A message from the Hancock Country Democrats (2/24):
All things considered, this will be a quiet week in the legislature – at least as far as hearings are concerned. Lots of work sessions, however. Remember, you can still influence legislation you care about, by contacting your legislator(s) – House and Senate – even if public hearings are over. In those cases, it’s useful to read, for background, the comments made at the public hearings. The comments are all linked to the page about the bill’s status. Follow the first bullet below to access this week’s calendar, then scroll for the title or number of any bill you are following, click on the live link to the bill’s number, then read the public hearing testimony, usually in the lower left quadrant of the page you land on.
Check complete bill listing here: https://legislature.maine.gov/Calendar/#PHWS. Set the date range in the upper left corner. This listing also shows work sessions if you want to weigh in on any of those.
Find the text of any bill here: https://legislature.maine.gov Or click through on the calendar, on the bill number, which is a link. Then read the pdf or the word version (link in upper left area). Form your own opinions!
This week’s hearings include, on Tuesday, two bills concerning school employees’ credentials and background checks, designed to protect students (LD 2175 and LD 2192): and two bills to improve dental services (LD 2206 and LD 2209).
On Wednesday, there is another “concept draft” that finally got flesh applied to the bones. LD 474, originally with the anodyne title “An Act to Improve Maine’s Environment and Protect Natural Resources” is now titled “An Act to Establish a Stewardship Program for Primary and Rechargeable Batteries” and requires producers of such batteries to establish a “battery stewardship” program. The bill is long and detailed.
Also on Wednesday: LD 335, “A Bill to Safeguard Reproductive Rights” was also originally a concept draft, but it was reworked to be “An Act to Protect Funding for Family Planning Services” and would require replacement of funding that the Trump Administration took away from Title X grantees. As you might expect, the legislative history on this one is convoluted, with two work sessions (last May, this January) attempts to table it indefinitely (failed 13 to 18 in the Senate by a roll call vote), and finally a public hearing this coming Wednesday at 1 PM that should prove important. Maine Women’s Lobby has information about testifying.
LD 2174, up for hearing at the same time as LD335, would streamline permitting for renewable energy projects. Good idea. And yet another “concept draft”, LD 276 “An Act regarding Inland Fisheries and Wildlife” turns out to be “An Act to Modernize ATV Classification, Registration, Trail Access and Landowner Protections”. Who knew?
An important Democratically sponsored bill, LD 2208, “An Act to Offset Federal Cuts to Health Insurance for Certain Maine Families and Seniors” has a hearing on Thursday. It would establish three funds, 1) to stabilize rural hospitals, 2) to stabilize health care premiums, and 3) to provide funds for the Maine Care program if the Trump Administration fails to do so adequately. There is a hefty price tag associated with this effort for FY 2026-2027, but really, are we – or aren’t we – EVER going to change the direction of the country’s economic resources away from the greed of billionaires and toward the well-being of citizens? The choice is ours to make, and supporting good legislation is one way to reinforce our choice.
I’m not providing a table this week. I think you know what to do.
See you at the Hancock County Democratic Caucus on Saturday!
Action: Follow the lead of the Maine League of Women Voters on this. The link above should get you to the Action Network page where you can easily send a letter. Or even better, send your own letters and make some phone calls. URGE SENATOR KING to FILIBUSTER any of these draconian bills that come up in the Senate. Finally, send a note of encouragement to our Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows, who is standing strong in the face of these desperate measures of the Trump Administration to cling to power. (1)
Good Morning Folks, it’s Tuesday and there is a lot going on in both the Maine and Federal legislatures. As will often be the case, we are surrounded by opportunities for action. If you can pick one each day that matches your sensibilities and time availability, that would be amazing! One final request – drive up the numbers for the Stephen Colbert/James Talarico interview on Youtube, which got pulled by request of the Republican led FCC!! (8.7million+ views so far, with 70,000 comments!) And, remember “State of the the Swamp” speech tonight!!!
Trump’s State of the Union speech tomorrow night, and watch the “State of the Swamp” rebuttal at 7 p.m. (He will hate it if his # of watchers are diminished); See list of speakers below in the attachment. and…
.From the Maine People’s Alliance: There are several bills that would raise the taxes on the super-rich and profitable corporations to help pay for the cuts in Federal spending for basic needs in Maine,
LD 1879, to raise taxes on individuals with incomes over $1 million, modernize our tax brackets so people who make $60,000 aren’t paying at the same tax rate as people who make $600,000, and make sure that our state collects taxes from massive corporate profits. Go
here to write a letter to our legislative leaders. (MPA has the text for the letter, and you can personalize it.)
More Actions Today if You Have the BandwidthContact Senator King to vote NO on the SAVE act HR 7296 (narrowly passed the house this week) – , and let Susan Collins know that we oppose her support for this act. The new SAVE Act adds new requirements that voters present a proof of citizenship both when registering to vote and when casting a ballot – 5calls.org has more on this. This act will go into effect IMMEDIATELY upon Trump signing it, and will affect the 2026 mid-terms. (I believe it only applies to Federal elections.) While you are at it, let them know to vote No on the MEGA Act, HR 7300 both of which are voter suppression efforts. . “Make Elections Great Again” (MEGA) would ban mail in ballots, limit absentee voting Go to 5calls.org for more information and a script for this call/contact. Contact your state representative and senator to support these bills to restore Wabanaki Sovereignty: These two bills were heard in front of the Judiciary Committee, and there has not been a report out of the Committee so far. Ask your reps to contact their friends on the Judiciary Committee to support these two bills.
LD 395, “An Act to Restore Access to Federal Laws Beneficial to the Wabanaki Nations”, would amend the law to allow the Wabanaki tribes (and the Mi’kmaq Nation) to benefit from existing and future federal laws that already apply to the 570-plus other federally recognized tribes. Get a copy of the bill here.
LD 785, “An Act to Enact the Remaining Recommendations of the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Implementing Act”, which would restore the Wabanaki Nations’ inherent right to self-govern under the same federal laws that apply to tribes elsewhere in the United States. Get a copy of the bill here.
Together, these two acts would put the Wabanaki Nations on equal footing with most, if not all, of the other Native American tribes in our country. Go here for a toolkit from the Wabanaki Alliance on taking action on these bills.
From the Maine League of Women Voters: here’s your annual reminder to check for Clean Elections on your tax return. It’s quick and easy and helps to finance the election campaigns of qualifying Clean Election candidates. Clean Elections allow candidates to focus on the voters, not wealthy donors. Learn more here. On the Maine Income Tax Form, Line 1, check a box to designate $3 to the Maine Clean Election Fund. If you’re using tax assistance software to file your taxes, like TurboTax, it may prompt you with the Clean Elections question automatically, making it even easier to check yes! Checking yes on the form does not impact your tax bill or refund in any way. If you already acted on the above yesterday go here to support Sexual Abuse Survivors:
Ask your Congressional Representatives to co-sponsor and support “Virginia’s Law”, a billthat would remove the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to sexual abuse and trafficking. This law, named after Virginia Guiffre an Epstein abuse survivor and outspoken advocate for justice, would empower survivors by giving them a legal means to seek justice with not expiration date. Given the horrendous treatment survivors have gotten through the unreacted release of their names in the current Epstein Files release, this is a small step Congress can take to redress the harm done. More details on this in the Guardian.
