On October 1, 2011, Mainers gathered at Lincoln Park in Portland to join the global Occupy movement. What followed was two years of General Assemblies, direct actions, solidarity campaigns, and a sustained experiment in participatory democracy that reshaped civic engagement across the state.
Occupy Maine Established
Hundreds gather at Lincoln Park in Portland, Maine, in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street. An encampment is established. The first General Assembly convenes at 6 p.m.
The Encampment Takes Shape
Tents, a medical station, a food tent, and an information table organize at Lincoln Park. Daily General Assemblies become the movement’s decision-making body. The Maine State Nurses Association shows support.
Lincoln Park Campers Attacked
Occupy Maine issues a press release after campers are physically confronted at Lincoln Park. The incident draws media attention and community solidarity.
Vigil for Scott Olsen
Occupy Maine holds a 7 p.m. vigil at Monument Square for Scott Olsen, the Iraq War veteran critically injured by police at Occupy Oakland.
Occupy the Capital
Occupy Maine joins a coordinated action at the state capitol in Augusta, connecting local grievances to statewide policy.
Mayoral Inauguration Info Table
Occupy Maine sets up an information table at Portland Mayor-elect Michael Brennan’s inauguration, engaging newly elected leadership.
City Council Hearing on Permit
Portland City Council holds a hearing on Occupy Maine’s camping permit at Lincoln Park. The hearing becomes a referendum on the right to protest in public space.
Occupella Christmas Carols
Occupy Maine’s musical wing, Occupella, performs protest-themed Christmas carols around Portland’s Old Port district.
Occupy the NH Presidential Primary
Occupy Maine sends members to New Hampshire for the presidential primary, taking the movement’s message to the national political stage.
National Day of Action Against Foreclosures
Occupy Maine participates in the national coordinated action targeting bank foreclosure practices. The Occupy Homes campaign launches locally.
126 Days at Lincoln Park
Occupy Maine marks 126 continuous days at Lincoln Park. The movement has survived a Maine winter. The camp moves operations to the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church.
Trayvon Martin Rally & Solidarity Actions
Occupy Maine organizes a Trayvon Martin rally at Monument Square and a Super Hero March against Bank of America. CODEPINK Maine collaborates on anti-war actions.
Tar Sands & Congress Square
Members travel to Burlington, Vermont for a tar sands oil action. Back in Portland, the movement defends Congress Square from privatization. Occupy Maine TV produces four episodes documenting the movement.
Hurricane Sandy Relief
Occupy Maine mobilizes disaster relief efforts for communities affected by Hurricane Sandy, demonstrating the movement’s mutual aid capacity.
Legacy
Formal organizing activity winds down, but the movement’s impact persists in Portland’s civic culture—increased engagement at city council meetings, a stronger foreclosure prevention network, and a generation of activists trained in consensus-based decision making.
Lincoln Park
The story of the encampment—daily General Assemblies, community support structures, and the fight for public space in downtown Portland.
Actions & Events
Key protests, solidarity campaigns, film screenings, and community events organized by Occupy Maine across the state.
