News from Augusta, ME

On Facebook, Leslie Manning, Coordinator for Mayors Against Illegal Guns, posts: “In a chill wind, clergy, elected officials and citizen activists gathered in Augusta, ME to honor, to remember and to resolve to move forward. Speakers included Augusta Mayor William Stokes, former Lewiston Mayor and U.S. District Marshal Larry Gilbert and state Rep. Anna Blodgett (D. AUGUSTA). A single candle was lit by Maine Council of Churches President Leslie Manning and representatives from… the Winthrop Area Ministerial Association. Members of the Roman Catholic, Unitarian Universalist, Quaker and UCC churches and Meetings in the area were present. After sharing stories of recent gun related tragedies in Maine since January 8, 2012 and honoring all victims of gun violence, the group shared strategies about how to move forward and implement universal background checks for all gun sales, effective traces of weapons used in crimes and limiting gun trafficking through the internet and by private sales from such publications as Augusta-based “Uncle Henry’s”. After a moment of silence, the group closed with a reading of the lyrics to the song “Imagine” by gun violence victim John Lennon.”