding member of the Maine Natural Guard, Lisa Savage, says many are concerned that the amount of money and weapons the U.S. has given Ukraine is only provoking Russia and “certainly hasn’t done Ukraine any favors.”
Protestor Russell Wray says he’s worried the U.S.’s involvement could escalate into a nuclear war with Russia.
“If we get into a war with Russia, that’s it. We have to do what we can to try to prevent this from happening,” said Wray. “A war with Russia could end life on this planet.”
In a report Wednesday, the Pentagon said the U.S. expects to send an additional $300 million in military aid to Ukraine on top of the $120 billion it has already spent on the country.