Child care is a huge issue for working parents in Maine. Contact your local Representative and Senator and ask them to support: LD 1955will provide $15 million in ongoing funding for the Child Care Affordability Program.
LD 2066 will make the Child Care Affordability Program Educator Employment Award permanent. This will ensure that current employees at licensed childcare programs receive tuition support and will help to both recruit and retain qualified staff.
LD 1414 will increase infant and toddler payment rates through the Child Care Affordability Program for eligible families.To use the MPA’s Action Network to write a letter to your Rep and Senator on these supports for childcare in Maine go here. Remember Quality Child Care for all is great for the economy!!!!
Epstein Files Related Actions
Contact Congressional Representatives to have ALL of the Epstein Files Released and
Support S. 2746, the Produce Epstein Treasury Records Act:
: Congressman Rho Khanna has demanded that Epstein’s associates named in these files be investigated by Congress, even though Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General + former personal Trump lawyer, has said that the case is over, and “it isn’t a crime to party with Mr. Epstein.” In this most recent release, the DOJ did not redact the name of many survivors and allowed nude pictures of them to be included. This is beyond disgusting. More on this at Democracy Now
For a script and more information go to 5calls.org. So far not a single perpetrator named in these files has been prosecuted.Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), the Ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee (that oversees US banking) has been demanding access to Epstein’s finances. To this end, he introduced S. 2746 (the Produce Epstein Treasury Records Act), which would require the Secretary of the Treasury to produce suspicious activity reports relating to Jeffrey Epstein and his associates. Republicans are currently blocking this bill. Call Senators King and Collins to urge them to cosponsor S. 2746 and to support the bill with members of the Senate Finance committee where the bill resides currently.
ICE related Actions Call or write Senator King and Collins and ask them to vote against funding ICE and CBP in the appropriations bill that is currently waiting for approval – 60 votes needed. More details on this at 5calls.org. There is a move afoot to tax corporations who wish to build ICE prison camps in Maine at a higher level than regular corporate tax to offset the demands on local resources. Along with simply disallowing these camps through local zoning action and public outcry, cutting into the profit margin of these businesses is another way to dissuade them from trying to settle in Maine. ICE has 45 billion dollars to build/rent/purchase prison camp facilities – see a full report on this
herefrom the Brennan Center. Contact our Congressional Representatives to: Claw back the 175 BILLION dollar slush fund that was approved in the “OBBA”(The Budget Bill Passed this Summer), for Immigration enforcement actions over the next four years. Collins + King both voted in favor of the Sanders Amendment which clawed back 75 Billion from ICE and CBP. Thank them for this, and then ask them to clawback this funding, and defund ICE and CBP until they meet standards of conduct for police professionals. For more information and a script go to 5calls.org for defunding ICE, and here for the 175 Billion Dollar Clawback. On Jan. 29, at 1 pm the Maine legislature’s Judiciary Committee held 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 ). MPA has an ACTION TOOLKIT on this bill here. You can still submit testimony on this bill here.Maine’s 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.
”The Maine Immigrant’s Rights Coalition has set up a resource hub on responding to ICE. If you see what you identify as an ICE vehicle in your town call the ICE Watch hotline in Maine:207 544 9989. You can also text them a photo of what you believe to be an ICE vehicle, or any ICE actions in your area.
There are now 140 co-sponsors of a bill to impeach Kristi Noem, Head of the Department of Homeland Security, ask Pingree and Golden to cosponsor!
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
LD 1870, the climate superfund bill was passed out of committee! Next it’s headed to the Senate for a vote. If you support this important legislation, please continue to contact your legislators about LD 1870 and urge them to Make Polluters Pay! To learn NRCM’s priority bills for this short session,check their YouTube channel Check out https://www.nrcm.org/events/ (thank you Linda for this info.)
ACA Related Actions
Call/write Senators King and Collins to support extending the ACA tax credits as the House did on January 8th. The House’s version is a “clean” extension with no amendments. The Maine People’s Alliance makes this really easy, go here. If you wish to write your own note or call, our Senator’s contact information is below in the Contact Information part of this email. For more information go to 5calls.org. For a full toolkit on how to support this action go here. This bill passed in the house!!Boycott: Being a consumer is one of the greatest powers we have as members of a capitalist economy. For a complete list of ICE related boycotts go to https://www.resistandunsubscribe.com/ a new website that lists and explains all the corporations that are directly enabling the Trump administration’s nasty policies and/or helping ICE and CBP: (Thanks Shelly for this link) Another resource on Boycotting – Scott Galloway’s podcast – Raging Moderates, discusses boycotting TechBro products at about 14:30 into the podcast, go here. (thank you Wendilee for this)
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.” 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.
Insurance Crisis: The ACA cuts are in the Senate to be voted on. Please contact Esther at the Maine People’s Alliance who is collecting personal testimony to support the passage of the ACA tax cuts.
ICE Related Mutual Aid: Both documented and undocumented immigrants are staying home in Maine, scared to leave the house to go shopping, bring their children to school, go to Dr’s appointments etc. You can help go here to find out how.
Arts and Politics!
If you live near Skowhegan check out Kevin James Studios at 127 Water Street for a whole gallery of resistance art! (Let me know if you know of other art galleries showing political art and I will list them here.)Attached below is a poster for anyone who wishes to display it in their home, office, on demonstrations, protests, vigils. Thanks to Catie for creating this beautiful piece of activist art
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!) Get connected to Govtrack.US for daily information on what’s going on in Congress in terms of bills and votes.
GOT MORE TIME? HERE ARE SOME MORE ACTIONS (just pick one!)
Join the Maine People’s Alliance in bringing your story to our Congresspeople: Are your insurance rates going up? Did you lose SNAP benefits – the MPA wants to hear your story and use it to fight for Mainers in the ongoing shutdown budget battle. Fill out this form and tell your story here.
LD 1383, An Act to Require State Divestment from Perpetrators of International Human Rights Violations has been tabled by the Committee on State and Local Government due to claims that it is anti-semitic, despite support from Jewish action groups. Call your state Senator and Representative to support this bill. Go here for more information on this bill. Write a letter here to the State and Local Government Committee to pass this bill.
Calendar March 28th for the next NO KINGS national mobilization
There is a special election in LewistonTODAY, February 24. Democrat Scott Harriman is running for the House. If you live in Lewiston, please get out and vote!!
