Author: George Lincoln

  • Emanuel’s Daily Action Email, Tuesday, 1/27/26 – Full Text

    Emanuel’s Daily Action Email, Tuesday, 1/27/26 – Full Text

    Action Tuesday January 27th: Continue Swamping King and Collins Offices With Stop Funding ICE Demands + Submit Testimony on LD 2106 to Keep ICE Out of Schools

    Good Morning Folks, it’s Tuesday, and extra funding for ICE goes to the Senate for a vote possibly today.  King has voiced his opposition, Collins not. If you think your participation doesn’t make a difference remember the 3.5% rule. (See below for links to more info. on this research.) Ps. As our list of action grows, Gmail may shorten the email. You can ask it to include the whole email, but check to make sure you are getting the full email.

    Top Action to Take Today: 

    If you haven’t done this, do this first: Contact Senators Collins and King and ask that they vote against more funding for ICE in the Continuing Resolution Bill to be voted on in the Senate this week. DHS (Department of Homeland Security) already got billions of dollars in the “Big” bill passed this summer. ICE and Border Patrol have murdered two American Citizens, while 32 others have died in the American Gulag “detention centers”. They don’t need more funding.  Funding for DHS can get stripped out of the Continuing Resolution Bill and acted on separately so voting no doesn’t mean another government shutdown. 5calls.org has a demand to defund ICE entirely.

    If you have done the above, contact three friends who might be willing to hop on the phone or email and do the same. Ask them to contact like minded friends of theirs. Last night the mailboxes of Angus King in both DC and Augusta were FULL and couldn’t take any more messages. I expect most of these calls were in favor of stopping ICE and DHS funding in this appropriation.

    Finally, if you have done that – try this from Chop Wood, Carry Water – “Let’s call John Thune in his capacity as Senate Majority Leader. (202) 224-2321 or (605) 225-8823 or (605) 334-9596 or (605) 348-7551. Obviously the DC number is best but if you can’t get through do use one of the others!   We can say something like: “My name is ______ and I’m an American citizen from [state]. I’m calling Senator Thune in his capacity as Senate Majority Leader to ask him to please strip the DHS funding bill out and make it a standalone bill so the other appropriations bills can be passed and the DHS bill can be reworked.”

    More Actions Today if You Have the BandwidthCall/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 ActionsFrom the Maine People’s Alliance: Next week (on 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!


    The Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has started an ICE tip-lineCitizens 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.”

    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 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.

    ICE is here primarily in Lewiston and Portland. They won’t talk about their “mission” and the Bangor Daily News reports increased arrests in both towns.  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. 


    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.

    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 ProjectMainers for Humane ImmigrationImmigrant 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 hereFor 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 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.

    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.

    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!)

    State Wide Actions

    • From the Maine People’s Alliance: Next week (on 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:

    Here , By district: Here

    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

    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. 207-544-9989Tuesday, January 27th: 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, January 28th: (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 
    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.) 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


    “America is an old house. We can never declare the work over. Wind, flood, drought, and human upheavals batter a structure that is already fighting whatever flaws were left unattended in the original foundation….Not one of us was here when this house was built. We are the heirs to whatever is right or wrong with it.”  Isabelle Wilkerson from Caste


    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 nameHere
    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!

  • BCCA Action Items- Monday, January 26, 2026

    I know everyone is super upset about what’s been happening in Minneapolis, especially with ICE now in Maine, but let’s try hard not to forget about the Epstein papers. We need to ramp up or at least not let up the pressure on the DOJ to release those files. Congress must do whatever it can to enforce the law they voted in to get those files released. Bondi is not complying, so she will have to be coerced. We can’t let Trump think we don’t care about those files anymore. It’s the only thing that seems to really scare him. I’m not doing a specific action because this is one we can all probably do in our sleep now. So just keep doing what you’ve been doing! 

    Action Items to choose from (or do all of them: your choice!) Scroll down to the matching number of your option: 

    1)      Time for elected Republicans to stop the insanity 

    2)      Block increased funding for ICE and CBP 

    3)      Support Minnesotans, especially those in Minneapolis 

    4)      Maine-specific: Help Claire Weinberg get on the 2026 ballot for Maine State Senate 

    Reminder: When you call vs when you email via our reps’ websites (best way to contact them in writing), don’t forget to begin with: “Hi, my name is [name] and I’m a constituent calling from [zip code]. That is important, because if they don’t know you’re actually a constituent, your opinion will be ignored. 

    Contact info:

    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 nameHere
    By district: Here

    (Please note that for those of you receiving this email who are not represented by Senators or House members in our district, I have to leave it up to you to find the contact info for your own representatives.)

    Actions 

    1) Time for elected Republicans to stop the insanity: 

         According to G. Elliott Morris of Strength in Numbers (www.gelliottmorris.com/):   

    “All it would take to end the murder of American citizens by an untrained government goon squad is 16 Republicans in Congress voting with Dems to defund ICE (or 23 to impeach and remove Trump—3 in House & 20 in Senate). That’s it. 23 Americans can vote for the public and end all of this.” 

          Contact Susan Collins to demand that she get a spine, refuse to fund ICE any further, and stop supporting the actions of Donald Trump, Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, Greg Bovino, Pete Hegseth, etc. She should denounce the clown car running our government and exhort her colleagues to retake Congress’s Constitutionally vested powers to be a check on the executive office. 

    2) Block increased funding for ICE and CBP: 

         Last week, the House passed a DHS funding bill with the help of 7 Democrats—including our very own Jared Golden. Contact Jared Golden and tell him how disappointed you are with his crossing the aisle to vote with the GOP on giving ICE and CBP more funding without sufficient guardrails controlling their behavior. 

         This week the Senate is likely to vote on the bill. ICE and CBP already have more money than they should need for proper immigration enforcement—money that has been stripped from other federal agencies—ones that actually help taxpayers. What’s more, no one is doing anything to rein in these out-of-control, gun-nut “agents” who are breaking into people’s homes without a judicial warrant (against the 4th Amendment), kidnapping and terrorizing people, using unnecessary and vicious force against peaceful protestors, and generally wreaking criminal havoc against the people of our country.  

          There can be no new DHS funding bill until: ICE and CBP pull out of Minneapolis; independent investigations into Renee Good and Alex Pretti’s murders are started; Kristi Noem and Greg Bovino are removed; Stephen Miller is fired, and Federal funding for ICE is frozen. We need real, solid change before more innocent people are murdered by our government.  

         Contact Senators Angus King and Susan Collins to remind them that Congress is supposed to protect and uphold the Constitution and to demand that they vote NO on giving ICE and Border Patrol even more funding. There can be no wavering. (And remind Susan Collins that this is a moment not for supporting her party but for supporting the entire country. People are being killed. She can help stop the killing. Nothing less is acceptable. If she doesn’t, she’ll have the blood of the next murder victim on her hands.) 

         And from the Chop Wood, Carry Water substack newsletter: 

         Let’s call John Thune in his capacity as Senate Majority Leader. (202) 224-2321 or (605) 225-8823 or (605) 334-9596 or (605) 348-7551. Obviously the DC number is best but if you can’t get through do use one of the others! 

