For the Heart + Keep Up the Pressure on No $ for ICE + Remember the Epstein Files?
Good Morning Folks, it’s a For the Heart Thursday. Bruce Springsteen just released the Streets of Minneapolis – exactly what we need to keep our momentum building! Maine Calling will be hosting discussion about the ICE invasion in Maine all this week.
Top Action to Take Today: (I am repeating yesterday’s action because this is so immediate and important)
If you haven’t yet called our Senators, or three friends to call them to vote NO on funding ICE please do so. The Senate failed to pass the House bill (47-45) which included funding for ICE yesterday. Funding for DHS can get stripped out of the Continuing Resolution Bill and acted on separately so voting no doesn’t mean another complete government shutdown. Call Majority Leader Senator John Thune,(202) 224-2321 or (605) 225-8823 or (605) 334-9596 or (605) 348-7551. and ask him to take DHS funding as a separate vote. 5calls.org has a demand to defund ICE entirely.
If you have done the above, let’s not forget the EPSTEIN FILES – Even though the House is not in Session,
please call Pingree and Golden and ask them to support the Inherent Contempt Charges (bill sponsored by Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie) against Pam Bondi for not releasing the full Epstein Files in December, when Congress required her to do so. These charges would fine Bondi each day she has delayed in the release of these files. For more information on this go to 5calls.org. This bill does not need to be approved by the Senate to go into effect.
For the Heart
For Your Heart this sixth week of Winter: What is this moment inviting me to do? Include one’s own experience into the moment, when we ask, what now?
~~Nancy Hathaway Center for Studying Mindfulness
Psalm For the Slightly Tilted
This is not a good year.But it has witnesses.When you see them protest the powerful, since who else does, they stand like flagpoles outside the courthouse after a northeaster.They came with the wrong shoes for revolution. Still, they showed up.Comfort, Lord, their bodies—each a question mark doing time as a coat rack, hung with borrowed jackets.They are your legion of bent spoons.They are the only ones who showed up—with their orthopedic flair.I saw my people lean—not toward hope but toward each other.They chant off-rhythm and mean it.These are my kind of people:no tears—just steam from a kettle that never quite boils. In times like these, don’t forget us:the lopsided leaning on one another, like sodden paperbacks left out on the stoop—Nobody opens them.But they still insist on carrying the plot. Comfort us standing up—half scarecrow half saxophone with a squawk.While stiffness becomes state policy, comfort us sitting—in that collapse called calm.In the year they come for us watch my people make protest signs out of old pizza boxes.Watch—there are no boring people which is unfortunate.You’d think statistically we’d get at least a few—one-speed souls with just meh stuff to do.But none of them are dull.Each—a suitcase held together by duct tape.These are your coffee-stained saints who rise not with trumpets but with Advil.They stand and wait creased like maps of a country that doesn’t exist anymore.
Published in the print edition of the January 26, 2026, issue. Ilya Kaminsky is a poet and a translator. With Katie Farris, he translated, from the Ukrainian, “Letters of the Alphabet Go to War,” by Lesyk Panasiuk (January, 2026).
More Actions Today if You Have the Bandwidth
Call/write Senators King and Collins to support extending the ACA tax credits which will be voted on next week in the Senate. The Maine People’s Alliance makes this really easy through their communications system, go here. If you wish to write your own note or call, their contact information is below in the Contact Information part of this email.
ICE related ActionsTODAY, Jan. 29, at 1 pm the Maine legislature’s Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on an emergency bill, LD 2106 “An Act to Prohibit the Disclosure of Nonpublic Records Without Proper Judicial Review” to make sure ICE can’t enter private spaces in hospitals, schools, and childcare centers (learn more here . We have an ACTION TOOLKIT on this bill here We need people to testify in support of this bill – in writing, on Zoom or in person – so sign up here if you’re interested and an MPA organizer will be in touch. Contact your local Representative and Senator to support this bill, and send testimony to the hearing, or plan to be there to testify in person.