Support LD 2106 to prevent ICE + CBP from entering private spaces in Schools, Hospitals, Libraries and Daycare Centers. There is an ACTION TOOLKIT on this bill here. You can still submit testimony on this bill here.
LD 1955will provide $15 million in ongoing funding for the Child Care Affordability Program.
LD 2066 will make the Child Care Affordability Program Educator Employment Award permanent. This will ensure that current employees at licensed childcare programs receive tuition support and will help to both recruit and retain qualified staff.
LD 1414will increase infant and toddler payment rates through the Child Care Affordability Program for eligible families.To use the MPA’s Action Network to write a letter to your Rep and Senator on these supports for childcare in Maine go here.
LD 1870, the climate superfund bill would impose penalties on major climate polluters, specifically fossil fuel companies, to help fund climate resilience efforts in the state.
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.
LOCAL ACTIONS: The local Democratic Caucus will be this Saturday, February 28th, 1-3 pm at the UU Church, 69 Silver Street, Waterville, Sign up Here. For other caucuses in Kennebec County and around the state, go here.Ready to get involved in March 28th No-Kings 3 Day? For the Waterville Area event, sign up
here. Go to the same link to sign up for demonstrations in other areas. If you are interested in being a march leader, contact Elizabeth at leonardelizabeth1957@gmail.com. (We are looking to have converging marches from different parts of town.)
Join Mid Maine Indivisible(Kennebec and Somerset Counties)Please join us if you are in the Mid Maine area. To sign up: go here. The Capital Area New Mainers Project is collecting furniture and kitchen supplies for families in our area. They are helping a family who lost everything in a house fire – you can contribute
Susan Collins promised in 1996 to be a two-term senator (watch here!). It’s now thirty years later and she is seeking a sixth term!? Stranger still, is the fact that she has not held a single town hall for over twenty five years! Compare that to the more than 50 town hall events held within the last six months by Democratic primary candidates. Despite multiple requests, Susan Collins still will not hold a town hall…. So we decided to hold one without her! Check out details for the event below and register to come and have YOUR voice be heard! We hope to see you there!
Do you want to become more involved? Would you like to help with the website and communications? Help organize events like rallies and visibility actions? Or do you just want to keep up with what we’re doing? Sign up to volunteer with Indivisible Bangor — your level of involvement is up to you!
Weekly member meetings are on Zoom, with in-person meetings on the first Wednesday of the month. As always, check out our Bluesky and Instagram for the latest info.
Maine coalition urges state legislature to pass reforms on housing crisis by 2026
At the Maine State House on Thursday, members of Build Homes Build Community addressed legislators directly with what housing-related bills they’d like to see passed.
The group’s 2026 legislative agenda includes support for bills that focus on three main areas of need identified by the coalition: Innovate, Streamline, Fund.
Despite Mainers voting overwhelmingly to reject the voter suppression measures list in Question 1 last November, Senator Collins has decided that she supports even stricter voter suppression measures.The bill recently passed in the House and will be up for vote in the Senate soon. From Bangor Daily News:
Trump has framed the bill as a national voter ID push, although it is slightly different than that. Democrats have argued it could still bar millions of people from voting, with the liberal Brennan Center for Justice saying 21 million Americans lack ready access to the documents that would be required to prove citizenship. Noncitizens are barred from voting in federal elections.
In celebration of Black History Month, we will be sharing local Black History and Black Community resources throughout the month.
The origins of Black History Month date back nearly a century to historian Carter G. Woodson, who sought to bring national attention to the role African Americans have played in shaping the United States. These efforts gained momentum on college campuses in the mid-20th century, and in 1976 the observance received formal federal recognition, underscoring the importance of honoring contributions that had long been underrepresented in historical narratives.
Maine’s history reflects the presence, resilience, and impact of African American communities. From early participation in maritime industries to landmarks such as the Abyssinian Meeting House, the state’s first Black church, these stories are woven into Maine’s past. Exploring this history provides valuable context for understanding both the state’s development and the diverse experiences that continue to shape it.
On February 23 (7pm ET/4pm PT), in celebration of Black History Month, Indivisible will launch this year’s Solidarity in Action: Building Power That Lasts discussion series with Systems and Power: Lessons From Those Who Came Before Us.Get more details in EVENTS.
ACTIONS
Attend an event!
Events are easy to attend and only require a small amount of time investment – some you can even attend from the comfort of your own couch! Take a look at the upcoming events below and register.
Register to learn how to be a community watch ICE verifier. Help protect your community and keep yourself safe. This training will be held in person on Tuesday at 6:00 pm. Click below to register and learn more about the event.
Oppose the SAVE Act, MEGA Act, and Save America Act
Take action on the SAVE Act, the MEGA Act, and the Save America Act. These anti-democratic bills could be fast-tracked through Congress, with the Save America Act passed in the U.S. House last week (SAVE Act passed in the House last year). These laws would require voters to prove their citizenship by showing a passport or birth certificate in order to register to vote — a requirement that would disenfranchise millions of voters. According to the Brennan Center, “21 million American citizens don’t have these documents readily available.”
This bill would especially burden military voters, tribal voters, rural voters, and survivors of natural disasters. Plus, are you someone who’s married and changed your name? Or just someone who’s changed your name? You, too, could be affected. This could also affect Mainers living near the border who might have been born at a Canadian hospital to U.S. parents.
The MEGA Act would prohibit the use of mail-in voting (like absentee voting) and Ranked Choice Voting. The bill promotes voter roll purges and criminalizes clerical errors by election workers. It’s a package of terrible ideas built upon false, debunked theories that our elections are not secure. Maine has the right to conduct our elections, which are already fair, transparent, and accessible. Let’s reject this federal intervention.
Next week, our legislators will be considering a number of bills that will make Maine’s childcare system stronger.
This includes LD 1955, which will provide $15 million in ongoing funding for the Child Care Affordability Program. This will provide immediate relief to children and families who are currently on waitlists, while also ensuring future families can access affordable childcare without delays as they work, pursue education, or engage in job training.
LD 2066 will make the Child Care Affordability Program Educator Employment Award permanent. This will ensure that current employees at licensed childcare programs receive tuition support and will help to both recruit and retain qualified staff. And lastly, LD 1414 will increase infant and toddler payment rates through the Child Care Affordability Program for eligible families—making it easier for providers to offer affordable care for the youngest kids.
Ask your Congressional Representatives to co-sponsor and support “Virginia’s Law”, a bill that would remove the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to sexual abuse and trafficking. This law, named after Virginia Guiffre an Epstein abuse survivor and outspoken advocate for justice, would empower survivors by giving them a legal means to seek justice with no expiration date. Given the horrendous treatment survivors have gotten through the unreacted release of their names in the current Epstein Files release, this is a small step Congress can take to redress the harm done.
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.
