Welcome to all the new members on our mailing list! Here is today’s call to action from us at Indivisible Bangor, followed by the great list of important actions from our friends at Mid Maine Indivisible, including voting early now, as well a statement from Senator King on his vote on the budget bill. And the Epstein files. They cannot be forgotten.
Also, actions from Hancock Country Democrats (Action 168: Comment NOW (closes 10/20)) and Bold Coast Civic Alliance (10/7).
Weekly Vigils
Weekly vigils are happening here in the Bangor area! First in the week is the Tuesday Weekly Vigil at the Federal Building in Bangor, followed by the Wednesday Weekly Orono Vigil.
TOMORROW, Friday, the Bangor Visibility Brigade meets at 3:30 at Essex Street overpass. Learn more here.
Graham Platner in Brewer TONIGHT, October 9th
“We’ll be at the Eastern Maine Labor Council Hall from 6:00pm-7:00pm on. I hope you’ll come and check out this movement we’re building to defeat Susan Collins and her multi-billionaire backers. Come out, ask questions, and bring a friend or three. I’ll see you there.”
Canvass for Save Maine Absentee Voting!
Food AND Medicine is organizing a weekly canvassing action: “Canvass with us! Spread the word to our neighbors in Bangor to remember to vote, and talk about the issues that we all hold dear, and the candidates who support those values.
We’re going out each Saturday in October, starting this Saturday, 10/11 at 9am from our building at 20 Ivers Street, Brewer. Contact FAM@foodandmedicine.org to join us. We’ll have all the materials you need, and will train if you haven’t canvassed before. It’s actually fun! You don’t have to live in Bangor to canvass with us.”
Write a Letter to the Editor!
There are letters weekly playing this down, calling it “common sense” legislation and simply lying about the effects and intent of this voter suppression law. This is part of the continuing MAGA war on voting and we can stop it!
The League of Women Voters/Democracy Maine, which is part of the Save Maine Absentee Voting coalition, is organizing several letter-to-the-editor training opportunities on Zoom.
Remember: Your voice matters.
- TODAY, October 9, noon – 1 p.m. RSVP here!
- Wednesday, October 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP here!
23rd Anniversary of Solidarity Harvest and Food AND Medicine! THIS SATURDAY!
FAM is celebrating on October 11th and we’d love for you to join us at beautiful North Branch Farm in Monroe on Saturday, October 11th from 3-5 pm for some food and music.
Just a quick drive from Bangor, North Branch Farm is one of Solidarity Harvest’s contributing farms, and they’ve offered to show us around and host this fun event. You’ll meet Anna and Seth as well as a couple of the other Solidarity Harvest farmers.
There will be music, appetizers, and non-alcoholic beverages, including hot local cider. It should also be peak leaf weekend, and it looks like the weather will be perfect, so take a ride out and take in the views.
This will be a fun, casual celebration and a fundraiser for Solidarity Harvest!
Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission (MITSC) invites you to the audiobook launch of SEA RUN in Veazie
The Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission (MITSC) invites you to the audiobook launch of SEA RUN, authored by Dr. Anthony (Tony) Sutton and Judd Esty-Kendall, Esq., at our event on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, October 13, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Veazie Salmon Club, the site of a key dam removal on the Penobscot River. Attend this important event to hear from co-author Judd Esty-Kendall, Wabanaki leaders, and other distinguished guests involved in fisheries restoration.
UPDATE- Texas Governor Greg Abbot Volunteers His National Guard Troops to Occupy Chicago and Portland, Oregon
Donald Trump has been thwarted by the courts to use the national guard from Illinois, California, and other states to invade Chicago and Portland. Ally Greg Abbot has heeded the call from the president and will authorize up to 400 members from the Texas National Guard to be sent. The governor’s endorsement of the federalization of states’ national guard is in marked contrast to his position in early 2024, when he condemned President Biden’s “power grab,” even stating that “Congress has long required the consent of a governor before units can be transferred out of the National Guard he commands” in a press release at the time.
