Bates College students Lucy Batres Rodriguez, center, and Aaron Martinez participate Tuesday in a political student rally on the Lewiston campus. Students spoke out about their concerns for reproductive rights, protecting the planet and the fear of the change of White House administration. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

LEWISTON — About 80 Bates College students rallied Tuesday to protest President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda and begin organizing opposition to its implementation.

“We do not have to wait until the next election to make a difference,” senior Adrian Madanes told a crowd gathered in front of Coram Library.

Students listened to a few speakers, held signs and joined in chants for about an hour on a brisk autumn day that had most everyone bundled up to stay warm.

“Last Tuesday’s election was a disappointment to many of us,” said sophomore Avi Konduri, who called for Trump foes to prepare for an ongoing effort to block the incoming administration’s worst policies.

Some also criticized Bates College for failing to divest fossil fuel companies from its portfolio and not doing enough in the wake of the election for students who fear what Trump policies might mean for them.

“We hold the higher-ups at Bates College deeply accountable” for failing to do more to look out for marginalized students, senior Nakhelm Nicholson said. Nicholson said the college should have already taken steps to protect students who are black and gay, as well as those from other countries or lacking the required immigration paperwork or the first in their family to attend college.

Bates students said they are organizing a mutual aid group to lend a hand, and perhaps to provide money, for students who run into trouble because of new policies imposed by Trump after he takes office in January.

Bates College student Sloan Phillips participates Tuesday in a political student rally on the Lewiston campus. Students spoke out about their concerns for reproductive rights, protecting the planet and the fear of the change of White House administration. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Students said they were especially concerned with proposals outlined in Project 2025, a nearly 1,000-page volume prepared by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank with considerable influence in Republican ranks.

The report covers a wide range of issues, among them proposals to ban abortion, abolish the U.S. Department of Education, replace many federal workers and recall career Foreign Service ambassadors who haven’t displayed loyalty to Trump.

Though Trump denied that he supports Project 2025, many of his former aides helped write it.

Braeden Parker, a sophomore, said he is worried about plans to deport millions of undocumented people, a proposal he terms “one of the most abhorrent policies ever.”

He said it is a form of ethnic cleansing that follows “a campaign of blame” waged by Trump and his supporters against some of the most marginalized people in the country.

“It’s not too late to take a stand and make a difference,” Parker said. “Divided we are weak but together we are strong.”