If you want an easy way to actually do something, check out 5calls.org. You enter your location, pick an issue you care about, and it gives you your representatives’ phone numbers and a script. That’s it. Calling your elected officials is one of the most effective forms of civic engagement there is!
If you are more comfortable with sending emails to our Maine congressional delegation in Washington, click the links/buttons. This is a good option if you have lengthy comments or questions.
Please DONATE to a local food pantry- food, personal items, and even cash. Faith Linking in Action maintains a database of all food pantries and free meals– organized by both location and day of the week– in the Bangor area. Check it out here.
ActivateMaine has created a site, SNAP Into Action: “a statewide effort to help those who are affected by the freezing of benefits due to the Government shut down.” If you know of any food drives that are happening, please visit this site to add it to the database!
EVENTS
Weekly Events
Vigils in the Bangor Area
Tuesdays 11:00 am @ the Federal Building
Wednesdays 12:00-1:00 pm @ the town center – Details
Bangor Visibility Brigade
Fridays 3:30 pm @ Essex Street Overpass
Virtual Events
Thursdays 7:30 pm – League of Women Voters Youth Advocacy Team – Details
Monthly Events
Monthly Indivisible Bangor Meeting
5:00 pm Every first Wednesday @ Zoom
Future Events
Systems and Power: Lessons From Those Who Came Before Us
7:00 pm February 23, 2026
Celebrate Black history and leadership by examining how past organizers built resilient movements. Explore systemic power structures and inequities, and translate historical lessons into contemporary movement-building and leadership practices.
We are thrilled to announce our special guest, Barbara R. Arnwine, esq, president & founder of the Transformative Justice Coalition. Barbara is internationally renowned for contributions on critical justice issues including the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1991 and the 2006 reauthorization of provisions of the Voting Rights Act.
The ACLU of Maine’s Legal Fights for Immigrants’ Rights
6:00 pm February 24, 2026
Join staff attorneys Anahita Sotoohi and Max Brooks to hear about how their legal work to protect immigrants’ rights in Maine. They’ll cover how we work in the courts to ensure the rights of individual immigrants, how accessing public records sheds light on law enforcement and federal immigration operations, and the resources available to immigrants and their communities.
This year, Maine lawmakers have another chance to advance Wabanaki sovereignty. But what does sovereignty truly mean for the Wabanaki Nations of what is now called Maine?
Join us for an educational event that highlights how young people are leading efforts to advocate for the Nations’ rights to self-governance and access to federal programs.
The event will cover the history of the Settlement Acts, Wabanaki sovereignty, and how young people are leading the movement. An interactive workshop will also encourage attendees to urge legislators to pass this year’s Wabanaki Sovereignty bills.
Join Maine Indivisible leaders, group members, grassroots activists, and community partners for our next statewide call. The Maine Rising team will lead a group discussion about state and local action priorities during the second half of the agenda.
Many of us have been disappointed that the Democratic party has not done more to fend off the current Republican assault on our democratic institutions and moral values. But we cannot succumb to cynicism or despair; giving up not an option.
We all need to show up, be vocal, and force the party do what it needs to do. What it was designed to do. When we raise our collective voices, the party leadership will be forced to listen to us. And as history shows, the Democratic Party can be a powerful force for democracy and the rule of law.
Our participation is what creates the power. Together we can make a difference. But to do so we must build solidarity. There are literally thousands of Registered Democrats in Hancock County that we haven’t heard from or met. Your voice may be like a single strand of spider silk, but a rope made of spider silk is stronger than steel (1). Please come to the caucus and use your energy to steer the ship in the right direction! Carpool with other Registered Dems and get there early for the best parking.
Singing Our Solidarity
3:00 pm March 7, 2026
The Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine along with co- sponsors Indivisible Bangor, Pax Christi Maine, Faith Linking in Action, and Food and Medicine is pleased to invite the community to join us as we sing together and support our neighbors and communities impacted by ICE raids and detention in Maine.
Music leadership by Women With Wings, by Judd Esty-Kendall, and by others. Songs will be easy to learn and joyful to share. The community is invited to raise our voice of concern, hope, and love together in shared music. The event is hosted by St John’s Episcopal Church.
No music/singing experience needed.
Donations will be collected to support the Maine Solidarity Fund. The fund is an initiative of the People’s Coalition for Safety and Justice, a collective of frontline organizations, cultural anchors, and direct service providers with deep ties to Maine’s immigrant, and Trans communities.
In 2025, millions of Americans came together in nonviolent protest to oppose the growing authoritarian actions of the Trump administration and affirm that this nation belongs to its people, not to kings. Since then, people have continued to rise up nonviolently against the Trump administration’s ongoing brutality and abuses of power, including the latest escalation in Minnesota. The No Kings Coalition is activating an immediate and ongoing nationwide digital organizing effort leading up to our next mass mobilization on March 28, including a flagship event in the Twin Cities.
Susan Collins hasn’t held a Town Hall in over 25 years. She is supposed to represent Mainers, yet refuses to face her constituents. That’s why Indivisible Bangor, alongside many other co-sponsors, is holding one for her. Enough is enough – it’s time YOUR voices are heard. We’ve invited Senator Collins to attend twice, but we’ve received no response.
All are welcome to attend to speak or listen. Those that wish to speak will have two minutes to do so.
Doors will open at 5:30pm and the Town Hall will take place from 6pm-8pm. Space is limited so all are encouraged to arrive early.
Maine’s Attorney General Aaron Frey has started an ICE tip-line Citizens are urged to report intimidating and excessive federal enforcement behavior to CitizenReporting.OAG@maine.gov.
“Emailers should be advised that any content sent may be subject to public dissemination under Maine’s Freedom of Access Laws.”
The ICE resources that have been listed in previous newsletters can be found here.
Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition has published a resource hub here.
If you see what you identify as an ICE vehicle in your town call the ICE Watch hotline in Maine: (207) 544-9989. You can also text them a photo of what you believe to be an ICE vehicle, or any ICE actions in your area.
Legislator Contact Info
The names of our senators and representatives listed below are links that go right to their official congressional contact form pages. The telephone numbers are links that should open your phone app to call that number. It’s that easy!
This next week is packed with chances to make an impact! Public hearings are open on Maine’s budget, Congress is moving fast on bills that would gut voting rights, and there are new events on immigrant rights, Wabanaki sovereignty, and Black history that are worth your time. We’ve also added some new sections to help you connect with other organizations in the area, because we’re stronger together. Read on to see where you can plug in.
Do you want to become more involved? Would you like to help with the website and communications? Help organize events like rallies and visibility actions? Or do you just want to keep up with what we’re doing? Sign up to volunteer with Indivisible Bangor — your level of involvement is up to you!
Weekly member meetings are on Zoom, with in-person meetings on the first Wednesday of the month. As always, check out our Bluesky and Instagram for the latest info.