Destructive Fed Raid in Chicago
Monday night, 9/29, federal agents executed a “U.S. Border Patrol targeted immigration enforcement operation,” according to a CBS News Chicago report.
According to the Chicago Sun Times, “Armed federal agents in military fatigues busted down their doors overnight, pulling men, women and children from their apartments, some of them naked, residents and witnesses said. Agents approached or entered nearly every apartment in the five-story building, and U.S. citizens were among those detained for hours.”
Donald Trump and Stephen Miller are using federal law enforcement agencies as their personal force to intimidate and terrorize civilians, immigrant or citizen, who live in cities Donald Trump has declared “dangerous.”
“American cities as ‘training grounds’ for the military” in Donald Trump’s war on Americans on American soi
Tuesday, 9/30, President Donald Trump gave a rambling and incoherent speech to the several hundred military officers he had assembled in Virginia, saying that he had told Mr. Hegseth to use “dangerous” American cities as “training grounds” for the military. He went on to name San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles – cities that are run by Democrats. This should not be dismissed as “just Trump being Trump.”
Donald Trump and his “Department of War” are declaring war on Americans who do not share his vision of an America run by MAGA. He has openly stated that he wants to use civilians in American cities as tools to train the American military. This is chilling and is yet another example of his authoritarian plans for our country.
Read more about this meeting and his speech in this New York Times gift article.
Troops in Chicago
On Monday, 9/29, Illinois governor JB Pritzker gave a speech about the announcement that Donald Trump is planning to send 100 troops to Chicago, in addition to the large number of ICE agents already occupying Chicago. This is neither wanted nor warranted. You can read the story here on the CBS Chicago site, which also has video of his full speech. This is part of the continuing escalation by Donald Trump and his “Department of War” against Americans and others in American cities. Please contact your congressional delegation and let them know that this is wrong and must stop.
***Update: Illinois sues the Trump administration over National Guard deployment to Chicago (NBC News article)****
Trump plans to occupy Portland, Oregon
Donald Trump is again sending troops to an American city that he sees as “the enemy.” Using lies about crime and safety as justification, he is authorizing 200 Oregon National Guard troops to be sent to Portland, Oregon. Read more here at The Hill.
***Update: Donald Trump is trying to use Oregon and California National Guard Troops for deployment in Portland, Oregon, but has been thwarted by a Federal judge in Oregon. Trump will now try to use Texas troops. NYTimes Gift article.
Also, “Judge blocks Trump from deploying California National Guard — or any Guard troops — in Oregon” LATimes article****
We cannot allow his continued use of the military on American soil to intimidate and terrorize civilians to stand. This cannot be the new norm. The sole purpose of these actions is to intimidate and terrorize the local communities. Please contact your congressional delegation in Washington to let them know this is unacceptable and un-American. This should not be tolerated in our country!
STOP THE TRUMP SHUTDOWN
What you can do
Republicans shut down the federal government because they insist on taking away healthcare and giving Trump another blank check to fuel his dangerous and illegal power grab. The Indivisible toolkit has everything you need to know about our next steps, including how to hold Republicans accountable, how to help Democrats hold the line, and how to mobilize locally against blank checks for a wannabe king.
***Nationwide No Kings Protest!***
***October 18, 2025***
***Broadway Park, Bangor***
Tell your friends!!!
No Kings is a peaceful movement of millions of Americans from all walks of life rising up to make it clear: We don’t do dictators or kings in America. We never will. We’re organizing and taking action to defend each other and our communities, demand dignity, and say enough to all of the Trump administration’s power grabs.
Millions of us took to the streets in June, and we’re doing it again on Saturday, October 18.
The Indivisible Bangor protest will be at Broadway Park in Bangor at noon!
Please bring non-perishables and personal care items for donations to local food cupboards.
Click the link below for more info, especially parking info!