Maine’s Attorney General Aaron Frey has started an ICE tip-line Citizens are urged to report intimidating and excessive federal enforcement behavior to CitizenReporting.OAG@maine.gov. “
Emailers should be advised that any content sent may be subject to public dissemination under Maine’s Freedom of Access Laws.”
The Maine Immigrant’s Rights Coalition has set up a resource hub on responding to ICE. Think about what your risk tolerance is and then activate – you could get ICE verifier and de-escalation training, you could support NO Mask in Maine legislation, you could help your local organizers bring food to families who are not leaving home right now, and, offer to take their kids to school. Lots of resources below. If you see what you identify as an ICE vehicle in your town call the ICE Watch hotline in Maine:207 544 9989. You can also text them a photo of what you believe to be an ICE vehicle, or any ICE actions in your area.
ICE Masks Off. Let’s support legislation to this effect in Maine. Talk with your local rep or senator about this. It will require some finagling to get this into this emergency session, but it surely qualifies as an emergency! Ask Gov. Mills to put this bill in, which she can do regardless.
Call or email Senator King to filibuster more funding for ICE in the upcoming appropriations bill. Appropriations bills need 60 votes to overrule a filibuster. No extra funding for ICE. Call Collins to ask her to deny requests for more funding for ICE in the upcoming appropriations bill. See above
Call or write King, Collins, Golden or Pingree and ask them to speak out about the deployment of violent ICE agents to American cities and states and now in Maine. They are terrorizing our people, and not in any way making our country safer. Demand a full investigation of ICE killings, refuse to pass extra appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security which funds ICE, and call for the Impeachment of Kristi (Cowboy Hat) Noem. For more information and a script for your call go to 5calls.org.
There are now 140 co-sponsors of a bill to impeach Krist Noem, Head of the Department of Homeland Security.
Activate Maine has an ICE toolkit including links to sign up for ICE verifier and de escalation trainings.If you want to get more involved check out
this training manual for becoming an ICE verifier.
The Maine ACLU has a page on preparation for ICE invasion: go here.
Other resist ICE resources: Resources from the Democracy Security Project: Printable De-Escalation Pocket Guide Printable Protest Pocket Guide Other DSP Resources
Finally, 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, go here to donate to the Capital Area New Mainers Project.
ACA Related Actions
Call Collins and King and ask them to support the ACA tax extension bill coming from the House with no amendments. This bill has stalled in the Senate because Republicans want to add an abortion amendment. For more information on the ACA go here. For a full toolkit on how to support action on this go here. This bill passed in the house!!
If you have a story about how the ACA tax extension health care cuts will affect you directly or someone you know please contact Esther at the MPA. Personal stories matter!
Force the release of all the Epstein Files. Call or email Pingree or Golden and ask them to support the inherent contempt charges against Attorney General Pam Bondi which House Members Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) are threatening to draft. If passed, inherent contempt charges would allow the House to bypass the courts and force Bondi to either release the files or face personal consequences such as imprisonment. (Go to 5calls.org for more on this action)Boycott: Being a consumer is one of the greatest powers we have as members of a capitalist economy. There are numerous boycotts going on, some of which we have listed below – pressure on companies can work – as noted above Spotify is not running ICE recruitment ads, and Avelo is not running deportation flights. For a complete list of ICE related boycotts go to Icelist. This link is currently dead because people think the Russians took down this site after a whistleblower released the names of 4500 immigration law enforcement personnel. For the full story go here. Another resource on Boycotting – Scott Galloway’s podcast – Raging Moderates, discusses boycotting TechBro products at about 14:30 into the podcast, go here. (thank you Wendilee for this)
Help Protect Trans Youth:Transequality reports that 58 transgender persons have been either murdered or died by suicide since the regime rolled out its cruel rhetoric and anti-trans policies. “Trump is now beginning the process of banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth through a rulemaking process, thus sidestepping Congress and the legislative process entirely. The proposed rule, RIN 0938-AV87, would bar any hospital system that participates in Medicaid or Medicare from offering gender-affirming care to transgender youth, regardless of whether that care is paid for with federal funds or privately. You can leave a public comment here. Note that public comments really are public, so if you have a reason to protect your anonymity, do it.” (Thank you to Shelley for this action)
Mutual Aid
ActivateMaine has created a site, SNAP Into Action: “a statewide effort to help those who are affected by the freezing of benefits due to the Government shut down.” Even though the Government is “open” now, hunger issues continue for people around the country. Activate Maine also has a Mutual Aid page with lots of resources.