         We can say something like: 

         “My name is ______ and I’m an American citizen from [state]. I’m calling Senator Thune in his capacity as Senate Majority Leader to ask him to please strip the DHS funding bill out and make it a standalone bill so the other appropriations bills can be passed and the DHS bill can be reworked. This should not be a partisan moment. We are begging you to help us. ICE and DHS are violating our Constitutional rights and executing innocent people. We are scared. We need immediate reform or more people will die. Thanks.” 

         And finally, on this subject, a good piece on messaging what’s going on in Minnesota: https://reframingamerica.substack.com/p/one-pager 

    3) Support Minnesotans, especially those in Minneapolis: 

         Check out this growing list of support ideas: https://linktr.ee/SWMPLS_Response  

    4) Maine-specific:  

     Help Claire Weinberg get on the 2026 ballot for Maine State Senate:       

         For those of you who are aware, our esteemed (not) Maine State Congressman is Billy Bob Faulkingham. Now that he’s termed out in the Maine House of Representatives, he’s decided to run for Maine State Senate. We need to stop him, but no Democrat has put their hat in the ring…until now. Claire Weinberg, owner of the cool business Dulse & Rugosa (best all-natural shampoo bars and other fun stuff!), has decided that it is unacceptable that we have no Democrat running against the likes of Billy Bob and has stated her intention to run for the Maine State Senate.

         But to get on the ballot, Claire needs enough signatures from registered Democrats in District 6, her/our district comprising all of Washington County and some of Hancock County. To this end, Claire will be holding an afternoon tea & petition signing at Dulse & Rugosa (337 U.S. Route 1—a gathering of colorful little buildings across the road from Harbor Girl Emporium) every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm. She’ll have petitions to sign for her Senate plans, as well as petitions to sign to get Nirav Shah (head of Maine CDC during Covid) on the ballot for Governor.  

        Go sign! If you have the wherewithal, grab some petitions to get more signatures. Do whatever you can to help. We can’t have the Republicans running unopposed. (Note that petitions are town specific: You must sign only the petition for the town in which you are registered to vote. 

    Yours in Civic Action

    Bold Coast Civic Alliance

  • Action 201 – MAINE legislation 1/26-1/30

    A message from the Hancock Country Democrats (1/26):

    I usually try to list hearings for the upcoming week on Sunday, but yesterday we were driving back from New Brunswick, Canada (Brrrr!), so this week’s edition is late.  Also, note only HEARINGS are listed.  There are follow-up work sessions that you can often tune in to, and you can always contact your legislator about any bill any time, even after they have voted and you want to praise or condemn their vote.  

    Check complete bill listing here: https://legislature.maine.gov/Calendar/#PHWS.  
                
    Find the text of any bill here: https://legislature.maine.gov.  Form your own opinions!        

    Instructions for testifying are here:  https://www.mainelegislature.org/testimony/

    LD 2150 is a bill introduced by Sen. Grohoski.  It has quite a few cosponsors, mostly Democrats plus one Independent and one Republican.  Its purpose is to deal with protests/protestors, protecting individual rights while addressing safety concerns.  The bill requires “state entities” to state reasons why a “person” is denied access to state property or services. One of the “whereas” clauses is telling: “Whereas, the number of protests held on state properties and the need for services provided by state agencies are anticipated to increase in 2026 and coming years”… (you betcha!) The public hearing testimony might tell us more about the problems the legislation seeks to address.

    LD 2106 is an important bill that would prohibit a specific group of entities (public schools, state postsecondary educational institutions, health care facilities, child care facilities, family child care providers and public libraries) from giving voluntary consent to ICE enforcers to enter nonpublic areas of their facilities unless there is a valid judicial warrant (just like the Fourth Amendment intended).  And they are allowed to challenge the validity of the supposed warrant. (1)  Plus, the Attorney General is charged with developing, by January 1 2027, guidance for these entities so that they “remain safe and accessible to all state residents regardless of immigration status.” 

    There are three bills to address the needs of teen agers: LD 2008, another Grohoski bill, supports tuition, room and board for kids attending the Maine School of Science and Math; LD 2065 provides funds for constructing a psychiatric facility for at-risk youth; and LD 2109 essentially says that kids attending a private school can have tuition reimbursed only if that school is located in Maine.

    (1) Learn how to tell the difference between a judicial warrant and an administrative warrant.  See for example https://x.com/NILC/status/1149755946081538049

    Find your State Representative
    By nameHere
    By district: Here

    Find your State Senator:
    By name: Here
    By district: Here

  • Action 200 – NO MORE ICE

    A message from the Hancock Country Democrats (1/26):

    Background:  The Senate votes this week on giving even more money to ICE.  King will probably vote against the extra funding.  Pingree voted against it in the house.  Collins of course isn’t saying how she will vote. Golden already voted for increased funding – he’s hopeless and we are glad he’s not running again, but there are still many months left in his term, which won’t expire until January 3, 2027.

    We are informed that funding for DHS can be stripped out of the Continuing Resolution Bill and voted down separately, so voting NO does NOT automatically mean another government shutdown.

    Action:
      Call Collins today – and maybe every day until the vote is recorded.   Send just four words: “DO NOT FUND ICE.”  Multiply your effectiveness by asking 10 friends to do likewise. 

    The judgment of history is relentless.  It would do no harm and possibly some good to send a letter to the editor to the effect that Jared Golden’s vote in favor of extra funding for ICE, and his previous vote in favor of the SAVE act (a disenfranchising bill which may be resurfacing), will brand him forever in the history books as unworthy of his party and its values.

    Contact:
    Senator Susan Collins   
    Email: www.collins.senate.gov/contact/email-senator-collins/form      
    DC: (202) 224-2523 
    Augusta: (207) 622-8414
    Bangor: (207) 945-0417

  • IB News: Monday, 1/26: ICE IN MAINE; ICE Response Resources; NO KINGS “EYES ON ICE” Call

    IB News: Monday, 1/26: ICE IN MAINE; ICE Response Resources; NO KINGS “EYES ON ICE” Call

    Good morning. ICE is now in Maine in several cities. The newsletter will be sporadic for the next few weeks, so be sure to check out our Blue Sky and Instagram accounts for current info.

    Meanwhile, I will post links to resources on our rights that pertain to these brutal and illegal actions.

    Following this newsletter is today’s Emanuel’s Daily Action Email from Augusta – the daily action along with a link to his great list of important actions and information. Today’s Top Action discusses the House “compromise” funding bill and requests we call our House reps to have them vote “no.”

    Three new actions from Hancock County Democrats: Action 197 – Walkout on January 20th (TODAY!) (1/15), Action 198 – Defund ICE (1/16), and Action 199 – Maine legislation 1/19-1/23 (1/18). More Hancock County Democrats actions are found here.

    Also, a new action from the Bold Coast Civic Alliance, (1/22) and (1/16), on how to stop ICE and keep ICE out of Maine. More BCCA actions here.

    A lot of research goes into these additional actions, so be sure to read them!