Maine coalition urges state legislature to pass reforms on housing crisis by 2026
At the Maine State House on Thursday, members of Build Homes Build Community addressed legislators directly with what housing-related bills they’d like to see passed.
The group’s 2026 legislative agenda includes support for bills that focus on three main areas of need identified by the coalition: Innovate, Streamline, Fund.
Public Hearings begin on proposed supplemental budget
Maine’s budget has a two-year cycle, and this year’s is the “supplemental”, which dictates how the state will spend money from revenue that goes beyond what it planned for in the “biennial” budget (last year). This is also a point when the state can make cuts to programs it funded in the first year. The supplemental budget determines state funding for the next year, meaning which programs and bills get funded, and which ones get cut. The governor has released her proposed budget, and the legislature now gets to respond with their version.
Public hearings began in Augusta on Tuesday on Governor Janet Mills’ proposed supplemental budget. The governor is pushing for major investments in areas such as healthcare and addressing affordability.
LD 2071 would give pharmacists authority to administer any vaccine licensed by the FDA and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Despite Mainers voting overwhelmingly to reject the voter suppression measures list in Question 1 last November, Senator Collins has decided that she supports even stricter voter suppression measures.The bill recently passed in the House and will be up for vote in the Senate soon. From Bangor Daily News:
Trump has framed the bill as a national voter ID push, although it is slightly different than that. Democrats have argued it could still bar millions of people from voting, with the liberal Brennan Center for Justice saying 21 million Americans lack ready access to the documents that would be required to prove citizenship. Noncitizens are barred from voting in federal elections.
In celebration of Black History Month, we will be sharing local Black History and Black Community resources throughout the month.
The origins of Black History Month date back nearly a century to historian Carter G. Woodson, who sought to bring national attention to the role African Americans have played in shaping the United States. These efforts gained momentum on college campuses in the mid-20th century, and in 1976 the observance received formal federal recognition, underscoring the importance of honoring contributions that had long been underrepresented in historical narratives.
Maine’s history reflects the presence, resilience, and impact of African American communities. From early participation in maritime industries to landmarks such as the Abyssinian Meeting House, the state’s first Black church, these stories are woven into Maine’s past. Exploring this history provides valuable context for understanding both the state’s development and the diverse experiences that continue to shape it.
On February 23 (7pm ET/4pm PT), in celebration of Black History Month, Indivisible will launch this year’s Solidarity in Action: Building Power That Lasts discussion series with Systems and Power: Lessons From Those Who Came Before Us.Get more details in EVENTS.
ACTIONS
Attend an event!
Events are easy to attend and only require a small amount of time investment – some you can even attend from the comfort of your own couch! Take a look at the upcoming events below and register.
Oppose the SAVE Act, MEGA Act, and Save America Act
Take action on the SAVE Act, the MEGA Act, and the Save America Act. These anti-democratic bills could be fast-tracked through Congress, with the Save America Act passed in the U.S. House last week (SAVE Act passed in the House last year). These laws would require voters to prove their citizenship by showing a passport or birth certificate in order to register to vote — a requirement that would disenfranchise millions of voters. According to the Brennan Center, “21 million American citizens don’t have these documents readily available.”
This bill would especially burden military voters, tribal voters, rural voters, and survivors of natural disasters. Plus, are you someone who’s married and changed your name? Or just someone who’s changed your name? You, too, could be affected. This could also affect Mainers living near the border who might have been born at a Canadian hospital to U.S. parents.
The MEGA Act would prohibit the use of mail-in voting (like absentee voting) and Ranked Choice Voting. The bill promotes voter roll purges and criminalizes clerical errors by election workers. It’s a package of terrible ideas built upon false, debunked theories that our elections are not secure. Maine has the right to conduct our elections, which are already fair, transparent, and accessible. Let’s reject this federal intervention.
Next week, our legislators will be considering a number of bills that will make Maine’s childcare system stronger.
This includes LD 1955, which will provide $15 million in ongoing funding for the Child Care Affordability Program. This will provide immediate relief to children and families who are currently on waitlists, while also ensuring future families can access affordable childcare without delays as they work, pursue education, or engage in job training.
LD 2066 will make the Child Care Affordability Program Educator Employment Award permanent. This will ensure that current employees at licensed childcare programs receive tuition support and will help to both recruit and retain qualified staff. And lastly, LD 1414 will increase infant and toddler payment rates through the Child Care Affordability Program for eligible families—making it easier for providers to offer affordable care for the youngest kids.
Ask your Congressional Representatives to co-sponsor and support “Virginia’s Law”, a bill that would remove the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits related to sexual abuse and trafficking. This law, named after Virginia Guiffre an Epstein abuse survivor and outspoken advocate for justice, would empower survivors by giving them a legal means to seek justice with no expiration date. Given the horrendous treatment survivors have gotten through the unreacted release of their names in the current Epstein Files release, this is a small step Congress can take to redress the harm done.
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.
If you want an easy way to actually do something, check out 5calls.org. You enter your location, pick an issue you care about, and it gives you your representatives’ phone numbers and a script. That’s it. Calling your elected officials is one of the most effective forms of civic engagement there is!
If you are more comfortable with sending emails to our Maine congressional delegation in Washington, click the links/buttons. This is a good option if you have lengthy comments or questions.
Please DONATE to a local food pantry- food, personal items, and even cash. Faith Linking in Action maintains a database of all food pantries and free meals– organized by both location and day of the week– in the Bangor area. Check it out here.
ActivateMaine has created a site, SNAP Into Action: “a statewide effort to help those who are affected by the freezing of benefits due to the Government shut down.” If you know of any food drives that are happening, please visit this site to add it to the database!
EVENTS
Weekly Events
Vigils in the Bangor Area
Tuesdays 11:00 am @ the Federal Building
Wednesdays 12:00-1:00 pm @ the town center – Details
Bangor Visibility Brigade
Fridays 3:30 pm @ Essex Street Overpass
Virtual Events
Thursdays 7:30 pm – League of Women Voters Youth Advocacy Team – Details
Monthly Events
Monthly Indivisible Bangor Meeting
5:00 pm Every first Wednesday @ Zoom
Future Events
Orono Town Hall featuring Dr. Nirav Shah
3:00 pm February 22, 2026
This will be a great opportunity to hear directly from Dr. Shah, ask questions, and share what matters most to you and your community. We encourage attendees to come ready with tough questions! Nirav is excited to listen, learn, and engage with you on the issues that matter most.
We hope to see you there — let’s come together, talk about the future of Maine, and support our community!
Systems and Power: Lessons From Those Who Came Before Us
7:00 pm February 23, 2026
Celebrate Black history and leadership by examining how past organizers built resilient movements. Explore systemic power structures and inequities, and translate historical lessons into contemporary movement-building and leadership practices.
We are thrilled to announce our special guest, Barbara R. Arnwine, esq, president & founder of the Transformative Justice Coalition. Barbara is internationally renowned for contributions on critical justice issues including the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1991 and the 2006 reauthorization of provisions of the Voting Rights Act.
