Sen. Ingwersen honors 100th year anniversary of Twin Cities’ rejection of anti-immigrant parade

AUGUSTA – On September 17, Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel, joined the commemoration of the cities of Biddeford and Saco at the “Bridging Our Past, Uniting Our Future” event, honoring the people who stopped the Ku Klux Klan from parading across the bridge. Sen. Ingwersen honored the occasion by presenting state flags that were flown over the Maine State House to Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman and Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail.

“100 years ago, the people of Biddeford and Saco had the courage to stand for all that is good,” said Sen. Ingwersen. “This anniversary is not only about looking in the past — it is also about looking forward. I am committed to working diligently to uphold the values of inclusivity, unity, and to protect our communities from hate and discrimination.”

In September 1924, Ku Klux Klan members organized a parade targeting Catholic French-Canadian, Irish, and Jewish immigrants in the Twin Cities of Biddeford and Saco. Biddeford’s mayor stopped the hateful march by blocking the 2 bridges between Saco and Biddeford. Many residents of the Twin Cities joined to defend Biddeford’s predominantly immigrant working class residents from the Klan.

“The Bridging Our Past, Uniting Our Future” event was organized by the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage and Center.

Sen. Henry Ingwersen and Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman taking a selfie at the “The Bridging Our Past, Uniting Our Future” event in Mechanics Park.

From left: Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail, Sen. Ingwersen, and Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman. Sen. Ingwersen presents each mayor with a Maine state flag flown over the Maine State House in Augusta.