    And THANK YOU to supporters who have been donating to our ActBlue fund! Planning events and maintaining the website and email list take money, so these donations are appreciated!


    Current News:

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    Weekly vigils are happening here in the Bangor area!

    *****
    TOMORROW!
    Tuesdays
    Weekly Vigil at the Federal Building in Bangor 11:00 am

    *****
    Wednesdays
    Weekly Orono Vigil in the town center,

    12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.  
    *****
    NEW WEEKLY THURSDAY VIGIL
    At the Federal Building in Bangor
    3:00 p.m.

    Based on the success of the recent protest, this is now a regular vigil every Thursday to keep Trump’s lawlessness and outrages before the public.
    *****


    Fridays
    Bangor Visibility Brigade

    The week finishes with two highway overpass actions! There is the Visibility Brigade on the Essex Street I-95 overpass at the new time of 3:00 p.m. Learn more here. Tell them you read about it here!


    NO KINGS MASS CALL TONIGHT, 8:00 PM EST.

    About this event

    On Saturday, federal agents horrifically shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who cared for veterans, in the Eat Street neighborhood of south Minneapolis after brutally beating him in front of witnesses. 

    Enough is enough. Exercising our Constitutional right to document and record ICE and other federal agents is more important than ever. 
    This call will give you the tools to exercise your rights in a moment when federal agents are terrorizing our communities and using excessive force. 

    Join our call, Eyes on Ice: Document and Record on Monday, January 26th, 2026, at 8:00 pm ET. RSVP for Link. 1/26/26 at 8 PM ET. 

    We will cover the latest updates on ICE and CBP’s out-of-control and dangerous operations. We will talk through rights when documenting and recording law enforcement encounters, and how you can continue to take action. 

    RSVP NOW HERE.


    ICE IN MAINE RESOURCES

    From Indivisible Cumberland County, we have the following:

    The ICE surge is now happening in Maine
    What do we know?

    We understand that the ICE operation in Maine will be an extension of what’s happening in Minnesota, where the administration has been targeting Somali immigrant communities and refugee communities in furtherance of a fraud narrative.

    We expect an enforcement operation will heavily focus on Lewiston in particular, as well as Portland, but that does not mean it will be contained to those areas. We understand some immigration agents have already arrived in Maine, and we are expecting many more in the coming days. 

    The potential focus on Somali immigrants does not mean other immigrant communities in Maine won’t be targeted. And the potential focus on refugees does not mean people with other immigration statuses won’t be targeted. Partners in Minnesota report that while there is a focus on refugees and Somali immigrants, people are being profiled and indiscriminately targeted while out in public.

    What information should I share on social media?
    Please do not share information that will cause needless fear for immigrant communities at this already-stressful time. As always, only share verified, accurate information. ILAP, the ACLU of Maine, and the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic at the University of Maine School of Law have put together this resource if you are looking for accurate Know Your Rights and other materials to share with your networks: 

    What rights do immigrants have?All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. These include:

    The right not to open the door to your home to ICE, unless the agent has a signed judicial warrant.

    The right to ask an ICE officer, “Am I free to leave?”

    The right not to answer an immigration officer’s questions and to tell an immigration officer, “I choose not to say anything.”Importantly, even if someone exercises their rights, ICE may ignore them and still detain them. If ICE tries to detain someone, they should do their best to stay calm and not run away or resist arrest. Learn more

    What do I do if I see immigration enforcement officers?
    Make sure you know your rights regarding filming an ICE arrest or encounter:

    Filming Immigration Enforcement in the U.S.

    -Report what you’ve seen to Maine’s ICE Watch Hotline at 207-544-9989.

    Complete this form if you believe an immigration officer has violated someone’s rights.

    How do I make sure my business, school, or place of worship is prepared for ICE enforcement? Learn more here.

    What do I do if someone in my community is detained?

    -What if my loved one is detained? Know Your Rights: What to Do if You or a Loved One is Detained.

    -How can I find my detained loved one? Track detained person’s location.What if my loved one is detained at Cumberland County Jail (ME), Two Bridges Regional Jail (ME), or Strafford County Correctional Facility (NH)? Complete this form.

    -What if my loved one is detained at Plymouth County Correctional Facility (MA) or Wyatt Detention Facility (RI)? Complete this form.

    -How can I or someone I know who is detained obtain financial help (bail, bond, commissary, etc.)? Visit the Maine Immigrant Resource Hub.

    Based on what we know now, how can communities respond?

    Support Lewiston: On-the ground support will be needed in Lewiston. Make sure to obtain permits if needed for protests and take all steps to comply with local laws and remain peaceful. Use visuals and photos and amplify on social media and to the press. However, please be cautious about sharing photos of people’s faces without consent and take other steps necessary to protect each other.

    Document ICE Activity: Minneapolis organizations report that in addition to enforcement against refugees and Somali immigrants, other people on the street are being profiled and indiscriminately targeted. Strategize on ways to help keep people safe. 
    ***Make sure you know your rights regarding filming an ICE arrest or encounter: Filming Immigration Enforcement in the U.S.

    ***Report what you’ve seen to Maine’s ICE Watch Hotline at 207-544-9989.

    ***Complete this form if you believe an immigration officer has violated someone’s rights.

    ***Share footage with the press as is strategic and consider the consent and safety of people you’re filming.

    Encourage Maine Businesses Not to Serve or Otherwise Welcome Immigration Agents: Talk to businesses in Lewiston, Portland, and beyond and encourage them not to serve ICE agents and to post signs of solidarity with immigrant communities in business windows. Take care not to draw particular attention to places where noncitizens might be.

    Organize Donations to the Maine Solidarity Fund: https://www.mainesolidarity.org/

    Maine Home for All Campaign: Last year ILAP launched the Maine Home for All campaign to spread a clear message that everyone deserves to feel safe, be with family, and build the life they want here in Maine. Unbranded graphics for this campaign are available here to be used in the days ahead. Solidarity signs from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center are available here.

    Print and Distribute KYR Information:
    -Know Your Rights materials can be posted in public places and left at businesses and other locations with permission. Take care not to draw particular attention to places where noncitizens might be.
    -Maine ICE Watch Hotline multilingual small flyerslarge postersmall poster
    ***Know Your Rights summaries:
    *****If ICE Stops You In Public
    *****If ICE Comes to Your Home
    *****Red Cards here (Note: community organizers should print cards themselves or use a local print shop)
    *****Know Your Rights Filming ICE here

    ACLU of Maine
    Know Your Rights:
    Customs and Border Patrol and the 100-Mile Border Zone

    The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects people from random and arbitrary stops and searches. But U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which includes U.S. Border Patrol, operates broadly in border areas.

    The agency claims authority to conduct operations as far as 100 miles from the U.S. border, which includes international land borders and the U.S. coastline. All of Maine is within this 100-mile zone, and CBP claims the power to conduct patrols and operations across the entire state. However, you still have rights, and there are important legal limitations on what CBP can do.

    Read more here in the ACLU of Maine site.