The ACLU of Maine’s Legal Fights for Immigrants’ Rights
6:00 pm February 24, 2026
Join staff attorneys Anahita Sotoohi and Max Brooks to hear about how their legal work to protect immigrants’ rights in Maine. They’ll cover how we work in the courts to ensure the rights of individual immigrants, how accessing public records sheds light on law enforcement and federal immigration operations, and the resources available to immigrants and their communities.
This year, Maine lawmakers have another chance to advance Wabanaki sovereignty. But what does sovereignty truly mean for the Wabanaki Nations of what is now called Maine?
Join us for an educational event that highlights how young people are leading efforts to advocate for the Nations’ rights to self-governance and access to federal programs.
The event will cover the history of the Settlement Acts, Wabanaki sovereignty, and how young people are leading the movement. An interactive workshop will also encourage attendees to urge legislators to pass this year’s Wabanaki Sovereignty bills.
Join Maine Indivisible leaders, group members, grassroots activists, and community partners for our next statewide call. The Maine Rising team will lead a group discussion about state and local action priorities during the second half of the agenda.
Many of us have been disappointed that the Democratic party has not done more to fend off the current Republican assault on our democratic institutions and moral values. But we cannot succumb to cynicism or despair; giving up not an option.
We all need to show up, be vocal, and force the party do what it needs to do. What it was designed to do. When we raise our collective voices, the party leadership will be forced to listen to us. And as history shows, the Democratic Party can be a powerful force for democracy and the rule of law.
Our participation is what creates the power. Together we can make a difference. But to do so we must build solidarity. There are literally thousands of Registered Democrats in Hancock County that we haven’t heard from or met. Your voice may be like a single strand of spider silk, but a rope made of spider silk is stronger than steel (1). Please come to the caucus and use your energy to steer the ship in the right direction! Carpool with other Registered Dems and get there early for the best parking.
NO KINGS PROTEST
1774713600
days
hours minutes seconds
until
In 2025, millions of Americans came together in nonviolent protest to oppose the growing authoritarian actions of the Trump administration and affirm that this nation belongs to its people, not to kings. Since then, people have continued to rise up nonviolently against the Trump administration’s ongoing brutality and abuses of power, including the latest escalation in Minnesota. The No Kings Coalition is activating an immediate and ongoing nationwide digital organizing effort leading up to our next mass mobilization on March 28, including a flagship event in the Twin Cities.
Maine’s Attorney General Aaron Frey has started an ICE tip-line Citizens are urged to report intimidating and excessive federal enforcement behavior to CitizenReporting.OAG@maine.gov.
“Emailers should be advised that any content sent may be subject to public dissemination under Maine’s Freedom of Access Laws.”
The ICE resources that have been listed in previous newsletters can be found here.
Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition has published a resource hub here.
If you see what you identify as an ICE vehicle in your town call the ICE Watch hotline in Maine: (207) 544-9989. You can also text them a photo of what you believe to be an ICE vehicle, or any ICE actions in your area.
Legislator Contact Info
The names of our senators and representatives listed below are links that go right to their official congressional contact form pages. The telephone numbers are links that should open your phone app to call that number. It’s that easy!
This week we have numerous opportunities for you to be heard at the state and national level! There are multiple bills and a proposed budget that are open to testimony in your support of vital programs here in Maine. Don’t miss the new events that have been added – learn more about how the ACLU is protecting immigrants’ rights and more. Check out the new sections to link up with other organizations in the area to strengthen our community and get involved!
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!As always, check out our Blue Sky and Instagram for current info.
Public Hearings begin on proposed supplemental budget
Maine’s budget has a two-year cycle, and this year’s is the “supplemental”, which dictates how the state will spend money from revenue that goes beyond what it planned for in the “biennial” budget (last year). This is also a point when the state can make cuts to programs it funded in the first year. The supplemental budget determines state funding for the next year, meaning which programs and bills get funded, and which ones get cut. The governor has released her proposed budget, and the legislature now gets to respond with their version.
Public hearings began in Augusta on Tuesday on Governor Janet Mills’ proposed supplemental budget. The governor is pushing for major investments in areas such as healthcare and addressing affordability.
Take action to make sure your voice is heard on these proposals! Details on how to testify are listed below in the ACTIONS section.
Vaccine bill moves out of committee
LD 2071 would give pharmacists authority to administer any vaccine licensed by the FDA and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Despite Mainers voting overwhelmingly to reject the voter suppression measures list in Question 1 last November, Senator Collins has decided that she supports even stricter voter suppression measures.The bill recently passed in the House and will be up for vote in the Senate soon. From Bangor Daily News:
Trump has framed the bill as a national voter ID push, although it is slightly different than that. Democrats have argued it could still bar millions of people from voting, with the liberal Brennan Center for Justice saying 21 million Americans lack ready access to the documents that would be required to prove citizenship. Noncitizens are barred from voting in federal elections.
In celebration of Black History Month, we will be sharing local Black History and Black Community resources throughout the month.
The origins of Black History Month date back nearly a century to historian Carter G. Woodson, who sought to bring national attention to the role African Americans have played in shaping the United States. These efforts gained momentum on college campuses in the mid-20th century, and in 1976 the observance received formal federal recognition, underscoring the importance of honoring contributions that had long been underrepresented in historical narratives.
Maine’s history reflects the presence, resilience, and impact of African American communities. From early participation in maritime industries to landmarks such as the Abyssinian Meeting House, the state’s first Black church, these stories are woven into Maine’s past. Exploring this history provides valuable context for understanding both the state’s development and the diverse experiences that continue to shape it.
All over Maine, most of us believe that we should take care of each other. It’s helped us get through a lot of hard times, and we know that when everyone gives what they can, we build a stronger state and a better future. That includes making sure that the wealthiest among us pay what they truly owe in taxes – so we can pay for the programs that help us all thrive. That’s where the budget comes in – it’s the most honest way that the people who run our state government reveal their priorities.
Public Hearing Schedule:
Wednesday, Feb 18 at 1:30pm: Health and Human Services – Childcare
Thursday Feb. 19th at 9am: Taxation
Thursday, Feb. 19th at 1:00pm: Housing and Economic Development
Review this document for instructions and more detailed info!
Dear Supporters of Maine AllCare and Universal Health Care:
At 10 AM on Wednesday, February 18 in Room 220 of the Cross Building the Maine legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance, and Financial Services Committee will holdpublic hearings on bills related to private equity (PE) acquisition of hospitals(and other health care entities) in our state.
Maine AllCare is particularly interested in four of these bills. We are asking you to provide testimony supporting them – in person, via Zoom or in writing. You can testify for one bill or two or more of them in a single testimony.
