ICE is still here
And you better believe we're still protesting
Dear Friends,
Ice-out may have happened in Maine this month, but ICE is still here, and the protests are still happening, with a sharpened focus.
This whole newsletter is devoted largely to updates on ICE: victories over ICE—some of which were precipitated by protests; and actions you can take this weekend to protest ICE’s presence here and to demand the release of Mainer Olivia Andre.
So enjoy the lack of snow and ice—what passes for Spring in Maine—but take a moment to raise a voice in support of democracy and human rights. It’s paying off!
Yours for democracy (and human rights),
Amy
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But First, Let’s Celebrate
Grassroots activists have much to celebrate this week.
ICE OUT Victories
Man Protected from Illegal Deportation
Greater Portland Indivisible reports that a Haitian immigrant who was detained after he reported to Scarborough’s ICE facility for a routine check-in on April 14 has been released. Once inside the facility, says GPI, the man
“was immediately handcuffed and threatened with illegal deportation by ICE agents. Between his lawyer’s pushback and 40-50 activists rallied outside in support of him, ICE backed down and released our neighbor. This recent victory highlights both the importance and the power of civilian presence at these facilities.”
Cumberland County ICE Contract Cancelled
The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to drop ICE from its contract with the U.S. Marshals Service to hold federal detainees at Cumberland County Jail. According to many sources, grassroots protestors who put unrelenting pressure on the commisioners can take credit for this development. The Portland Press Herald noted that, “The board voted 3-1 to drop ICE from the agreement roughly eight months after dozens of constituents began showing up to commission meetings to advocate for such a move.”
ICE Agent Charged With Assault. In Colorado, a federal immigration officer was charged this week with third-degree assault and criminal mischief after grabbing a 57-year-old protester by the hair or neck, pulling her across the street, and throwing her down an embankment during a protest outside an ICE facility in Durango.
Virginia Victory
Thanks in no small part to grassroots activists the state voted by a narrow margin Tuesday to redistrict, a move that (if upheld by the courts) could add four Democratic seats to the US House. As noted by Blue Virginia, the referendum passed
[not] because of paid strategists or celebrity surrogates, but because grassroots activists didn’t just support this fight. They were the fight. “These are the real heroes of this campaign,” said Finale Norton, former candidate.
Thank you to all my readers who joined a phone bank or postcard campaign and pushed this effort over the finish line.
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SPECIAL ICE PROTESTS AND ACTIONS IN MAINE
“Communities Not Cages”: National Day of Action April 25 To Protest ICE Warehouse Detention
In Maine the following events are planned:
1. Warehouse Detention Protest and National Show of Solidarity for Olivia Andre
Indivisible is mobilizing against the Trump administration’s reckless expansion of ICE warehouse detention centers and its assault on the due process rights of immigrants and all Americans. (More info here.)
In addition, Saturday is a nationwide show of solidarity for 19-year-old Olivia Andre from Portland, whose whole family was detained five months ago. Last month, the rest of her family were released, but Olivia is still at the Dilley detention warehouse in Texas. Rally-goers are asked to bring photos of Olivia and signs of support.
Portland, Sat. Apr. 25, 11-12; Monument Sq.
Freeport, Sat. Apr. 25, 11-12:30 pm; Desert Rd & US-1
Wells, Sat. Apr. 25, 1-2 pm; Wells Police Station, 1563 Post Rd.
Scarborough, Sat. Apr. 25, 3-4 pm; outside Holy Donut, 398, US Rte. 1.
2. Scarborough: “Melt ICE” Protests
Ongoing and Irregular, 40 Manson Libby Rd
Protests are taking place several times a week at the Scarborough ICE facility. These protests are not posted or regular so contact Team Southern Maine Indivisible to be added to communications: (617) 515-1983 or itsme04043@yahoo.com.
3. Portland: Urge City Council To Vote NO on Helping ICE
Mon., April 27 , 5-6 pm; City Hall (Room 209), 389 Congress Street.
The Portland City Council will vote on an order that prohibits assisting federal agencies in immigration enforcement.If you can’t be there in person, you can still submit written public comment on it at publiccomment@portlandmaine.gov. Comment must be received no later than noon of the day before the meeting.
NATIONAL PROTESTS
BUSINESSES: Comment (TODAY!) on Harm Caused by Work Permit Rule Change
The DHS is proposing a rule change that would suspend acceptance of asylum-based Employment Authorization Document applications and would cause many asylum seekers to lose or fail to obtain work permits. This will destabilize families, communities, and regional economies, and harm businesses who rely on their labor. Sign the petition and/or comment on the harm to your business—before midnight tonight (April 24)!
Urge Citizens Bank to Stop Funding ICE Detention Centers
Citizens Bank provides ongoing funding for CoreCivic and The GEO Group, for-profit prison and ICE detention center companies. A group called De-Ice Citizens Bank is urging people to take action by writing, calling, and/or moving their accounts to other banks. There are petitions and scripts for you to write/call the corporate leaders, and more info, here.
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OTHER MAINE EVENTS
May 1st “May Day” Protests
“May Day Strong—Workers Over Billionaires” protests and rallies are scheduled for 15 different towns in Maine, as part of a nationwide strike. May 1st is the next national day of protests for International Workers Day. There are rallies in Portland, Freeport, Bath, Machias, Camden, Farmington, Old Orchard Beach,Rockland,S. Berwick, Wells, Lewiston, Biddeford, Bridgton, Brunswick, and Houlton. Find your nearest rally here.
Even if you can’t attend a rally, make a plan for how to participate in the strike. It can take many forms. Join a boycott (no work, no school, no shopping). We can’t all skip work or school, but everyone can plan their shopping to avoid spending money on May 1st (except for small, local businesses). Make your plan.
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Ongoing Rallies and Other Events, Including New One in Ellsworth
Ellsworth starts weekly Saturday standout.
Saturdays, 12-1pm; 40 US-1 (the bridge in downtown Ellsworth where Main Street crosses the Union River)
“Stand for Peace, Stop the Wars”
There are scores of weekly and special events planned, from South Berwick to Southwest Harbor. Some are ICE Out and others are commmunity events or weekly standouts. Find all of them—and more—at this ActivateMaine calendar, which is searchable by kind of event and by region.
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Still Time to Take the Reader Survey
There are a few more days to fill out my reader survey on how you plan to vote in the primaries. Click here to be directed to the survey.
Last Laugh
The Iranians are masters of trolling Trump. Honestly, I almost thought this video (released the moment Trump extended the ceasefire on Wednesday) was done by Saturday Night Live.
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____RESOURCES____
ICE RESISTANCE RESOURCES
Report abusive ICE behavior to dedicated Maine Attorney General email: CitizenReporting.OAG@maine.gov.
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. (To report ICE activity.)
Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition. Great ICE-fighting resources. Hotline operator and verifier training sign-up here.
Jessica Craven’s ICE Out Boycott List
GENERAL RESOURCES
ActivateMaine.com. Website with a searchable 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
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.
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.
Find a Protest Near You: listing of protests held regularly 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 use a portion of those fees to support independent news outlets and journalists, groups that are engaged in the Resistance movement, and those helping our immigrant communities.
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.