And tell a friend! We want this to be even larger than June’s protest!
ACLU’s No Kings: Protest Safety,
Know Your Rights & De-Escalation Training 10/15
Before you hit the streets for the No Kings National Day of Protest– join our know your rights, protest safety, and de-escalation training on 10/15/25 at 7 PM ET.
WHAT: ACLU’s Protest Safety, Know Your Rights and De-Escalation Training
WHEN: Wednesday, October 15th at 7 PM ET
WHERE: On Zoom!
Apple Removes ICEBlock App
Reported by NBC News. To comply with a demand from the Donald Trump administration, DoJ officials, at the request of Attorney General Pamela Bondi, “reached out” to Apple, after which Apple removed the ICEBlock app and other apps that share user generated location information of ICE activity. The excuse given is weak and inconsistent with reality.
Google complied with a similar action without having been “reached out” to by Pam Bondi. This is another example of how companies “obey in advance,” even huge tech companies.
Contact Apple and Google (must sign in) to let them know this is unacceptable!
States Have a Win!
As reported in a recent edition of the Bangor Daily News, “Feds drop ICE clause from crime victim grants after lawsuit by Maine and 20 states.” The federal government had tied Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants to the states with their complying with ICE demands. Yesterday, 10/6, they dropped that requirement. That is a win!
Request your absentee ballot
Would you like to take advantage of the opportunity to vote when it’s convenient for you?
Will you be out of town on Election Day, November 4, 2025?
Maine offers the option to obtain an absentee ballot that you can mail in early or drop off at your town’s drop box. There are even days of early voting, too! Click the link to request YOUR absentee ballot!
Volunteer on election day
Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Have you thought about volunteering at your town office to help? It’s a great way to learn about the election process as well as to give back to your town. Call your town office today-click the button/link for the list of all Maine towns, find your town, and give ’em a call!
COIVD vaccinations are available without a prescription in Maine
On September 12, 2025, the Maine CDC issued a standing order (PDF) “all recommended individuals six months and older can receive routine COVID-19 vaccination.”
Please call your pharmacy to verify before you arrive to make sure this order has not changed. Click the button/link for more information from the Maine.gov site.
Join Indivisible Bangor!
Do you want to become more involved? Would you like to help with the website and communications? How about helping to organize events, such as rallies and overpass actions or be a peacekeeper? Volunteer with Indivisible Bangor! We have had a huge influx of new members these past few months and to keep up, YOUR skills, connections, and input are needed!
Weekly member meetings are on Zoom with in-person meetings on the first Wednesday of the month. Please click the button to sign up and we’ll help you with the process of becoming a member of Indivisible Bangor!
New members, and current members, too, are invited to join one of our monthly Zoom informational meetings!
Make Some Calls!
It’s mentioned a few times in these newsletters about calling your representatives in Washington, D.C. It’s one of the most important things we can do and it’s so easy!
Write Some Emails!
If you are more comfortable with sending emails to our Maine congressional delegation in Washington, click the links/buttons.
We are on Blue Sky!
Check us out on this social media site that is similar to that other one that has changed hands recently, but with less nonsense!
Follow us! Invite your friends! Comment! You’ll be glad you did!
The ACLU Maine has a “Know Your Rights” plan for students going back to school. “Politicians are attacking students’ and teachers’ rights throughout the country, including here in Maine – but as the Supreme Court ruled in 1969, students do not ‘shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.’” Click the button for these important details.
We have an easy way to donate to Indivisible Bangor. Drop off your returnable bottles and cans to Ohio Street Redemption in Bangor and tell them to put it on the account of Dave Cox. They’ll add the money to our kitty, mail out a regular check, and the money goes to our bank account to help with our expenses! You can find them here!
****Be sure the attendant writes down “Dave Cox” or “Indivisible Bangor” because several donations have not been credited. Thank you!****
And you can donate here, too! Donations help pay for supplies, website, outreach, and to fund the many upcoming actions in Maine.