    FROM MoveOn:

    We have two major tools to rein in Trump and ICE. First, funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which houses ICE, runs out on January 30. Republicans in Congress need Democratic votes to fund ICE—since appropriations bills must clear 60 votes in the Senate.

    Democrats have real leverage. They must use it. We cannot allow them to squander it—again. Not now.

    Second, we must keep taking to the streets—loudly, urgently, and peacefully—to demand that ICE get out of our communities, and we need leaders in every corner of American society to join and quickly grow our movement.

    Governor Mills’ Statement on Potential Federal Law Enforcement Operations in Maine

    On January 14th, Governor Mills issued a statement concerning ICE activity here in Maine. Click here to see her statement on Vimeo.


    Upcoming Events:

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Jordan Wood in Orono
    Town Hall at the
    Orono Public Library
    Thursday, 1/29/26

    About this event

    Orono! Democratic House Candidate Jordan Wood is coming to meet you. We’ll be at the Orono Public Library. Come out to meet Jordan, learn why he’s the strongest candidate to defeat Paul LePage, and hear about what his plans as your next Congressman: sweeping campaign finance reform, passing the Ultra-Millionaire Wealth Tax, enacting universal childcare and addressing the affordability crisis head on.

    Bring your friends and family!

    Register here on the Mobilize site.

    DateThursday, January 29, 2026

    Event begins: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm; 
    Doors Open: 5:15 pm

    LocationOrono Public Library 
    39 Pine St Orono, ME 04473

    Here We Go Map


    Food AND Medicine
    Annual Meeting 
    Saturday, 1/31/26 
    9:00 am – 1:00 pm
    with lunch at noon
    (lots of fun!)

    FAM’s 2026 Annual Meeting, in person is best, but you can also Zoom if needed; the Zoom link will be shared prior to the meeting to those who register for the Zoom. RSVP is required to attend. FAM members will have an opportunity to elect new board members and vote on proposed bylaws changes. 

    FAM membership is NOT required to attend, so if you aren’t a member but want to get to know us better, come to the meeting. We love to meet new people!

    The program will start promptly at 9am, and we’ll have lunch together at Noon. 

    Location: The Food AND Medicine Solidarity Center in Brewer
    20 Ivers Street
    Brewer, ME 04412

    Here We Go Map Here.

    RSVP Here!


    Other News:

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    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.


    CBS News and the 
    60 Minutes CECOT Story

    In case you missed it, we want to share with you the CBS 60 Minutes story that was to have aired on December 21st, 2025. The Trump-friendly CBS News editor-in-chief axed this story that was about the administration sending Venezuelans to the maximum security prison in El Salvador. It was not broadcast in our country, but was available in Canada and was available on the Internet Archives site here, but has since been removed from that specific location. It is still available here, also on the Internet Archives.

    Please see issue no. 5 in the BCCA action (12/29) for more details on the state of CBS News and their collaboration with the Trump administration.  This Wikipedia article also has good information, including background discussing the Paramount-Skydance merger.


    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 visibilty actions or be a peacekeeper? 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. Please click the link below 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, which will resume after the holidays!


    Donate to a Food Bank or Pantry

    The shutdown is over, but the need is not. There are still cuts to programs that help people with food and other needs.

    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.

    Also, 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!


    The Maine ICE Watch Hotline

    The purpose of the hotline is to protect immigrant families by providing accurate, real-time information about ICE and Border Patrol activity and connect Maine families to resources and support services during a time of heightened enforcement and targeting of immigrants and refugees.

    Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition ICE Watch Resource Hub.

    Read more about it here in this Newscenter Maine article.

    (207) 544-9989

    Other Ways to Take Action­ (Courtesy of Indivisible Cumberland County:

    Maine’s ICE Watch Hotline Training: Get trained to field, verify, and document potential community ICE sightings and provide trusted, reliable information on ICE activity to immigrant communities.

    Action Alert on LD 1917Contact Governor Mills and tell her to sign into law this bill to protect Maine’s immigrant communities, workforce, public safety, and future! 

    Donate to the Maine Solidarity Fund: Fund pools resources from across communities into a shared fund we can draw from immediately when urgent needs arise. 

    NO I.C.E. for Maine: Learn more about this effort to reign in ICE.


    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. This is a good option if you have lengthy comments or questions.


    We are on Blue Sky, Instagram, and Facebook!

    Follow us! Invite your friends! Comment! You’ll be glad you did!


    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 Indivisible Bangor. 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 “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! – George and Indivisible Bangor


    Emanuel’s Daily Call to Action:

    Action Monday January 26th: Contact King + Collins to Vote No on Funding DHS (ICE) in Continuing Resolution + Support Maine’s LD 2106

    Good Morning Folks, it’s Monday, and extra funding for ICE goes to the Senate for a vote.  King has voiced his opposition, Collins not. If you think your participation doesn’t make a difference remember the 3.5% rule. (See below for links to more info. on this research.) Ps. As our list of action grows, Gmail may shorten the email. You can ask it to include the whole email, but check to make sure you are getting the full email.

    Top Action to Take Today: 

    Call Senators Collins and King and ask that they vote against more funding for ICE in the Continuing Resolution Bill to be voted on in the Senate this week. DHS (Department of Homeland Security) already got billions of dollars in the “Big” bill passed this summer. ICE and Border Patrol have murdered two American Citizens, while 32 others have died in the American Gulag “detention centers”. They don’t need more funding.  Funding for DHS can get stripped out of the Continuing Resolution Bill and acted on separately so voting no doesn’t mean another government shutdown. 5calls.org has a demand to defund ICE entirely.

    For “More Actions Today if You Have the Bandwidth” and “For the Heart” from Emanuel’s Daily Call to Action (1/26), click here.

    For the full text of Friday’s (1/23) Daily, click here.

    With great appreciation for all the engagement everywhere!  

    As always, throw a little sand in their gears! 

    ~~Emanuel


    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 nameHere
    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!

  • Emanuel’s Daily Action Email, Monday, 1/26/26

    Emanuel’s Daily Action Email, Monday, 1/26/26

    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 ActionsFrom the Maine People’s Alliance: Next week (on 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!

    ICE is here primarily in Lewiston and Portland. They won’t talk about their “mission” and the Bangor Daily News reports increased arrests in both towns.  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:207 544 998. 

    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.  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.

    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.

    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 ProjectMainers for Humane ImmigrationImmigrant 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 hereFor 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 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.

    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.

    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!)

    State Wide Actions

    • From the Maine People’s Alliance: Next week (on 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:

    Here , By district: Here

    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

    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. 207-544-9989Tuesday, January 27th: 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, January 28th: (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 
    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.) 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. 


    “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”   Nelson Mandela


    With great appreciation for all the engagement everywhere!  As always, throw a little sand in their gears! 
    ~~Emanuel


    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 nameHere
    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!