Heating Assistance: If you have friends, neighbors, or need support for Heating Assistance, Li Heap funds have been authorized for Maine, Click here to learn more about applying for LIHEAP assistance. Collins and King were involved in pushing that this money get released after the Government shutdown.
Insurance Crisis: If the ACA tax cuts do not go through, tens of thousands of us will have to choose between health care premiums and food or rent. If you have a personal story along these lines please contact Esther at the Maine People’s Alliance who is collecting personal testimony to support the passage of the ACA tax cuts. Call King and Collins to support the House bill just passed on the ACA tax extensions.
ICE Related Mutual Aid: Both documented and undocumented immigrants are staying home in Maine, scared to leave the house to go shopping, bring their children to school, go to Dr’s appointments etc. You can help go here to find out how.
Arts and Politics!
If you live near Skowhegan check out Kevin James Studios at 127 Water Street for a whole gallery of resistance art! (Let me know if you know of other art galleries showing political art and I will list them here.)
Research!
Learn more about Chenoweth’s 3.5% rule – go to one or more of these links: Wikipedia: BBCHarvard:
The Resource Alliance . (Thank you Beth for these links!)
GOT MORE TIME? HERE ARE SOME MORE ACTIONS (just pick one!)
- Join the Maine People’s Alliance in bringing your story to our Congresspeople: Are your insurance rates going up? Did you lose SNAP benefits – the MPA wants to hear your story and use it to fight for Mainers in the ongoing shutdown budget battle. Fill out this form and tell your story here.
- 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, go here to donate to the Capital Area New Mainers Project.
State Wide Actions
- (Calendar March 28th for the next NO KINGS national mobilization)From the Maine People’s Alliance: TODAY Thursday, Jan. 29, at 1 pm) the Maine legislature’s Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on an emergency bill, LD 2106 “An Act to Prohibit the Disclosure of Nonpublic Records Without Proper Judicial Review” to make sure ICE can’t enter private spaces in hospitals, schools, and childcare centers (learn more here . We need people to testify in support of this bill – in writing, on Zoom or in person – so sign up here if you’re interested and an MPA organizer will be in touch!
- More ICE resistance: Check in with organizations in Lewiston and Portland to see how you can help. Activate Maine has an ICE toolkit including links to sign up for ICE verifier and de escalation trainings. Get trained to field, verify, and document potential community ICE sightings and provide trusted, reliable information on ICE activity to immigrant communities. Here is the number for the ICE Watch hotline in Maine: 207 544 998
- Support the Plug-In Solar Bill LD 1730 (An Act to Make Small, Portable, Plug-in Solar Generation Devices) Energy, Utilities & Technology Public Hearing: Here is a list of talking points and more info.
- Home Depot Actions: Sign the petition that is demanding that Home Depot stop complying with ICE, personalize this letter to Home Depot corporate headquarters making the same demand, for more actions such as going to your local Home Depot and delivering a letter to the manager go to Ice Out of Home Depot.
- Mid Maine Indivisible has a great weekly newsletter – To sign up: go here. 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. The Bold Coast Civic Alliance has a newsletter as well as the Hancock County Democrat. Cumberland County Indivisible newsletter go here. Greater Portland Indivisible, go here. We are developing a great ecosystem for resistance communications in Maine.
Find Your State Senator: By name:
Find your State Representative: By name: Here , By District:Here
New:
For Maine State Legislative Calendar day by day go here
For links to US Legislative Calendars go here
Check complete bill listing here.
