Susan Collins promised in 1996 to be a two-term senator (watch here!). It’s now thirty years later and she is seeking a sixth term!? Stranger still, is the fact that she has not held a single town hall for over twenty five years! Compare that to the more than 50 town hall events held within the last six months by Democratic primary candidates. Despite multiple requests, Susan Collins still will not hold a town hall…. So we decided to hold one without her! Check out details for the event below and register to come and have YOUR voice be heard! We hope to see you there!
Do you want to become more involved? Would you like to help with the website and communications? Help organize events like rallies and visibility actions? Or do you just want to keep up with what we’re doing? Sign up to volunteer with Indivisible Bangor — your level of involvement is up to you!
Weekly member meetings are on Zoom, with in-person meetings on the first Wednesday of the month. As always, check out our Bluesky and Instagram for the latest info.
NEWS
Maine coalition urges state legislature to pass reforms on housing crisis by 2026
At the Maine State House on Thursday, members of Build Homes Build Community addressed legislators directly with what housing-related bills they’d like to see passed.
The group’s 2026 legislative agenda includes support for bills that focus on three main areas of need identified by the coalition: Innovate, Streamline, Fund.
Read the entire article here.
Susan Collins supports “Save America Act”
Despite Mainers voting overwhelmingly to reject the voter suppression measures list in Question 1 last November, Senator Collins has decided that she supports even stricter voter suppression measures.The bill recently passed in the House and will be up for vote in the Senate soon. From Bangor Daily News:
Trump has framed the bill as a national voter ID push, although it is slightly different than that. Democrats have argued it could still bar millions of people from voting, with the liberal Brennan Center for Justice saying 21 million Americans lack ready access to the documents that would be required to prove citizenship. Noncitizens are barred from voting in federal elections.
Read the entire article here.
Celebrating Black History Month
In celebration of Black History Month, we will be sharing local Black History and Black Community resources throughout the month.
The origins of Black History Month date back nearly a century to historian Carter G. Woodson, who sought to bring national attention to the role African Americans have played in shaping the United States. These efforts gained momentum on college campuses in the mid-20th century, and in 1976 the observance received formal federal recognition, underscoring the importance of honoring contributions that had long been underrepresented in historical narratives.
Maine’s history reflects the presence, resilience, and impact of African American communities. From early participation in maritime industries to landmarks such as the Abyssinian Meeting House, the state’s first Black church, these stories are woven into Maine’s past. Exploring this history provides valuable context for understanding both the state’s development and the diverse experiences that continue to shape it.
From Recognizing Black History Month, University of Maine at Augusta.
On February 23 (7pm ET/4pm PT), in celebration of Black History Month, Indivisible will launch this year’s Solidarity in Action: Building Power That Lasts discussion series with Systems and Power: Lessons From Those Who Came Before Us. Get more details in EVENTS.
ACTIONS
Attend an event!
Events are easy to attend and only require a small amount of time investment – some you can even attend from the comfort of your own couch! Take a look at the upcoming events below and register.
Become a Community Watch ICE Verifier
Register to learn how to be a community watch ICE verifier. Help protect your community and keep yourself safe. This training will be held in person on Tuesday at 6:00 pm. Click below to register and learn more about the event.
Oppose the SAVE Act, MEGA Act, and Save America Act
Take action on the SAVE Act, the MEGA Act, and the Save America Act. These anti-democratic bills could be fast-tracked through Congress, with the Save America Act passed in the U.S. House last week (SAVE Act passed in the House last year). These laws would require voters to prove their citizenship by showing a passport or birth certificate in order to register to vote — a requirement that would disenfranchise millions of voters. According to the Brennan Center, “21 million American citizens don’t have these documents readily available.”
This bill would especially burden military voters, tribal voters, rural voters, and survivors of natural disasters. Plus, are you someone who’s married and changed your name? Or just someone who’s changed your name? You, too, could be affected. This could also affect Mainers living near the border who might have been born at a Canadian hospital to U.S. parents.
