Good Work...What's Next?
Protests produce results; next NO KINGS rally date
Dear Friends,
Computer problems this week have forced me to limit this issue of Maine Matters to some bare bones listings, actions and updates. Hopefully I’ll be in better shape next week.
It’s been an exhausting few weeks for everyone, but I hope you had a chance to participate in—or at least celebrate—the Jan. 30 National Strike which, in Maine, saw thousands of protestors gather, including students who walked out of at least ten middle and high schools across the state. Seven hundred people (mostly students) protested on the Bath bridge. Well over 1,000 marched through Portland (great video), garnering a shout-out on the Rachel Maddow show. Over 200 businesses shut down for the day and/or donated proceeds to immigrant support groups.
The good news is that weeks of protests and phone calls succeeded in getting Sen. Collins to push for the ICE surge to end here. And ICE activity in Maine does appear to have peaked: detentions are down significantly.
Still, ICE activity remains far above 2025 levels, and we know better than to put much faith in Sen. Collins’s claim to have put a real stop to “Operation: Catch of the Day,” a claim that is still unconfirmed by DHS. So we mustn’t let up.
The National Strike we experieinced on Friday is what the “next step” looks like. And speaking of that, put MARCH 28 on your calendar: it’s the next nationwide No Kings Rally.
Yours for democracy,
Amy
PS Forgot to include, in last week’s round-up of Maine things to be grateful for, this must-watch video of Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce denouncing ICE as “bush league policing.” And this New York Times coverage of Maine protests.
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FOUR ACTIONS
1) Call Sen. King and demand he fight for our safety
“Hi, my name is ______ and I’m calling from ______. I am calling Sen. King to ask that he stand firm in his negotiations regarding DHS and ICE. We will not feel safe until ICE is rebuilt from the ground up. Agents must be required to unmask, to wear name tags and body cameras, to disarm (they do not need military weapons to enforce civil violations), and to have a Judicial Warrant to enter a private space. All harms caused by ICE must be thoroughly and independently investigated and those responsible for harm must be held accountable. These are the same expectations for every law enforcement agency in the US— ICE should be no different. Please keep Mainers and all Americans safe by standing firm in your negotiations. Thank you.”
Office #: Washington: (202) 224-5344. Portland: (207) 245-1565.
2) Call Sen. Collins about impeaching Bondi & Noem
“Hi, my name is _____ and I’m calling from ______. I would like to hear Sen. Collins either publicly state her support for AG Pam Bondi’s arrest of journalists in MN or call for Bondi’s impeachment. And I would like to hear her either publicly defend Kristi Noem’s lies about the deaths of Alex Pretti and Nicole Good or call for Noem’s impeachment. She can’t have it both ways. If she can’t defend these unconstitutional actions, she needs to introduce articles of impeachment. ”
Office #: Washington DC: (202) 224-2523. Portland: (207) 618-5560 -- Lewiston: (207) 784-6969--Biddeford: (207) 283-1101--Caribou: (207) 493-7873 Augusta: (207) 622-8414.
(3) Watch “Eyes on ICE” Training
If you missed the Eyes on ICE training last week, you can watch the recorded version here. Start at approximately minute 12:00.
(4) Print These Flyers
The Maine ICE Watch and Resource Hub has created these flyers that you can print and put up on community bulletins.
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Some Special Events
No ICE for ME’s “Community Preparedness Skillshare”
Feb. 7, 12 - 4 pm, Portland
Whether you’ve delivered a meal to a neighbor, responded to a potential abduction, protected a school, or played any part in protecting our community, this event is for you. Come learn tactics and core skills for building mutual aid, rapid response, and community defense infrastructure in your own community as we work to get ICE out of Maine — for good. Space is limited to 400 people. All ticket proceeds benefit the Maine Solidarity Fund! Register here
“An Evening of Creative Resistance”
Feb. 10, 6:30-8 pm, Atlantic Hall, Cape Porpoise
Join us to hear how fellow Mainers are taking action to protect our democracy through storytelling, poetry, music, video, and visual art. Free. No reservations required. Light refreshments provided. Sponsored by the Democracy Cooperative and the Democrats of the Kennebunks and Arundel. More information: dgregorythomas@gmail.com.