1. L.D. 2190: Certificate of Need Changes 2. L.D. 2197: Protecting Hospital Campus Ownership 3. L.D. 2198: Debt-to-Equity Standards for Health Care Transactions 4. L.D. 2201: Establishing a Regulatory Review & Approval Process for PE Transactions
HOW TO TESTIFY
Detailed information on how to submit testimony is available here. Follow the links to register for Zoom testimony or to submit written testimony.
If you decide to testify in person, you don’t need to sign up ahead of time, but limit your remarks to two minutes and bring 20 copies of testimony for distribution to the committee.
To testify electronically (via Zoom), register here AT LEAST 30 MINUTES before the posted start time of the meeting. Again, keep your remarks to two minutes or less.
Written testimony need not be limited to two minutes (if read aloud) but should not be much longer.
Take Action for the Fair Housing 3
Sign the petition and deliver it to Susan Collins
12:00 pm Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Federal workers serve the public, not politicians or billionaires. Even after the longest government shutdown in history and yet another looming in January, they are risking their livelihoods to stand up for a rules-based civil service from attacks by the Trump Administration. Instead of bending the knee, federal workers like the Fair Housing Three are standing their ground. And we’re standing with them.
The Fair Housing Three are civil rights attorneys in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) members, and organizers with the Federal Unionists Network (FUN). When they saw the Trump administration dismantling civil rights, violating federal law, and putting vulnerable communities at risk of major housing discrimination they spoke up, which they have a right to do. Shortly after, they were fired, placed on administrative leave, or reassigned.
The retaliation against the Fair Housing Three is a direct attack on essential protections from housing discrimination for domestic violence survivors, veterans, people with disabilities, people of color, and low-income people. HUD Secretary Scott Turner–under the guidance of billionaire champions like Donald Trump and Russell Vought– wants to give free rein to landlords, real estate agents, corrupt lenders, and corporate investors to pick and choose who deserves safe housing. Justice for the Fair Housing Three means our friends, neighbors, and families are safer.
Together, we can ensure this administration is held accountable and that workers like the Fair Housing Three can fulfill their duties to protect us! Join us to hand deliver the petition to Susan Collins on February 18TH at 12 PM at the Federal Building
Susan Collins must do her job to hold HUD Secretary Scott Turner accountable to the public.
Allow the Fair Housing Three do their jobs! Rehire and reinstate HUD whistleblowers.
Stop political interference and restore HUD’s ability to fulfill its mission to protect communities from discrimination.
Federal workers are under attack by the Trump administration, but together we will stand up to Susan Collins and demand she stands up for us.
Oppose the SAVE Act, MEGA Act, and Save America Act
This President’s Day, take action on the SAVE Act, the MEGA Act, and the Save America Act. These anti-democratic bills could be fast-tracked through Congress, with the Save America Act passed in the U.S. House last week (SAVE Act passed in the House last year). These laws would require voters to prove their citizenship by showing a passport or birth certificate in order to register to vote — a requirement that would disenfranchise millions of voters. According to the Brennan Center, “21 million American citizens don’t have these documents readily available.”
This bill would especially burden military voters, tribal voters, rural voters, and survivors of natural disasters. Plus, are you someone who’s married and changed your name? Or just someone who’s changed your name? You, too, could be affected. This could also effect Mainers living near the border who might have been born at a Canadian hospital to U.S. parents.
The MEGA Act would prohibit the use of mail-in voting (like absentee voting) and Ranked Choice Voting. The bill promotes voter roll purges and criminalizes clerical errors by election works. It’s a package of terrible ideas built upon false, debunked theories that our elections are not secure. Maine has the right to conduct our elections, which are already fair, transparent, and accessible. Let’s reject this federal intervention.
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.
If you want an easy way to actually do something, check out 5calls.org. You enter your location, pick an issue you care about, and it gives you your representatives’ phone numbers and a script. That’s it. Calling your elected officials is one of the most effective forms of civic engagement there is!
If you are more comfortable with sending emails to our Maine congressional delegation in Washington, click the links/buttons. This is a good option if you have lengthy comments or questions.
Please DONATE to a local food pantry- food, personal items, and even cash. Faith Linking in Action maintains a database of all food pantries and free meals– organized by both location and day of the week– in the Bangor area. Check it out here.
ActivateMaine has created a site, SNAP Into Action: “a statewide effort to help those who are affected by the freezing of benefits due to the Government shut down.” If you know of any food drives that are happening, please visit this site to add it to the database!
EVENTS
Weekly Events
Vigils in the Bangor Area
Tuesdays 11:00 am @ the Federal Building
Wednesdays 12:00-1:00 pm @ the town center – Details
Bangor Visibility Brigade
Fridays 3:30 pm @ Essex Street Overpass
Virtual Events
Thursdays 7:30 pm – League of Women Voters Youth Advocacy Team – Details
Monthly Events
Monthly Indivisible Bangor Meeting
5:00 pm Every first Wednesday @ Zoom
Future Events
Judiciary Committee Public Hearings
10:00 am & 1:00 pm February 19, 2026
Two tribal sovereignty bills will have public hearings on Thursday, Feb. 19 in the Judiciary Committee. See the Wabanaki Alliance for tips on writing testimony and taking action.
10:00 am – LD 395 — Tribal Sovereignty and Federal Laws: This bipartisan bill amends the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act and the Aroostook Band of Micmacs Settlement Act so that the Wabanaki tribes can benefit from most existing and future federal laws.
1:00 pm – LD 785 — Implementing Recommendations from the Task Force on Changes to the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act: This bipartisan bill protects Wabanaki rights by restoring tribal self-government to all federally-recognized tribes in Maine. It repeals or amends provisions in the Settlement Act that for more than 40 years have treated the Wabanaki Nations as akin to municipalities, rather than as sovereign nations with rights and powers under federal Indian law.
The ACLU of Maine’s Legal Fights for Immigrants’ Rights
6:00 pm February 24, 2026
Join staff attorneys Anahita Sotoohi and Max Brooks to hear about how their legal work to protect immigrants’ rights in Maine. They’ll cover how we work in the courts to ensure the rights of individual immigrants, how accessing public records sheds light on law enforcement and federal immigration operations, and the resources available to immigrants and their communities.
Join Maine Indivisible leaders, group members, grassroots activists, and community partners for our next statewide call. The Maine Rising team will lead a group discussion about state and local action priorities during the second half of the agenda.
Many of us have been disappointed that the Democratic party has not done more to fend off the current Republican assault on our democratic institutions and moral values. But we cannot succumb to cynicism or despair; giving up not an option.
We all need to show up, be vocal, and force the party do what it needs to do. What it was designed to do. When we raise our collective voices, the party leadership will be forced to listen to us. And as history shows, the Democratic Party can be a powerful force for democracy and the rule of law.