The MEGA Act would prohibit the use of mail-in voting (like absentee voting) and Ranked Choice Voting. The bill promotes voter roll purges and criminalizes clerical errors by election workers. It’s a package of terrible ideas built upon false, debunked theories that our elections are not secure. Maine has the right to conduct our elections, which are already fair, transparent, and accessible. Let’s reject this federal intervention.
Support childcare funding
Next week, our legislators will be considering a number of bills that will make Maine’s childcare system stronger.
This includes LD 1955, which will provide $15 million in ongoing funding for the Child Care Affordability Program. This will provide immediate relief to children and families who are currently on waitlists, while also ensuring future families can access affordable childcare without delays as they work, pursue education, or engage in job training.
LD 2066 will make the Child Care Affordability Program Educator Employment Award permanent. This will ensure that current employees at licensed childcare programs receive tuition support and will help to both recruit and retain qualified staff. And lastly, LD 1414 will increase infant and toddler payment rates through the Child Care Affordability Program for eligible families—making it easier for providers to offer affordable care for the youngest kids.
This action is sponsored by our friends over at Maine People’s Alliance.
Support Sexual Abuse Survivors
Ask your Congressional Representatives to co-sponsor and support “Virginia’s Law”, a bill that would remove the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to sexual abuse and trafficking. This law, named after Virginia Guiffre an Epstein abuse survivor and outspoken advocate for justice, would empower survivors by giving them a legal means to seek justice with no expiration date. Given the horrendous treatment survivors have gotten through the unreacted release of their names in the current Epstein Files release, this is a small step Congress can take to redress the harm done.
More details on this in the Guardian.
Write a letter to the editor
Letters to the editor are published regularly in the local newspapers from Mainers who support the brutal tactics of the authoritarian Trump regime. Write a letter to set the record straight. Click the button to go to the Bangor Daily News “Submit a letter or column” page, the Portland Press Herald “Letters to the editor” page, and the “Letter to the Editor” page at the Ellsworth American.
Contact your legislators
If you want an easy way to actually do something, check out 5calls.org. You enter your location, pick an issue you care about, and it gives you your representatives’ phone numbers and a script. That’s it. Calling your elected officials is one of the most effective forms of civic engagement there is!
If you are more comfortable with sending emails to our Maine congressional delegation in Washington, click the links/buttons. This is a good option if you have lengthy comments or questions.
Donate to a food bank
Please DONATE to a local food pantry- food, personal items, and even cash. Faith Linking in Action maintains a database of all food pantries and free meals– organized by both location and day of the week– in the Bangor area. Check it out here.
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.” If you know of any food drives that are happening, please visit this site to add it to the database!
EVENTS
Weekly Events
Vigils in the Bangor Area
Tuesdays
11:00 am @ the Federal Building
Wednesdays
12:00-1:00 pm @ the town center – Details
Bangor Visibility Brigade
Fridays
3:30 pm @ Essex Street Overpass
Virtual Events
Thursdays
7:30 pm – League of Women Voters Youth Advocacy Team – Details
Monthly Events
Monthly Indivisible Bangor Meeting
5:00 pm Every first Wednesday @ Zoom
Future Events
Systems and Power: Lessons From Those Who Came Before Us
7:00 pm February 23, 2026
Celebrate Black history and leadership by examining how past organizers built resilient movements. Explore systemic power structures and inequities, and translate historical lessons into contemporary movement-building and leadership practices.
We are thrilled to announce our special guest, Barbara R. Arnwine, esq, president & founder of the Transformative Justice Coalition. Barbara is internationally renowned for contributions on critical justice issues including the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1991 and the 2006 reauthorization of provisions of the Voting Rights Act.
The ACLU of Maine’s Legal Fights for Immigrants’ Rights
6:00 pm February 24, 2026
Join staff attorneys Anahita Sotoohi and Max Brooks to hear about how their legal work to protect immigrants’ rights in Maine. They’ll cover how we work in the courts to ensure the rights of individual immigrants, how accessing public records sheds light on law enforcement and federal immigration operations, and the resources available to immigrants and their communities.
