I see the election of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States as an unmitigated disaster for our democracy, our planet and its inhabitants. Many of us are shocked that something like this could happen and we feel strongly that we must do everything in our power to resist Mr. Trump’s plans.

Here in Brunswick, Trump’s ascendancy has already stirred activity of various kinds. Two new vigils/rallies have been organized: one, started by members of Peace- Works, meets on the Brunswick side of the Frank J. Wood bridge every Sunday afternoon from 1- 1:30; another from the new group “Voices for Action” is held on Saturdays at 3 p.m., on the north side of the mall. All are welcome to join in. We will have signs, but everyone is encouraged to bring whatever sign expresses their own thinking on these matters. PeaceWorks’ long-standing Friday evening vigil at the north side of the mall from 5-5:30 p.m. continues as a stand for peace, cooperation and compassion. All three have grown out of deep caring for the common good and all three are opportunities for community building, getting to know our neighbors in new ways so that we’re ready to work together to resist changes that would harm people and planet.

PeaceWorks and Voices for Action can be found on Facebook, as can Safety Pins for Solidarity, an initiative that came out of concern for immigrants in Britain after Brexit. Wearing a safety pin on your sweater or jacket gives you away as someone who welcomes all members of our community with love and justice. It is exciting to see the numerous ways in which members of this community are already standing together in the face of fear for our future.

In light of the fact that Mr. Trump has vowed to deport millions of immigrants, devastating families in the process, we are also beginning discussion of the Sanctuary City Movement to consider whether Brunswick may declare itself a place of sanctuary for immigrants fleeing war and violence. In only three weeks, these are significant steps toward resistance from concerned members of the community.

A quick look at a few of the people whom Donald Trump has chosen to help him run our country reveals a very disturbing pattern:

Steve Bannon, Trump’s chief White House strategist and senior counselor. Bannon is the former chairman of the white supremacist, misogynistic, anti-semitic, climate denying, ultra right Breitbart News Network, and will be Trump’s closest advisor. Bannon’s appointment has been heralded by Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke and by the chairman of the American Nazi Party. Under Bannon’s leadership, Breitbart News smeared climate scientists and advocates. Breitbart called them “talentless low-lives” and “abject liars.” Climate advocates were dubbed “eco Nazis” and “scum-sucking slime balls.” Bannon claimed that the concept of global warming was invented by climate activists and clean energy companies out of pure greed. To Bannon, the government’s pursuit of renewable energy is “madness” (breitbart.com).

Mr. Trump has selected Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions to be his attorney general, the person in charge of protecting our rights. Sessions was rejected for a federal judgeship by a Republican senate in 1986 because of his use of racial slurs, his claim that the NAACP was un-American, and his dismissal of the American Civil Liberties Union as asking too much. Under Sessions, voter suppression would expand. He opposes immigration, equal pay for men and women and confirmation of nominees who have the “ACLU gene.” There is no doubt in my mind that Black Lives Matter people would be harassed and detained under Sessions, as would protesters against pipelines and other environmental groups. Laws that protect water, air, and health of the climate would be in grave danger under Sessions.

Trump’s top environment adviser is Myron Ebell, a denier of global warming. Ebell has called climate scientists “a gang that’s been cooking the data.” Pope Francis’ warnings about climate change were dubbed “leftist drivel.” The world’s biggest polluters, including Marathon Petroleum and the Koch Industries have funded Ebell’s Competitive Enterprise Institute, which touts the “life-enhancing value of chemicals” like arsenic, DDT and PCBs. The Clean Power Plan and the Paris Agreement on climate won’t stand a chance under Ebell’s direction. Protection against lead exposure will suffer, and honeybee-killing pesticides will have free rein (Safe Chemical Policy.org).

Another frightening thought: Vice President-elect Mike Pence is next in line to the presidency. As governor of Indiana Pence campaigned for a law that would allow businesses to discriminate against LGBT people. He argued against funding HIV treatment unless equal funds were allocated to programs that fight same-sex relationships. Pence’s anti-abortion law is the most reactionary in the country, going so far as to prevent abortion in the face of severe genetic abnormalities. As governor, Pence transferred $50 million from public schools to charter schools. He opposes many environmental and workplace safety regulations.

For these and a host of other reasons it is imperative that we join forces to resist Donald Trump’s agenda.

Selma Sternlieb is a member of PeaceWorks. She lives in Brunswick.