  • Emanuel’s Daily Action Email, Friday, 1/23/26 – Full Text

    Emanuel’s Daily Action Email, Friday, 1/23/26 – Full Text

    Action Friday January 23d: Contact King + Collins to Support Extension of ACA Tax Credits + Find Ways to Support Immigrants in Your Community

    Good Morning Folks, it’s Friday, finally. ICE presence is picking up in Maine. Pingree voted against funding ICE, Golden voted for in the vote yesterday on a “compromise” budget resolution. Resist authoritarianism and build community by taking action. If you think your participation doesn’t make a difference remember the 3.5% rule. (See below for links to more info. on this research.) Ps. As our list of action grows, Gmail may shorten the email. You can ask it to include the whole email, but check to make sure you are getting the full email.

    Top Action to Take Today: 

    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.

    More Actions Today if You Have the Bandwidth

    Call Collins, King, Pingree and/or Golden and ask them to speak out against Trump’s intention to invade Greenland. Go here for a simple script for this call and to learn more about the issue. To learn more about this issue check out Gil Duran’s substack in which he outlines the Tech Billionaires who support Trump on this issue,  and what the obsession with Greenland is.

    ICE related ActionsFrom the Maine People’s Alliance: Next week (on 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!

    ICE is here primarily in Lewiston and Portland. They won’t talk about their “mission” and the Bangor Daily News reports increased arrests in both towns.  The Maine Immigrant’s  Rights Coalition has set up a resource hub on responding to ICE. To familiarize yourself with all the ways they can be resisted, check out this comprehensive toolkit from South Carolina (thank you Lisa), which shows how they managed an ICE incursion there. 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:207 544 998. 

    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.

    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.

    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.
    Finally, Consider volunteering and/or donating to one of the worthy immigrant support organizations listed below: 

     Capital Area New Mainers ProjectMainers for Humane ImmigrationImmigrant 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 hereFor a full toolkit on how to support action on this go here.

    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 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.

    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.

    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!)

    State Wide Actions

    • From the Maine People’s Alliance: Next week (on 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:

    Here , By district: Here

    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

    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

    First Saturday of Each Month: Somerset Stands Up Rallies 2:30Margaret 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, January 25th : 1:00 (and every Sunday): Stop the Killing, (ICE, Venezuela, USAID closing, ACA extensions dropped, etc.)
    Tuesday, January 27th: 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, January 28th: (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

    ps. Please let me know if you don’t wish to get these Action Alerts, and please feel free to pass all or parts of these alerts on to others you know. Note my email is changed to emanuel.pariser@gmail.com


    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 nameHere
    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!

  • IB News EXTRA: Trump’s ICE Police Force Murder Second Protestor in Minneapolis-  Bangor and Calais Protests Tomorrow, 1/25/26

    IB News EXTRA: Trump’s ICE Police Force Murder Second Protestor in Minneapolis- Bangor and Calais Protests Tomorrow, 1/25/26

    TOMORROW
    Sunday, 1/25/2026
    BANGOR, MAINE
    PEIRCE PARK

    &
    FLATIRON PARK
    CALAIS, MAINE

    Tomorrow, January 25, 2026-
    Emergency Protest:

    1PM, PEIRCE PARK, BANGOR

    12PM, FLATIRON PARK, CALAIS

    Organized by the
    Party of Socialism and Liberation

    Alex Pretti this morning in Minneapolis moments before he was murdered by ICE agents.


    Minneapolis Live Updates: Videos Appear to Contradict Federal Account of Killing

    Alex Pretti, the man shot by federal agents, was a registered nurse and an American citizen with no criminal record, the city police chief said. A New York Times video analysis shows he was holding a phone, not a gun.

    Read more here as it’s updated in this New York Times gift article.

    Videos Show Moments in Which Agents Killed a Man in Minneapolis (Gift article)

    Videos Showing Aggressive ICE Tactics in Minnesota Fuel a Backlash (Gift article)


    Maine’s Representatives and Senators recent statements on ICE

    Pingree condemns fatal ICE-related shooting in Minneapolis. Gift article from the PPH (1/24/26).

    Jared Golden‘s statement on ICE in Minneapolis from 1/22/26: Golden statement on Day 3 of increased ICE operations in Maine. It is important to note that Rep. Golden was “1 of 7 House Democrats who voted for DHS spending bill.” Read that Portland Press Herald gift article here.

    Senator Collins’ Statement on ICE Operations in Maine (1/21/26)

    Sen. King calls for more answers from ICE officials in Maine (WGME 1/22/26)

    CALL YOUR THREE CONGRESSIONAL REPS IN WASHINGTON! CONTACT INFO AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS NEWSLETTER!


    ICE IN MAINE RESOURCES

    From Indivisible Cumberland County, we have the following:

    The ICE surge is now happening in Maine
    What do we know?

    We understand that the ICE operation in Maine will be an extension of what’s happening in Minnesota, where the administration has been targeting Somali immigrant communities and refugee communities in furtherance of a fraud narrative.

    We expect an enforcement operation will heavily focus on Lewiston in particular, as well as Portland, but that does not mean it will be contained to those areas. We understand some immigration agents have already arrived in Maine, and we are expecting many more in the coming days. 

    The potential focus on Somali immigrants does not mean other immigrant communities in Maine won’t be targeted. And the potential focus on refugees does not mean people with other immigration statuses won’t be targeted. Partners in Minnesota report that while there is a focus on refugees and Somali immigrants, people are being profiled and indiscriminately targeted while out in public.

    What information should I share on social media?
    Please do not share information that will cause needless fear for immigrant communities at this already-stressful time. As always, only share verified, accurate information. ILAP, the ACLU of Maine, and the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic at the University of Maine School of Law have put together this resource if you are looking for accurate Know Your Rights and other materials to share with your networks: 

    What rights do immigrants have?All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. These include:

    The right not to open the door to your home to ICE, unless the agent has a signed judicial warrant.

    The right to ask an ICE officer, “Am I free to leave?”

    The right not to answer an immigration officer’s questions and to tell an immigration officer, “I choose not to say anything.”Importantly, even if someone exercises their rights, ICE may ignore them and still detain them. If ICE tries to detain someone, they should do their best to stay calm and not run away or resist arrest. Learn more

    What do I do if I see immigration enforcement officers?
    Make sure you know your rights regarding filming an ICE arrest or encounter:

    Filming Immigration Enforcement in the U.S.

    -Report what you’ve seen to Maine’s ICE Watch Hotline at 207-544-9989.

    Complete this form if you believe an immigration officer has violated someone’s rights.

    How do I make sure my business, school, or place of worship is prepared for ICE enforcement? Learn more here.

    What do I do if someone in my community is detained?

    -What if my loved one is detained? Know Your Rights: What to Do if You or a Loved One is Detained.

    -How can I find my detained loved one? Track detained person’s location.What if my loved one is detained at Cumberland County Jail (ME), Two Bridges Regional Jail (ME), or Strafford County Correctional Facility (NH)? Complete this form.

    -What if my loved one is detained at Plymouth County Correctional Facility (MA) or Wyatt Detention Facility (RI)? Complete this form.

    -How can I or someone I know who is detained obtain financial help (bail, bond, commissary, etc.)? Visit the Maine Immigrant Resource Hub.

    Based on what we know now, how can communities respond?

