Protest Planned For Friday On Union River Bridge In Ellsworth

Another Black Lives Matter protest is scheduled for this Friday, June 5th, in Ellsworth.

The peaceful protest is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. and will happen on the Union River Bridge, the span that connects Main Street in downtown Ellsworth with Route 1.

The protesters will more than likely move toward Main Street at some point, and are expected to delay traffic significantly in the very busy downtown area.  Rush hour traffic at that hour is usually pretty heavy, as commuters from four points converge on lower Main Street from both State and Water Streets, along with Route1 from Bridge Hill.  Drivers are highly encouraged to avoid this area between 3 and 6 p.m.

Protesters from our area and far beyond will be wearing black and carrying Black Lives Matters signs.  Local law enforcement will be out in force, keeping a watchful eye on the gathering and directing traffic where needed.

Of course the protest follows the death of George Floyd, an African American that was pinned down and eventually killed by four Minneapolis police officers who have now been arrested and charged with his unnecessary death.  Black Lives Matter protests have been happening all throughout the state, including Bar Harbor, Belfast, Castine, Bangor and Portland.  A protest against police brutality is also expected to happen tomorrow in Bangor and in the small town of Guilford, when President Donald Trump arrives at Bangor International Airport, and then visits the Puritan Medical Products facility and it's 300 workers 45 miles away.