Find the text of any bill here
Instructions for testifying are here
LOCAL ACTIONS:
Join Mid Maine Indivisible(Kennebec and Somerset Counties) Please join us if you are in the Mid Maine area. To sign up: go here. Keep your calendars open for a NOTTHISPRESIDENT’s Day February 16th, 11:30 to 1 right here in Waterville. Register for it here.
There is a community member who is looking to provide home cleaning services in the Waterville area for $25 an hour. Send an email with subject “Cleaning” to get in contact for scheduling! You would be providing income for a local mother with an infant son to care for.
Are you interested in helping New Mainers learn/improve their English? To sign up for English tutoring or any of our other volunteer opportunities, please visit: Capital Area New Mainers Project (CANMP) to fill out a volunteer interest survey. An English Learning option at the Waterville library at 1:00 on Mondays is also an option for volunteers. Contact CANMP for the details. You can also Donate to the Capitol Area New Mainers Project’s rapid response fund. CANMP is actively helping those affected by ICE abductions, both with legal funding and other financial support for family members.
The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition and partners have organized an ICE watch Hotline in Maine. They need volunteer hotline operators to answer phones from Mainers concerned about ICE sitings. They are looking for folks fluent in one or more of the following: Spanish, French and Portugese. 207-544-9989
Thursday, January 29th, Fairfield Benton Bridge 3-4 pm: Probably not happening on Christmas….stop the coup, support Democracy.
First Saturday of Each Month: Somerset Stands Up Rallies 2:30–Margaret Chase Smith Bridge, downtown Skowhegan. Bring your signs, American flags, your voice, your friends, families and neighbors for this peaceful gathering of concerned residents of Somerset County.
Sunday, February 1st : 1:00 (and every Sunday) Bridge on KMD by the CVS Waterville: Stop the Killing, (ICE, Venezuela, USAID closing, ACA extensions dropped, etc.)
Tuesday, February 3d: 12:00-1:00 (and every Tuesday) Old Location at Tesla Charging Stations at Elm Plaza, Waterville Stand with us to remind the traffic that we need to WAKE UP and start resisting the authoritarian take over of our Government. We have been at this location since Tuesday, Feb. 4th? 2025!
Wednesday, February 4th: (and every Wednesday) 12:00-1:00 Waterville, Corner of Main and Chaplin St. Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights, GRR! demonstrates every Wednesday across from Resolve, the local anti-abortion center. Please join us in assuring all Mainers have access to safe, legal, shame-free reproductive health care including abortions and contraceptive care. For more info please contact Elayne Richard at recordconnection@gmail.com
SOLIDARITY
*Consider supporting Graham Platner. He is an electrifying speaker, with good positions on the important issues. Volunteer here. Go to Mobilize to find the events you can take part in this week.
However, Mills is a good alternative to support if she wins the primary in June. We must oust Collins!*If you would like to join Maine People’s Alliance Federal Lobby Group, please contact Jim Parakilas at jamesparakilas@gmail.com. We meet Mondays at 2 pm on Zoom.
With great appreciation for all the engagement everywhere! As always, throw a little sand in their gears! Emanuel
“It is about the very essence of America and the fundamental tenet that here, power comes from the people; here the rule of law reigns, here everyone is treated equally under the law, and here we have no kings.” Janet Mills State of the Union Speech Tuesday January 27th, 2026
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!
Senator Angus King
DC: (202) 224-5344
Augusta: (207) 622-8292
Senator Susan Collins
DC: (202) 224-2523
Augusta: (207) 622-8414
Bangor: (207) 945-0417
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
DC: (202) 225-6116
Portland: (207) 774-5019
Waterville: (207) 873-5713
Congressman 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
Find your State Senator:
By name: Here
By district: Here
Our government in Augusta:
Governor Janet Mills
Email Governor Mills
Call (207) 287-3531
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows
Contact Secretary Bellows
Call (207)626-8400
Attorney General Aaron M. Frey
Contact Mr. Frey
Call (207) 626-8800
Questions or comments? Contact George!