    Support Lewiston: On-the ground support will be needed in Lewiston. Make sure to obtain permits if needed for protests and take all steps to comply with local laws and remain peaceful. Use visuals and photos and amplify on social media and to the press. However, please be cautious about sharing photos of people’s faces without consent and take other steps necessary to protect each other.

    Document ICE Activity: Minneapolis organizations report that in addition to enforcement against refugees and Somali immigrants, other people on the street are being profiled and indiscriminately targeted. Strategize on ways to help keep people safe. 
    ***Make sure you know your rights regarding filming an ICE arrest or encounter: Filming Immigration Enforcement in the U.S.

    ***Report what you’ve seen to Maine’s ICE Watch Hotline at 207-544-9989.

    ***Complete this form if you believe an immigration officer has violated someone’s rights.

    ***Share footage with the press as is strategic and consider the consent and safety of people you’re filming.

    Encourage Maine Businesses Not to Serve or Otherwise Welcome Immigration Agents: Talk to businesses in Lewiston, Portland, and beyond and encourage them not to serve ICE agents and to post signs of solidarity with immigrant communities in business windows. Take care not to draw particular attention to places where noncitizens might be.

    Organize Donations to the Maine Solidarity Fund: https://www.mainesolidarity.org/

    Maine Home for All Campaign: Last year ILAP launched the Maine Home for All campaign to spread a clear message that everyone deserves to feel safe, be with family, and build the life they want here in Maine. Unbranded graphics for this campaign are available here to be used in the days ahead. Solidarity signs from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center are available here.

    Print and Distribute KYR Information:
    -Know Your Rights materials can be posted in public places and left at businesses and other locations with permission. Take care not to draw particular attention to places where noncitizens might be.
    -Maine ICE Watch Hotline multilingual small flyerslarge postersmall poster
    ***Know Your Rights summaries:
    *****If ICE Stops You In Public
    *****If ICE Comes to Your Home
    *****Red Cards here (Note: community organizers should print cards themselves or use a local print shop)
    *****Know Your Rights Filming ICE here

    ACLU of Maine
    Know Your Rights:
    Customs and Border Patrol and the 100-Mile Border Zone

    The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects people from random and arbitrary stops and searches. But U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which includes U.S. Border Patrol, operates broadly in border areas.

    The agency claims authority to conduct operations as far as 100 miles from the U.S. border, which includes international land borders and the U.S. coastline. All of Maine is within this 100-mile zone, and CBP claims the power to conduct patrols and operations across the entire state. However, you still have rights, and there are important legal limitations on what CBP can do.

    Read more here in the ACLU of Maine site.

    FROM MoveOn:

    We have two major tools to rein in Trump and ICE. First, funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which houses ICE, runs out on January 30. Republicans in Congress need Democratic votes to fund ICE—since appropriations bills must clear 60 votes in the Senate.

    Democrats have real leverage. They must use it. We cannot allow them to squander it—again. Not now.

    Second, we must keep taking to the streets—loudly, urgently, and peacefully—to demand that ICE get out of our communities, and we need leaders in every corner of American society to join and quickly grow our movement.

    Governor Mills’ Statement on Potential Federal Law Enforcement Operations in Maine

    On January 14th, Governor Mills issued a statement concerning ICE activity here in Maine. Click here to see her statement on Vimeo.


    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.


    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 nameHere
    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!

  • IB News: Thursday, 1/22: ICE IN MAINE; ICE Response Resources; New Thursday Vigil Today; House Vote on “Compromise” Funding Bill May Be Today

    IB News: Thursday, 1/22: ICE IN MAINE; ICE Response Resources; New Thursday Vigil Today; House Vote on “Compromise” Funding Bill May Be Today

    Good morning. ICE is now in Maine in several cities. The newsletter will be sporadic for the next few weeks, so be sure to check out our Blue Sky and Instagram accounts for current info.

    Meanwhile, I will post links to resources on our rights that pertain to these brutal and illegal actions.

    Following this newsletter is today’s Emanuel’s Daily Action Email from Augusta – the daily action along with a link to his great list of important actions and information. Today’s Top Action discusses the House “compromise” funding bill and requests we call our House reps to have them vote “no.”

    Three new actions from Hancock County Democrats: Action 197 – Walkout on January 20th (TODAY!) (1/15), Action 198 – Defund ICE (1/16), and Action 199 – Maine legislation 1/19-1/23 (1/18). More Hancock County Democrats actions are found here.

    Also, a new action from the Bold Coast Civic Alliance, (1/22) and (1/16), on how to stop ICE and keep ICE out of Maine. More BCCA actions here.

    A lot of research goes into these additional actions, so be sure to read them!

    And THANK YOU to supporters who have been donating to our ActBlue fund! Planning events and maintaining the website and email list take money, so these donations are appreciated!


    Current News:

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Weekly vigils are happening here in the Bangor area!

    *****

    Tuesdays
    Weekly Vigil at the Federal Building in Bangor 11:00 am

    (This Tuesday Protest celebrated one year and was mentioned in Robert Hubble’s Substack on 1/7/2026!)

    *****
    Wednesdays
    Weekly Orono Vigil in the town center,

    12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.  
    *****
    TODAY!
    NEW WEEKLY THURSDAY VIGIL
    At the Federal Building in Bangor
    3:00 p.m.

    Based on the success of the recent protest, this is now a regular vigil every Thursday to keep Trump’s lawlessness and outrages before the public.
    *****


    Fridays
    Bangor Visibility Brigade

    The week finishes with two highway overpass actions! There is the Visibility Brigade on the Essex Street I-95 overpass at the new time of 3:00 p.m. Learn more here. Tell them you read about it here!


    ICE IN MAINE RESOURCES

    From Indivisible Cumberland County, we have the following:

    The ICE surge is now happening in Maine
    What do we know?

    We understand that the ICE operation in Maine will be an extension of what’s happening in Minnesota, where the administration has been targeting Somali immigrant communities and refugee communities in furtherance of a fraud narrative.

    We expect an enforcement operation will heavily focus on Lewiston in particular, as well as Portland, but that does not mean it will be contained to those areas. We understand some immigration agents have already arrived in Maine, and we are expecting many more in the coming days. 

    The potential focus on Somali immigrants does not mean other immigrant communities in Maine won’t be targeted. And the potential focus on refugees does not mean people with other immigration statuses won’t be targeted. Partners in Minnesota report that while there is a focus on refugees and Somali immigrants, people are being profiled and indiscriminately targeted while out in public.

    What information should I share on social media?
    Please do not share information that will cause needless fear for immigrant communities at this already-stressful time. As always, only share verified, accurate information. ILAP, the ACLU of Maine, and the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic at the University of Maine School of Law have put together this resource if you are looking for accurate Know Your Rights and other materials to share with your networks: 

    What rights do immigrants have?All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. These include:

    The right not to open the door to your home to ICE, unless the agent has a signed judicial warrant.

    The right to ask an ICE officer, “Am I free to leave?”