“Defend the Vote” with Sec. of State Shenna Bellows (et al)
Feb. 11, 6-8:00 PM; First Parish Church, 2 Church St, Gorham
How do we ensure free, fair and secure elections in Maine’s 2026 midterms? What actions can we take now to protect these elections ? Hear Sec. of State Shenna Bellows and others tell you what needs to be done. Sponsored by Cumberland County Indivisible. Sign up here.
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Rallies and Other Events, from Wells to Skowhegan
There are 36 events happening on THIS SATURDAY ALONE, from Wells to Skowhegan. Some are ICE Out and others are commmunity events or weekly standouts. Find one near you at this ActivateMaine calaendar, which is searchable by kind of event and by region.
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____RESOURCES____
ICE RESISTANCE RESOURCES
Anti-ICE Events This Week. Search the ICE OUT tab for one near you
ActivateMaine Ice Action Toolkit
Ice Watch Hotline in Maine: 207-544-9989. (Add to your contacts to report ICE activity.)
Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition. Great ICE-fighting resources. Hotline operator and verifier training sign-up here.
DIRECT SUPPPORT TO IMMIGRANTS
The following groups are providing direct support for families in crisis:
Project Home is a Portland-based 501(c)3 requesting urgent donations to pay rent for families so they can stay housed while parents cannot work due to detention or fear of it. Its Emergency Housing Fund gets funds to families within 48 hours of need. Donate here.
Presente — Works in commmunity to provide food and material support directly to displaced and dispossessed Afro/Indigenous-Latines in Maine.
Maine Solidarity Fund: Donate to the Maine Solidarity Fund — Support bail funds, legal fees, and more for our immigrant and Trans neighbors.
Food for All Services — Pack and deliver food for community members, especially those unable to leave their homes right now.
Community Relief Fund - Support bail funds, legal fees, and more.
Mainers for Humane Immigration’s Freedom Fund – Supports bond funds.
Portland Public Schools Families in Crisis Fund - Supports families of PPS students with basic needs in times of crisis.
Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) - Legal work on behalf of immigrants.
Hope Acts. Offers asylum seekers access to housing and basic needs, assistance in navigating complex immigration processes.
Mainers for Humane Immigration
A non-profit committed to standing with people in ICE detention and the families left navigating its consequences.
GENERAL RESOURCES
ActivateMaine.com. Website with calendar of statewide protests and community building events. List your events here!
Maine Congressional phone #s.
Sen. Collins: Portland: (207) 618-5560 -- Lewiston: (207) 784-6969--Biddeford: (207) 283-1101--Caribou: (207) 493-7873 Augusta: (207) 622-8414 -- Washington DC: (202) 224-2523
Sen. King: (202) 224-5344; Portland: (207) 245-1565
Rep. Pingree: (202) 225-6116; Portland: (207) 774-5019
Rep. Golden: (202) 225-6306; Maine: (207) 241-6767
NEW! RESISTBOT. Resistbot, a free app, is a quick and easy way for people who prefer to write to elected officials. By simply by texting “resist” to 50409 you can add your name to pre-written letters that will be delivered to them.
Other Congressional Phone #s: Find your Rep here. Find your Senator here.
Turn Anger to Action: A quick guide to WHY and HOW to make those 5 or 6 daily phone calls.
5calls.org Great app for helping make those 5 calls a day. Does all the heavy lifting.
Find a Group Near You: a listing of the grassroots resistance groups in Maine.
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Note to All Readers
Maine Matters will always be available as a free resource. Clicking the payment option allows you the choice to pay a subscription fee. I intend to use funds raised from paid subscribers not just to help with producing the newsletter during, but also to support causes and groups who are engaged in the Resistance movement.
My Background
While I am best known in Maine as a children’s book author, I began my writing career as a reporter and editor of a small town newspaper. I have worked as a writer, editor, and freelance journalist for many years, in publications ranging from the Maine Sunday Telegram to the New Yorker. I was the Regional Co-Coordinator for Swing Left Maine in 2020 and founded the voter registration group, SoME VoTe, in 2022. I live in Portland and Vinalhaven.
The Purpose of Maine Matters
Maine Matters is a weekly round-up of resistance efforts in Maine, alerts about opportunities to protect democracy, and updates on the national political scene as it affects Maine.
As always, share this newsletter widely. And thank you for doing your part for democracy.