Several hundred people lined both sides of the Longley Memorial Bridge on Monday afternoon during a Labor Day “Workers Over Billionaires” protest. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

WAYNE — The messages displayed by the dozens who gathered Monday morning for a Labor Day rally ran the gamut.

Some advocated for health care, public education and science. Others expressed support for unions. One man simply carried a large American flag.

“Stop the billionaire takeover,” read one. “Rob the rich so the poor can have more,” read another. “Morons Are Governing America,” said one woman’s sign, an apparent nod to President Donald Trump’s MAGA campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again.”

The rally in Wayne, which drew more than 80 people to the Main Street bridge on a sunny morning, was one of more than a dozen such events Monday, planned in coordination with as many as 1,000 others nationwide and dubbed “Workers Over Billionaires.”

Several hundred people lined the Auburn side of the James B. Longley Memorial Bridge on Monday afternoon, protesting President Donald Trump and wealthy individuals and corporations that many felt are fighting a living wage, union rights and health care.

Many brought signs with catchy phrases and a few contained unsavory slogans. There were several speeches during the two-hour event, including by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who is running for governor as a Democrat; and Lewiston Democrat Jordan Wood, who is running for Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ seat.

“I am a veteran against fascism, and everything about it,” said Cindy Cloutier, of Lewiston, wearing a crown with “No Kings” written on it. “I took an oath to the Constitution by serving in the United States Navy, not a king, not a dictator, and I’m here to defend and support that Constitution with everything in my being.”

Ed Fallon, also of Lewiston, raged against the president. “Trump, he’s not human. He doesn’t know what people need. He’s just worried about himself and his rich friends and who he’s gonna scream at next.”

Navy veteran Cindy Cloutier, of Lewiston, joined several hundred people on the Longley Memorial Bridge on Monday afternoon during a Labor Day “Workers Over Billionaires” protest. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

Many of those who protested Monday are part of a group that has been growing over the past decade, gathering recently every Tuesday on Lisbon Street, across from Collins’ office to protest administrations policies and government overreach.

Other rallies were held in Augusta, Bangor, Brunswick, Bridgton, Calais, Dexter, Farmington and Presque Isle, according to the Maine AFL-CIO, a state federation of local labor unions. The AFL-CIO said other, unaffiliated groups organized the “Workers Over Billionaires” events, but union members were speaking at some.

The demands of those rallying, according to an online posting, were to “stop the billionaire takeover corrupting our government;” protect Medicaid, Social Security and other programs; fully fund schools, health care and housing for all; stop attacks on immigrants and minorities; and invest in people, not wars.

The rally in Wayne, a town of just more than 1,000 in Kennebec County, was organized by Greater Wayne Area Indivisible, a chapter of the national 501(c)(4) nonprofit Indivisible Project, said Laurel Danforth, one of the group’s leaders.

More than 80 people gather Monday morning in Wayne for a Labor Day rally dubbed “Workers Over Billionaires.” (Jake Freudberg/Staff Writer)

Laurel Danforth holds a sign Monday during a Labor Day rally in Wayne. Danforth is one of the organizers of Greater Wayne Area Indivisible, which organized the “Workers Over Billionaires” event. (Jake Freudberg/Staff Writer)

Danforth, 72, of Wayne, said the local chapter has held four rallies since it was established earlier this year. Mainers have taken to the streets several times in recent months at various rallies and protests, largely taking aim at the policies and actions of the Trump administration.

“They come from all over,” said Danforth, a former teacher, of those at the Labor Day event. “It’s just grown. We’re very active.”

Betty Wilkins, 71, of Readfield said she came to Monday’s rally to support unions, having been a member of several in her career.

“There’s strength in numbers and a unified voice, speaking about what we want to fight for, not just what we’re against,” said Wilkins, a former high school teacher who works as a medical coder.

Annie Moran of Wayne, also one of the leaders of the local Indivisible group, carried a sign that said, “Save Science, Save Lives.”

“I have voted Republican. I have voted Democrat. I am not one or the other,” said Moran, who recently retired from the pharmaceutical industry. “But I feel that we are really putting our country at risk with some of the new changes and policies. So, that’s why I’m here, and that’s why I’m involved.”

Richard Fochtmann, 82, of Leeds, said he has attended rallies a few times in Wayne. He carried a sign that read, “Americans pledge our loyalty to the Constitution.”

Fochtmann, who said he served in the Air Force from 1962-66, said he was interested in speaking with a woman there carrying a sign expressing support for veterans.

Ed Fallon of Lewiston joined several hundred people on the Longley Memorial Bridge on Monday afternoon during a Labor Day “Workers Over Billionaires” protest. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer)

The Indivisible events in Wayne so far have drawn an older crowd, in line with the area’s demographics, according to Moran. But she was excited to see several younger people, including a few families with children, at Monday’s rally.

Aside from those from neighboring towns, Danforth said, some came to Wayne from the Lewiston area. One man said he was in town from New Jersey; another woman, from San Francisco, California.

Danforth, who said she started Wayne’s Indivisible group with Moran, Sue Spaulding and Stan Davis, said members meet monthly. They have invited speakers to present on topics ranging from Social Security to labor unions, she said. Projects include collecting food donations for area food pantries, including one in Lewiston that supports immigrants.

“None of this is negative Trump,” Danforth said. “Some people came at one point, and we had some negative Trump. That’s not what we’re about. We’re about what we want to see.”