    The right not to answer an immigration officer’s questions and to tell an immigration officer, “I choose not to say anything.”Importantly, even if someone exercises their rights, ICE may ignore them and still detain them. If ICE tries to detain someone, they should do their best to stay calm and not run away or resist arrest. Learn more

    What do I do if I see immigration enforcement officers?
    Make sure you know your rights regarding filming an ICE arrest or encounter:

    Filming Immigration Enforcement in the U.S.

    -Report what you’ve seen to Maine’s ICE Watch Hotline at 207-544-9989.

    Complete this form if you believe an immigration officer has violated someone’s rights.

    How do I make sure my business, school, or place of worship is prepared for ICE enforcement? Learn more here.

    What do I do if someone in my community is detained?

    -What if my loved one is detained? Know Your Rights: What to Do if You or a Loved One is Detained.

    -How can I find my detained loved one? Track detained person’s location.What if my loved one is detained at Cumberland County Jail (ME), Two Bridges Regional Jail (ME), or Strafford County Correctional Facility (NH)? Complete this form.

    -What if my loved one is detained at Plymouth County Correctional Facility (MA) or Wyatt Detention Facility (RI)? Complete this form.

    -How can I or someone I know who is detained obtain financial help (bail, bond, commissary, etc.)? Visit the Maine Immigrant Resource Hub.

    Based on what we know now, how can communities respond?

    Support Lewiston: On-the ground support will be needed in Lewiston. Make sure to obtain permits if needed for protests and take all steps to comply with local laws and remain peaceful. Use visuals and photos and amplify on social media and to the press. However, please be cautious about sharing photos of people’s faces without consent and take other steps necessary to protect each other.

    Document ICE Activity: Minneapolis organizations report that in addition to enforcement against refugees and Somali immigrants, other people on the street are being profiled and indiscriminately targeted. Strategize on ways to help keep people safe. 
    ***Make sure you know your rights regarding filming an ICE arrest or encounter: Filming Immigration Enforcement in the U.S.

    ***Report what you’ve seen to Maine’s ICE Watch Hotline at 207-544-9989.

    ***Complete this form if you believe an immigration officer has violated someone’s rights.

    ***Share footage with the press as is strategic and consider the consent and safety of people you’re filming.

    Encourage Maine Businesses Not to Serve or Otherwise Welcome Immigration Agents: Talk to businesses in Lewiston, Portland, and beyond and encourage them not to serve ICE agents and to post signs of solidarity with immigrant communities in business windows. Take care not to draw particular attention to places where noncitizens might be.

    Organize Donations to the Maine Solidarity Fund: https://www.mainesolidarity.org/

    Maine Home for All Campaign: Last year ILAP launched the Maine Home for All campaign to spread a clear message that everyone deserves to feel safe, be with family, and build the life they want here in Maine. Unbranded graphics for this campaign are available here to be used in the days ahead. Solidarity signs from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center are available here.

    Print and Distribute KYR Information:
    -Know Your Rights materials can be posted in public places and left at businesses and other locations with permission. Take care not to draw particular attention to places where noncitizens might be.
    -Maine ICE Watch Hotline multilingual small flyerslarge postersmall poster
    ***Know Your Rights summaries:
    *****If ICE Stops You In Public
    *****If ICE Comes to Your Home
    *****Red Cards here (Note: community organizers should print cards themselves or use a local print shop)
    *****Know Your Rights Filming ICE here

    ACLU of Maine
    Know Your Rights:
    Customs and Border Patrol and the 100-Mile Border Zone

    The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects people from random and arbitrary stops and searches. But U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which includes U.S. Border Patrol, operates broadly in border areas.

    The agency claims authority to conduct operations as far as 100 miles from the U.S. border, which includes international land borders and the U.S. coastline. All of Maine is within this 100-mile zone, and CBP claims the power to conduct patrols and operations across the entire state. However, you still have rights, and there are important legal limitations on what CBP can do.

    Read more here in the ACLU of Maine site.

    TOMORROW IN
    PORTLAND, MAINE
    Friday, 1/23:
    National Day of Solidarity 💪

    Friday, January 23 is an ICE Out For Good National Day of Solidarity led by Minnesota organizers and national allies from labor, grassroots organizing, mobilization campaigns, advocacy movements, and everyday Americans. In Minnesota, activists are coming together for a statewide economic pause and day of collective action. Don’t go into work or school (except for emergency services). Don’t shop or engage in consumer spending. This is an opportunity to flex Minnesota’s unified opposition to ICE and their economic power. If you live outside of Minnesota, take action on January 23 in solidarity with Minnesota and all communities being terrorized by ICE.

    Find an event near you here. In Maine, there are two events: this one in Portland on Friday, 1/23, and another one in Lewiston on Saturday, 1/24. It will be VERY COLD in Maine this weekend, so please dress accordingly! And don’t forget your hand warmers!

    SATURDAY, 1/24
    Lewiston, Maine

    FROM MoveOn:

    We have two major tools to rein in Trump and ICE. First, funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which houses ICE, runs out on January 30. Republicans in Congress need Democratic votes to fund ICE—since appropriations bills must clear 60 votes in the Senate.

    Democrats have real leverage. They must use it. We cannot allow them to squander it—again. Not now.

    Second, we must keep taking to the streets—loudly, urgently, and peacefully—to demand that ICE get out of our communities, and we need leaders in every corner of American society to join and quickly grow our movement.

    Governor Mills’ Statement on Potential Federal Law Enforcement Operations in Maine

    On January 14th, Governor Mills issued a statement concerning ICE activity here in Maine. Click here to see her statement on Vimeo.


    Upcoming Events:

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Come See the New Dunlap for Congress Office!

    TOMORROW
    Friday, 1/23/26

    “Join us for the opening of our campaign office! Come meet Matt Dunlap, connect with fellow volunteers and supporters, and help us kick off the campaign by signing petitions and getting involved. We’ll share campaign updates, talk about how you can help, and start building momentum together. Hope to see you there!”

    Register here on the Mobilize site.

    DateFriday, January 23, 2026

    Event begins: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm; 

    LocationMatt Dunlap For Congress Offices 
    275 Main Street, ME 04468

    Between Center Street and Middle Street
    Here We Go Map


    Jordan Wood in Orono
    Town Hall at the
    Orono Public Library
    Next Thursday, 1/29/26

    About this event

    Orono! Democratic House Candidate Jordan Wood is coming to meet you. We’ll be at the Orono Public Library. Come out to meet Jordan, learn why he’s the strongest candidate to defeat Paul LePage, and hear about what his plans as your next Congressman: sweeping campaign finance reform, passing the Ultra-Millionaire Wealth Tax, enacting universal childcare and addressing the affordability crisis head on.

    Bring your friends and family!

    Register here on the Mobilize site.

    DateThursday, January 29, 2026

    Event begins: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm; 
    Doors Open: 5:15 pm

    LocationOrono Public Library 
    39 Pine St Orono, ME 04473

    Here We Go Map


    Food AND Medicine
    Annual Meeting 
    Saturday, 1/31/26 
    9:00 am – 1:00 pm
    with lunch at noon
    (lots of fun!)