Thank you for all you do! – Dave from Indivisible Bangor
And now to the Mid Maine Indivisible morning Call to Action!
Action Thursday October 9th: For the Heart + Call King to Support Him Changing His Vote on the CR + Comment on National Enforcement of Voter ID + Help a Local ICE Victim
Folks, a For the Heart Thursday. It gives me heart that the Democrats have stayed firm so far on their demands. If you haven’t yet, email or call Senator King’s office and support his changing his vote to support the budget demand to extend the ACA tax credits which will prevent thousands of Mainers from seeing their Health Insurance Premiums increase dramatically.
If you have another moment, comment on the Administration’s attempt to enforce Voter ID for national elections; “Now they are trying to get the independent, bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to require a passport or other proof of citizenship to register to vote. The EAC is taking public comments on this latest voter suppression measure. Our task is to comment in opposition to the AFLF petition. Comment here. Share why you oppose the proof of citizenship requirement – comment anonymously if you wish.” from Abbie Mcmillen’s Action 168 which is attached below.
On the local front, ICE kidnapped Paola’s partner here in Kennebec County. The Community Relief Fund a Bipoc and community led effort is fundraising to help her, and help pay for her husband’s lawyer ($2,500 downpayment, 5k total needed) and to support her and her baby. Send donations here. Consider sending the attached email from Deb to 5 friends. This is urgent.
For the Heart
For Your Heart this Third Week of Fall:
Can we accept the way things are which means including our own annoyance, anger, sadness. When we accept all, a fierce straightforward action can take place.
Nancy Hathaway Center for Studying Mindfulness
Praise the Rain, by Joy Harjo: (read this aloud)
Praise the rain, the seagull dive
The curl of plant, the raven talk —
Praise the hurt, the house slack
The stand of trees, the dignity —
Praise the dark, the moon cradle
The sky fall, the bear sleep —
Praise the mist, the warrior name
The earth eclipse, the fired leap —
Praise the backwards, upward sky
The baby cry, the spirit food —
Praise canoe, the fish rush
The hole for frog, the upside-down —
Praise the day, the cloud cup
The mind flat, forget it all —
Praise crazy. Praise sad.
Praise the path on which we’re led.
Praise the roads on earth and water.
Praise the eater and the eaten.
Praise beginnings; praise the end.
Praise the song and praise the singer.
Praise the rain; it brings more rain.
Praise the rain; it brings more rain.
TODAY’S ACTION (s)
- Call Senator King and let him know you support his voting with the Democrats to demand a CR that will not dramatically increase the health insurance premiums of thousands of Mainers: Up to now he has consistently voted with the Republicans throughout the voting on the Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the budget. More on the shutdown here.
- Donate to Paola’s family – the victim of ICE kidnapping here in Kennebec County: See above and the attached email below for more details. Go to the Community Relief Fund webpage to make your donation.
- Send your comment on the National ID Voter Requirement to the Election Assistance Commission: For details see description in section one of this email. Go here to comment.
- Vote absentee today especially if you want to be involved on Election Day canvassing, tabling, or helping work the polls: see the links above or below to get moving on this.
- Call on our Congressional Representatives to demand the release of the Homan and Epstein Files: Democrat Adelita Grijalva just got elected to the US House, giving us enough votes to force the release of the files, but Mike Johnson has kept the House on recess in part to avoid this vote. This makes release of these files even more important. According to reliable sources, the FBI has video of our man Homan accepting $50,000 in a Cava bag in return for a promise to give undercover agents Government Contracts once Trump gets back into office. Learn more here. Trump is considering pardoning sex trafficker and abuser Ghislaine Maxwell who most likely has the dirt on him.
- Call Governor Mills and our Congressional Representatives: Ask Mills to deny any request from the Trump administration to deploy National Guard Troops for local law enforcement; Ask our representatives to sound the alarm about the use of US Military to intimidate and harass peaceful, public protests. Go here for wording on this.
