Cumberland-North Yarmouth parents, students hold rally supporting trans students
Mar. 23—Members of the Cumberland-North Yarmouth school community rallied on Sunday to support transgender students as protests surrounding the Trump administration's policies continue to crop up around the state.
Parents and students from Maine School Administrative District 51 organized the "We Won't Back Down" rally in the Cumberland Commons across from Greely schools after the district became embroiled in the national conversation around transgender athletes in girls sports.
"Children should have access to a safe, welcoming school environment where they are encouraged to attain their own personal happiness and explore their own identity," Greely High School senior Vigolia Walsh told the large crowd gathered by the gazebo on Sunday.
"Ensuring that our schools can provide safety, privacy and support to all students, regardless of their identity, is crucial to the stability of our state and country," Walsh said.
The U.S. Department of Education informed Maine officials Wednesday that the state is in violation of federal Title IX law for its policy on transgender athletes.
The notice came just two days after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services amended its notice of violation of Title IX aimed at the Maine Department of Education to include both the Maine Principals' Association, the independent organization that governs high school athletics, and Greely High School in Cumberland.
The department cited a transgender Greely student's win at an indoor track championship this winter, as well as a report of a different transgender student from the Maine Coast Waldorf School competing in a girls nordic skiing race last month.
In both investigations, the Trump administration proposed corrective action and gave the state 10 days to comply or face the prospect of losing federal funding.
The federal investigations into Maine schools came shortly after state Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, shared the name and photo of an athlete she identified as transgender on social media, in an effort she said was aimed at defending women's sports.
Protestors at Sunday's rally said that they don't want to see children being used to make political points.
"This administration is targeting the members of our community who are most vulnerable to being harmed, and that is completely unacceptable," organizer and MSAD51 parent Leah McDonald said in an interview. "So we are also here to stand up against the bullying — it is not OK to target minors."
One eighth grade Greely Middle School student who attended the rally said it was "scary" to see her community in the national spotlight, adding that it made her fear for her classmates' safety. She said she was happy to see so many people at the rally on Sunday.
"Its really inspiring to be with a huge community, of everybody supporting us," the student, Lora, said.
Another eighth grader, Sage, agreed.
"Just seeing everyone who supports each other, I think it's going to bring us closer; it already has," she said.
The Trump administration has been targeting Maine since a meeting of governors last month, where the president and Gov. Janet Mills clashed over his executive order banning athletes not assigned female at birth from competition in girls and women's sports.
Mills has maintained that the order conflicts with the Maine Human Rights Act. Mills' comment that she would see Trump "in court" has galvanized some Mainers behind the governor, while others have called for her removal and protested her administration at the State House.
Protestors at the rally in Cumberland on Sunday could be seen wearing "see you in court" T-shirts. Organizers said they hope Mills remains steadfast in her support of the Maine Human Rights Act — which permits equal participation in extracurriculars, regardless of gender identity.
North Yarmouth select board member Andrea Berry and state Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth, also made speeches at the rally supporting transgender students.
"To our LGBTQIA+ community and neighbors, you are a vital part of the fabric of our town, and we stand with you," Berry said.
Protestors stressed that the rally was about more than the transgender athlete debate. Rather, McDonald said she hoped to highlight what she sees an egregious federal overreach into state law.
"We are a group of concerned citizens from the Cumberland district, and actually around Maine, wanting to demand our leaders to continue upholding state law, the Maine Human Rights Act, and stand strong against what we perceive as fear-mongering and bullying," McDonald said.
The rally in Cumberland on Sunday was just one of many demonstrations planned in the greater Portland area in recent weeks against federal influence in Maine's schools and industries.
Also on Sunday, the Letter Carriers' union protested on Forest Avenue in Portland against cuts, layoffs and the potential privatization of the U.S. Postal Service. Trump's cuts to the U.S. Department of Education have also drawn attention in Maine, with local teachers showing their support for public education at rallies last week.
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