Biddeford and Saco commemorate historic event and unite against hatred

On Labor Day, 1924, the communities of Saco and Biddeford banded together to block bridges over the Saco River and prevent from going into Biddeford a parade of 300 Ku Klux Klan members who were rallying against the Franco American Catholic community. One hundred years later, on Sept. 17, 2024, community members from both sides of the river joined together to celebrate continued unity between the two cities.

On Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, leaders from both Biddeford and Saco met in the middle of the Main Street bridge. The group, which included currently seated mayors as well as several past mayors from both Biddeford and Saco, gathered at Mechanics Park on Water Street in Biddeford.

Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail and Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman presented a joint proclamation to the Biddeford Cultural and Heritage Center. The proclamation acknowledged the two cities working together 100 years ago to “mute the bigotry of the KKK” and to reaffirm their commitment today to strive toward inclusivity and combatting bigotry and discrimination.

“Exactly 100 years ago this month, something profound unfolded here,” said Thornton Academy History Teacher Jason Cote.

In 1924, the Ku Klux Klan had 6 million members nationwide, and included members who were in positions of power in both the private and public sectors, said Cote.

“To stand against such forces in those days required immense courage,” he said.

Cote said the events of September 1924 in Biddeford and Saco offer “a sobering lesson” and “an inspiring call.”

“On the one hand they remind us that fear, hate, and exclusion are not distant problems. They’re part of our local history, woven into the very fabric of life along the banks of the Saco River,” he said. “But on the other hand, these reflections encourage us to take heart. In the face of violence and intimidation, many stood firm, defending our core American values – democracy, inclusivity, and the power of community.”

District 32 State Senator Henry Ingwersen presented both cities with flags that had been flown at the State House in recognition of Saco and Biddeford.

“Though separated physically by a river, the good people of Saco and Biddeford joined together 100 years ago with a unity of purpose – to stand together against hate, and against bigotry,” said Ingwersen.  “May their courageous act be a beacon for each of us in the community today to stand up and speak out as well against the discrimination and hate that is unfortunately still prevalent in our world today.

For those who want to learn more about the 1924 Labor Day parade, Anatole Brown, Archivist and Historian at Saco Museum/Dyer Library, will be leading a discussion at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday , Sept. 24, at McArthur Library, 270 Main St., Biddeford.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.