- Consider volunteering and/or donating to one of the worthy immigrant support organizations listed below: Capital Area New Mainers Project, Mainers for Humane Immigration, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, (all Maine based), and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
- Get involved in the referendum questions coming up in Maine on November 4th: Here is the wording of the questions; you can donate and canvass to oppose the voter ID law (Question 1) by going to SaveAbsenteeMe , and you can support the institution of a Red Flag Law (Question 2) by going to the Maine Gun Safety Coalition. You can request your absentee ballot here, now. One yes vote (Red Flag), one no vote (Voter ID).
Statewide Actions
- Support the Community Relief Fund to help Paola and her family get legal representation and basic necessities.
- Call Governor Mills to ask her to deny any request from the administration to deploy National Guard troops in Maine to conduct law enforcement activities. We don’t need them.
- Absentee vote today and VOTE NO ON #1 Support the effort to defeat the Voter ID referendum Question One, which takes away our right as Mainers to use absentee ballots. We can vote NO on Question 1, donate, and canvass to defeat this voter suppression initiative. Go to SaveAbsenteeMe to pledge to vote no, and sign up for canvassing. Question One will have significant support as it is paired with the Red Flag initiative cited below.
- VOTE YES ON #2 – Support the effort to get a red flag gun law in Maine – Question 2 on this Fall’s Referendum. Gun rights advocates will be out in force to defeat this one. For more information go to the Maine Gun Safety Coalition. You can help by voting YES, canvassing and donating to this cause as well.
- Start a Poster/Chalking Campaign in Your Neighborhood! Go here for ideas and check in with Karen about a postering campaign in Mid Maine.
- Indivisible Bangor has a great daily newsletter and actions go here to sign up.If you are in the Mid Coast area consider joining Audacity – learn more here.
- Ask Janet Mills to join other Blue States to call for a redistricting of Maine so that Democratic candidates have the edge in the second district, if and only if other states join Texas in redistricting to the Republican advantage. For talking points on this go here. For a toolkit on this for red and blue states go here.
- If you know your Maine Representative or Senator is supportive of making ICE accountable in Maine, ask them to join with Representative Cassie Julia to put in a bill to ensure proper identification of ICE agents acting in Maine. Lawmakers in California have introduced legislation requiring the identity and affiliation of ICE agents to be displayed while interacting with the public.
- For statewide NoKings2 Actions go to the Activate Maine calendar, and Mobilize to see if there is an event planned near you for October 18th. If there isn’t one within an hour’s drive plan one for your community!!
- Check out Graham Platner’s “Un-Shuck The System Tour”, Thursday 10/9 Bangor/Brewer, Eastern Maine Labor Council Hall 6pm, Saturday 10/11 Rumford, American Legion Post 24 10am, Skowhegan Maine Grains 1 pm, Dover Foxcroft, The Mill 3:30 pm, Monday 10/13 Augusta, Cushnoc Brewing 6 pm, rsvp@tinyurl.com/grahamrsvp or go to Grahamforsenate.com
As always, throw a little sand in their gears!
~~~Mid Maine Indivisible
It’s a piece of cake to email or call with these links!
The names of our senators and representatives listed below are links that go right to their official congressional contact form pages. The telephone numbers are links that should open your phone app to call that number. It’s that easy!
Angus King
DC: (202) 224-5344
Augusta: (207) 622-8292
Susan Collins
DC: (202) 224-2523
Augusta: (207) 622-8414
Bangor: (207) 945-0417
Chellie Pingree
DC: (202) 225-6116
Portland: (207) 774-5019
Waterville: (207) 873-5713
Jared Golden
DC: (202) 225-6306
Bangor: (207) 249-7400
Caribou: (207) 492-6009
Lewiston: (207) 241-6767
Find your State Representative:
By name: Here
By district: Here