    FAM’s 2026 Annual Meeting, in person is best, but you can also Zoom if needed; the Zoom link will be shared prior to the meeting to those who register for the Zoom. RSVP is required to attend. FAM members will have an opportunity to elect new board members and vote on proposed bylaws changes. 

    FAM membership is NOT required to attend, so if you aren’t a member but want to get to know us better, come to the meeting. We love to meet new people!

    The program will start promptly at 9am, and we’ll have lunch together at Noon. 

    Location: The Food AND Medicine Solidarity Center in Brewer
    20 Ivers Street
    Brewer, ME 04412

    Here We Go Map Here.

    RSVP Here!


    Other News:

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    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.


    CBS News and the 
    60 Minutes CECOT Story

    In case you missed it, we want to share with you the CBS 60 Minutes story that was to have aired on December 21st, 2025. The Trump-friendly CBS News editor-in-chief axed this story that was about the administration sending Venezuelans to the maximum security prison in El Salvador. It was not broadcast in our country, but was available in Canada and was available on the Internet Archives site here, but has since been removed from that specific location. It is still available here, also on the Internet Archives.

    Please see issue no. 5 in the BCCA action (12/29) for more details on the state of CBS News and their collaboration with the Trump administration.  This Wikipedia article also has good information, including background discussing the Paramount-Skydance merger.


    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 visibilty actions or be a peacekeeper? 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. Please click the link below 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, which will resume after the holidays!


    Donate to a Food Bank or Pantry

    The shutdown is over, but the need is not. There are still cuts to programs that help people with food and other needs.

    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.

    Also, 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!


    The Maine ICE Watch Hotline

    The purpose of the hotline is to protect immigrant families by providing accurate, real-time information about ICE and Border Patrol activity and connect Maine families to resources and support services during a time of heightened enforcement and targeting of immigrants and refugees.

    Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition ICE Watch Resource Hub.

    Read more about it here in this Newscenter Maine article.

    (207) 544-9989

    Other Ways to Take Action­ (Courtesy of Indivisible Cumberland County:

    Maine’s ICE Watch Hotline Training: Get trained to field, verify, and document potential community ICE sightings and provide trusted, reliable information on ICE activity to immigrant communities.

    Action Alert on LD 1917Contact Governor Mills and tell her to sign into law this bill to protect Maine’s immigrant communities, workforce, public safety, and future! 

    Donate to the Maine Solidarity Fund: Fund pools resources from across communities into a shared fund we can draw from immediately when urgent needs arise. 

    NO I.C.E. for Maine: Learn more about this effort to reign in ICE.


    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. This is a good option if you have lengthy comments or questions.


    We are on Blue Sky, Instagram, and Facebook!

    Follow us! Invite your friends! Comment! You’ll be glad you did!


    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 Indivisible Bangor. 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 “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! – George and Indivisible Bangor


    Emanuel’s Daily Call to Action:

    Action Thursday, January 22nd: For the Heart + Call or Write Pingree or Golden to Vote NO on Funding Bill for ICE in the House

    Good Morning Folks, whatever you may be feeling at the moment, fight, flight or freeze, use the energy of that emotion to go inward first and find balance, and then take one wise action for the day.  This is a marathon not a sprint. If you think your participation doesn’t make a difference remember the 3.5% rule. (See below for links to more info. on this research.) Ps. As our list of action grows, Gmail may shorten the email. You can ask it to include the whole email, but check to make sure you are getting the full email.

    Top Action to Take Today: 

    • Call Pingree and Golden today to vote NO on The House  “compromise” funding bill  which includes more funding for ICE.  The NPNA  (National Partnership for New Americans) describe this bill “this package fails to establish sufficient safeguards to prevent ongoing violations by ICE and CBP. Although it includes more oversight measures than Republicans would otherwise have accepted, it remains a compromise that falls far short of meaningful accountability and fails to meet the demands of our people.”  For an email or call script go here.  The vote on this funding package is likely TODAY!

    For “More Actions Today if You Have the Bandwidth” and “For the Heart” from Emanuel’s Daily Call to Action (1/22), click here.

    For the full text of yesterday’s (1/21) Daily, click here.

    With great appreciation for all the engagement everywhere!  

    As always, throw a little sand in their gears! 

    ~~Emanuel


    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 nameHere
    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!

  • Emanuel’s Daily Action Email, Thursday, 1/22/26

    Emanuel’s Daily Action Email, Thursday, 1/22/26

    For the Heart   

    For Your Heart this fifth week of Winter: When anger arises, become intimate with it. Anger is a gift, it gives us valuable information. Hold it, cherish it. Use it wisely, skillfully. Don’t waste it. Using mindfulness, what is Wise Action? 

    ~~Nancy Hathaway  Center for Studying Mindfulness

    From Marian Wright Edelman – Prayers for Our Nation’s Young People

    O God, forgive and transform our rich nation where small babies die of cold quite legally.

    O God, forgive and transform our rich nation where small children suffer from hunger quite legally.

    O God, forgive and transform our rich nation where toddlers and schoolchildren die from guns sold quite legally.

    O God, forgive and transform our rich nation that lets children be the poorest group of citizens quite legally.

    O God, forgive and transform our rich nation that lets the rich continue to get more at the expense of the poor quite legally.

    O God, forgive and transform our rich and powerful nation which thinks security rests in missiles and bombs rather than in mothers and in babies.

    O God, forgive and transform our rich nation for not giving You sufficient thanks by giving to others their daily bread.

    O God, help us never to confuse what is quite legal with what is just and right in Your sight.

    Help us to stand together to make America just and right for all Your children.

    More Actions Today if You Have the Bandwidth

    Call Collins, King, Pingree and/or Golden and ask them to speak out against Trump’s intention to invade Greenland. Go here for a simple script for this call and to learn more about the issue. To learn more about this issue check out Gil Duran’s substack in which he outlines the Tech Billionaires who support Trump on this issue, and what the obsession with Greenland is.

    ICE related ActionsFrom the Maine People’s Alliance: Next week (on 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!

    ICE is here primarily in Lewiston and Portland. They won’t talk about their “mission” and the Bangor Daily News reports increased arrests in both towns. To familiarize yourself with all the ways they can be resisted, check out this comprehensive toolkit from South Carolina (thank you Lisa), which shows how they managed an ICE incursion there. 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:207 544 998. 

    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.

    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.

    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.
    Finally, Consider volunteering and/or donating to one of the worthy immigrant support organizations listed below: 

     Capital Area New Mainers ProjectMainers for Humane ImmigrationImmigrant 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

    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!


    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 hereFor a full toolkit on how to support action on this go here.

    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 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.

    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.

    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!)

    State Wide Actions

    • From the Maine People’s Alliance: Next week (on 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.

    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

    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

    First Saturday of Each Month: Somerset Stands Up Rallies 2:30Margaret 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, January 25th : 1:00 (and every Sunday): Stop the Killing, (ICE, Venezuela, USAID closing, ACA extensions dropped, etc.)
    Tuesday, January 27th: 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, January 28th: (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’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 nameHere
    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!