Youth Advocacy for Tribal Sovereignty
6:00 pm February 26, 2026
This year, Maine lawmakers have another chance to advance Wabanaki sovereignty. But what does sovereignty truly mean for the Wabanaki Nations of what is now called Maine?
Join us for an educational event that highlights how young people are leading efforts to advocate for the Nations’ rights to self-governance and access to federal programs.
The event will cover the history of the Settlement Acts, Wabanaki sovereignty, and how young people are leading the movement. An interactive workshop will also encourage attendees to urge legislators to pass this year’s Wabanaki Sovereignty bills.
Maine Indivisible Network Statewide Call
5:00 pm February 24, 2026
Join Maine Indivisible leaders, group members, grassroots activists, and community partners for our next statewide call. The Maine Rising team will lead a group discussion about state and local action priorities during the second half of the agenda.
Hancock County Democratic Party Caucus
10:00 am February 28, 2026
Many of us have been disappointed that the Democratic party has not done more to fend off the current Republican assault on our democratic institutions and moral values. But we cannot succumb to cynicism or despair; giving up not an option.
We all need to show up, be vocal, and force the party do what it needs to do. What it was designed to do. When we raise our collective voices, the party leadership will be forced to listen to us. And as history shows, the Democratic Party can be a powerful force for democracy and the rule of law.
Our participation is what creates the power. Together we can make a difference. But to do so we must build solidarity. There are literally thousands of Registered Democrats in Hancock County that we haven’t heard from or met. Your voice may be like a single strand of spider silk, but a rope made of spider silk is stronger than steel (1). Please come to the caucus and use your energy to steer the ship in the right direction! Carpool with other Registered Dems and get there early for the best parking.
Singing Our Solidarity
3:00 pm March 7, 2026
The Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine along with co-
sponsors Indivisible Bangor, Pax Christi Maine, Faith Linking in
Action, and Food and Medicine is pleased to invite the community
to join us as we sing together and support our neighbors and
communities impacted by ICE raids and detention in Maine.
Music leadership by Women With Wings, by Judd Esty-Kendall,
and by others. Songs will be easy to learn and joyful to share.
The community is invited to raise our voice of concern, hope, and
love together in shared music. The event is hosted by St John’s
Episcopal Church.
No music/singing experience needed.
Donations will be collected to support the Maine Solidarity Fund.
The fund is an initiative of the People’s Coalition for Safety and
Justice, a collective of frontline organizations, cultural anchors,
and direct service providers with deep ties to Maine’s immigrant,
and Trans communities.
Map and directions: https://stjohnsbangor.org/map-and-directions
For more information: (207) 862-3638
NO KINGS PROTEST
March 28, 2026
days
hours minutes seconds
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In 2025, millions of Americans came together in nonviolent protest to oppose the growing authoritarian actions of the Trump administration and affirm that this nation belongs to its people, not to kings. Since then, people have continued to rise up nonviolently against the Trump administration’s ongoing brutality and abuses of power, including the latest escalation in Minnesota. The No Kings Coalition is activating an immediate and ongoing nationwide digital organizing effort leading up to our next mass mobilization on March 28, including a flagship event in the Twin Cities.
Susan Collins Empty Chair Town Hall
6:00 pm March 30, 2026
Susan Collins hasn’t held a Town Hall in over 25 years. She is supposed to represent Mainers, yet refuses to face her constituents. That’s why Indivisible Bangor, alongside many other co-sponsors, is holding one for her. Enough is enough – it’s time YOUR voices are heard. We’ve invited Senator Collins to attend twice, but we’ve received no response.
All are welcome to attend to speak or listen. Those that wish to speak will have two minutes to do so.
Doors will open at 5:30pm and the Town Hall will take place from 6pm-8pm. Space is limited so all are encouraged to arrive early.
RESOURCES
Friends of Indivisible Bangor
ICE In Maine
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 ICE resources that have been listed in previous newsletters can be found here.
Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition has published a resource hub here.
ACLU Maine – Know Your Rights
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.
Legislator Contact Info
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!