Our participation is what creates the power. Together we can make a difference. But to do so we must build solidarity. There are literally thousands of Registered Democrats in Hancock County that we haven’t heard from or met. Your voice may be like a single strand of spider silk, but a rope made of spider silk is stronger than steel (1). Please come to the caucus and use your energy to steer the ship in the right direction! Carpool with other Registered Dems and get there early for the best parking.
NO KINGS PROTEST
1774713600
days
hours minutes seconds
until
In 2025, millions of Americans came together in nonviolent protest to oppose the growing authoritarian actions of the Trump administration and affirm that this nation belongs to its people, not to kings. Since then, people have continued to rise up nonviolently against the Trump administration’s ongoing brutality and abuses of power, including the latest escalation in Minnesota. The No Kings Coalition is activating an immediate and ongoing nationwide digital organizing effort leading up to our next mass mobilization on March 28, including a flagship event in the Twin Cities.
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!
Hello everyone! It’s more important than ever to stay engaged and support our local community. Let’s use some of that leftover Valentine’s Day chocolate to fuel up and celebrate this year’s Presidents’ Day by taking action and participating in civic engagement!
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!As always, check out our Blue Sky and Instagram for current info.
Despite Mainers voting overwhelmingly to reject the voter suppression measures list in Question 1 last November, Senator Collins has decided that she supports even stricter voter suppression measures.The bill recently passed in the House and will be up for vote in the Senate soon. From Bangor Daily News:
Trump has framed the bill as a national voter ID push, although it is slightly different than that. Democrats have argued it could still bar millions of people from voting, with the liberal Brennan Center for Justice saying 21 million Americans lack ready access to the documents that would be required to prove citizenship. Noncitizens are barred from voting in federal elections.
In celebration of Black History Month, we will be sharing local Black History and Black Community resources throughout the month.
The origins of Black History Month date back nearly a century to historian Carter G. Woodson, who sought to bring national attention to the role African Americans have played in shaping the United States. These efforts gained momentum on college campuses in the mid-20th century, and in 1976 the observance received formal federal recognition, underscoring the importance of honoring contributions that had long been underrepresented in historical narratives.
Maine’s history reflects the presence, resilience, and impact of African American communities. From early participation in maritime industries to landmarks such as the Abyssinian Meeting House, the state’s first Black church, these stories are woven into Maine’s past. Exploring this history provides valuable context for understanding both the state’s development and the diverse experiences that continue to shape it.
Federal workers serve the public, not politicians or billionaires. Even after the longest government shutdown in history and yet another looming in January, they are risking their livelihoods to stand up for a rules-based civil service from attacks by the Trump Administration. Instead of bending the knee, federal workers like the Fair Housing Three are standing their ground. And we’re standing with them.
The Fair Housing Three are civil rights attorneys in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) members, and organizers with the Federal Unionists Network (FUN). When they saw the Trump administration dismantling civil rights, violating federal law, and putting vulnerable communities at risk of major housing discrimination they spoke up, which they have a right to do. Shortly after, they were fired, placed on administrative leave, or reassigned.
The retaliation against the Fair Housing Three is a direct attack on essential protections from housing discrimination for domestic violence survivors, veterans, people with disabilities, people of color, and low-income people. HUD Secretary Scott Turner–under the guidance of billionaire champions like Donald Trump and Russell Vought– wants to give free rein to landlords, real estate agents, corrupt lenders, and corporate investors to pick and choose who deserves safe housing. Justice for the Fair Housing Three means our friends, neighbors, and families are safer.
Together, we can ensure this administration is held accountable and that workers like the Fair Housing Three can fulfill their duties to protect us! Join us to hand deliver the petition to Susan Collins on February 18TH at 12 PM at the Federal Building
Susan Collins must do her job to hold HUD Secretary Scott Turner accountable to the public.
Allow the Fair Housing Three do their jobs! Rehire and reinstate HUD whistleblowers.
Stop political interference and restore HUD’s ability to fulfill its mission to protect communities from discrimination.
Federal workers are under attack by the Trump administration, but together we will stand up to Susan Collins and demand she stands up for us.
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.
If you want an easy way to actually do something, check out 5calls.org. You enter your location, pick an issue you care about, and it gives you your representatives’ phone numbers and a script. That’s it. Calling your elected officials is one of the most effective forms of civic engagement there is!
If you are more comfortable with sending emails to our Maine congressional delegation in Washington, click the links/buttons. This is a good option if you have lengthy comments or questions.
Please DONATE to a local food pantry- food, personal items, and even cash. Faith Linking in Action maintains a database of all food pantries and free meals– organized by both location and day of the week– in the Bangor area. Check it out here.
ActivateMaine has created a site, SNAP Into Action: “a statewide effort to help those who are affected by the freezing of benefits due to the Government shut down.” If you know of any food drives that are happening, please visit this site to add it to the database!
EVENTS
Weekly Events
Vigils in the Bangor Area
Tuesdays 11:00 am @ the Federal Building
Wednesdays 12:00-1:00 pm @ the town center – Details
Bangor Visibility Brigade
3:30 pm @ Essex Street Overpass
Monthly Events
Monthly Indivisible Bangor Meeting
5:00 pm Every first Wednesday @ Zoom
Future Events
Maine Indivisible Network Statewide Call
5:00 pm February 24, 2026
Join Maine Indivisible leaders, group members, grassroots activists, and community partners for our next statewide call. The Maine Rising team will lead a group discussion about state and local action priorities during the second half of the agenda.
Many of us have been disappointed that the Democratic party has not done more to fend off the current Republican assault on our democratic institutions and moral values. But we cannot succumb to cynicism or despair; giving up not an option.
We all need to show up, be vocal, and force the party do what it needs to do. What it was designed to do. When we raise our collective voices, the party leadership will be forced to listen to us. And as history shows, the Democratic Party can be a powerful force for democracy and the rule of law.
Our participation is what creates the power. Together we can make a difference. But to do so we must build solidarity. There are literally thousands of Registered Democrats in Hancock County that we haven’t heard from or met. Your voice may be like a single strand of spider silk, but a rope made of spider silk is stronger than steel (1). Please come to the caucus and use your energy to steer the ship in the right direction! Carpool with other Registered Dems and get there early for the best parking.
NO KINGS PROTEST
1774713600
days
hours minutes seconds
until
In 2025, millions of Americans came together in nonviolent protest to oppose the growing authoritarian actions of the Trump administration and affirm that this nation belongs to its people, not to kings. Since then, people have continued to rise up nonviolently against the Trump administration’s ongoing brutality and abuses of power, including the latest escalation in Minnesota. The No Kings Coalition is activating an immediate and ongoing nationwide digital organizing effort leading up to our next mass mobilization on March 28, including a flagship event in the Twin Cities.
The ICE resources that have been listed in previous newsletters can be found here.
Legislator Contact Info
The names of our senators and representatives listed below are links that go right to their official congressional contact form pages. The telephone numbers are links that should open your phone app to call that number. It’s that easy!
