Melissa Relyea Ossana ’91 was one of 12 people who helped carve this message onto Sand Beach in...Melissa Relyea Ossana ’91 was one of 12 people who helped carve this message onto Sand Beach in Acadia National Park. She is pictured in the bottom image in the “S”. Credit: Gary Allen

2017 is only a month old, but it’s already seen its share of protests all over the world: on the streets, in public squares, in airports.

But Maine may be the only place where a day of protest meant a day at the beach.

A group of friends got together early Sunday morning at Sand Beach in Acadia National Park along the Maine coast. But they weren’t there to frolic in the sand.

Melissa Relyea Ossanna ’91 said she worries how the environment will fare under President Trump’s administration.

“I’m concerned about climate change, our national parks,” Ossanna told CNN. Writing the word on the beach “was a peaceful way to express that we need to resist any damage being done to our climate and public lands.”

Read more…