Indivisible Bangor

Category: Call To Action

  • Action 160. Labor Day

    Background: If you aren’t familiar with the origins of the holiday, here’s a link to the Wikipedia article about it.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day  Scroll down to see the history of US Labor Day vs. May Day, and on what date Labor Day will fall in the future!  Frances Perkins, that amazing woman who was the prime mover behind much of the New Deal as well as our first Secretary of Labor (1), finally has a National Monument in the form of her Newcastle homestead (2), which you can go visit – maybe September 7 when there will be an event in her honor. (3) What is happening to our nation as Trump and his merry band of fascists attempt to undo all her good work is a travesty that must not stand.  

    Actions:

    Labor Day Monday Sept. 1 Peaceful protest in Ellsworth. A flyer is attached. Come in the morning for the standout on High Street, stay for the rally and march in the afternoon.  Some have questioned why the emphasis that protests be nonviolent.  Answers include: (a) we don’t want to provide any excuse for reciprocal violence on the part of the fascist thugs the Trump administration has been hiring, (b) if you create violence, in the ensuing mayhem some very vulnerable people (e.g. elderly, children, disabled) who are protesting beside you may be severely injured, and (c) violence simply does not align with our values. However, to be non-violent does NOT mean to be wishy-washy!  Make a sign that hits hard and doesn’t mince words!  Print and post the attached flyer locally and on any of your social media.

    Blue Hill Fair Aug 28- Sept 1 Attend and Talk to people!  The Hancock County Dems have a booth, and your participation would be very much appreciated. Contact Lin Gould (lingould347@gmail.com) to volunteer for an open slot and find out what’s involved.  Free fair admission!  A chance to inform and engage with a wide variety of voters and learn what’s on their minds!  The insights you gain will be valuable going forward into election season. And you might convince some people to vote who otherwise would have skipped the important November 4 2025 Maine election. 

    Door to door canvass in your town.  Right after Labor Day, Democrats start hitting the roads to tell people about Referendum Question 1 and encourage people to VOTE NO on November 4.  This is vitally important.  Contact your town Dem chair for how you can get involved. (And visit Save Maine Absentee Voting).

    Watch a short youtube video.  We concur with Emanuel Pariser’s recommendation to watch Robert Reich’s “Five Ways to Fight Facism”, and talk to your friends and family about it. (4) 
    “The future is watching”!

    Extra Credit:

    (1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Perkins

    (2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Perkins_National_Monument

    (3) https://francesperkinscenter.org/social-security-90th-anniversary/
    (4) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W-lVRQQGtI

  • Action 158 November ‘25 voting

    Background:  Now that the “dog days of summer” (1) are officially over and the campaign season is just beginning, we defenders of democracy have our work cut out for us for the next two months!

    November 4, 2025     is the date for municipal general elections and the state referendum vote. Registration deadline by mail is Tuesday October 14. In-person, the deadline is on voting day, but it’s best to register beforehand, and also to check to be sure you are still registered.  Online registration is here: https://registertovote.sos.maine.gov.  Up for our vote on Nov. 4 is Referendum Question 1, which MUST be defeated.  It’s clearly designed as a voter suppression measure.  The Question is titled “An Act to Require an Individual to Present Photographic Identification for the Purpose of Voting” but this title is highly misleading, as this is not by any means all that the vote entails. The measure will severely curtail absentee voting, which in 2024 was the voting method of choice of 40% of Mainers, including 60% of Seniors.  Question 1 particularly disenfranchises people with disabilities, rural voters, seniors, and working people.  Among its provisions: it prevents you from ordering your ballot by phone, or having your family member or caregiver pick one up for you.  

    The actual language on the referendum question reads “Do you want to change Maine election laws to eliminate two days of absentee voting, prohibit requests for absentee ballots by phone or family members, end ongoing absentee voter status for seniors and people with disabilities, ban prepaid postage on absentee ballot return envelopes, limit the number of drop boxes, require voters to show certain photo ID before voting, and make other changes to our elections?”  Several of those “other changes” are highly problematic.  Download and read the complete language here:| Legislation (Word)  The whole bit about requiring a photo ID is a sneaky and underhanded red herring (2).  There is an infinitesimal amount of voter fraud in Maine, never remotely enough to change election outcomes (3).  The proponents are cynically using the requirement for a photo ID as a sanitizing cover-up to make voting harder for anyone who might tend to vote for a Democrat.  We shouldn’t fall for this ruse, nor let our friends and neighbors fall for it. 

    Also up for our vote on Nov. 4 are MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.  You can have a huge impact here!  For many years the right wingers have recognized the power in motivating the grass roots.  We defenders of democracy must do the same.  No longer can we take for granted that the nation will be governed responsibly without any effort on our part.  We have to get out of our comfort zone and recruit, or volunteer ourselves, for local office.

    Actions:
    You can help defeat Question 1 by:


    You can help recruit people for local office! Focus on town elections.  For instance, Ellsworth has two school board seats and  three city council seats up (perennial and deeply unqualified candidate John Linnehan has apparently taken out papers). Find out what is coming up in YOUR town and recruit a good candidate!


    Urgency:  Make a plan of what you are going to do, and start implementing it right after Labor Day.

    Extra Credit:

    (1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_days

    (2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_herring

    (3) https://www.maine.gov/sos/news/secretary-state-condemns-false-allegations-voter-fraud
          https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/debunking-voter-fraud-myth

  • Bold Coast Civic Alliance Action Items – Friday, August 15th

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

    1. Contact Senators King and Collins to oppose the nomination of E.J. Antoni as the Commissioner of the Board of Labor Statistics 
    2. Tell Congress to take back its power and reverse Trump’s damaging tariffs 
    3. Support bills to mitigate the negative effects of the Big Bad Bill 
    4. Save our VA hospitals 
    5. Consider supporting Washington, D.C., becoming a state 
    6. Fight the EPA’s planned repeal of the 2009 “Endangerment Finding” rule 

    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

    (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)      Contact Senators King and Collins to oppose the nomination of E.J. Antoni as the Commissioner of the Board of Labor Statistics: 

         Antoni is part of the Heritage Foundation, which was the driving force behind Project 2025. In keeping with that institution’s drive toward Christian nationalism, Antoni’s doctoral dissertation from Northern Illinois University thanks his “spiritual patrons: Our Lady of Victory, St. Joseph, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Jude, St. Joseph of Cupertino, and Sts. Peter and Paul. Thank you, most especially, to Our Lord, with whom anything is possible.” Antoni is known primarily for media work, including appearances on the Fox News Channel, where he has relentlessly cheered on Trump’s policies. 

         Dominic Pino of the conservative National Review wrote today that Antoni is “nowhere near qualified to be BLS commissioner,” noting that “he has demonstrated time and again that he does not understand economic statistics.” As J.V. Last of The Bulwark notes, destroying faith in statistics by cooking the books is actually Trump’s plan, illustrated in his announcement of Antoni’s nomination when he wrote: “Our Economy is booming, and E.J. will ensure that the Numbers released are Honest and Accurate.” Project 2025 calls for consolidating the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Census Bureau, and Bureau of Labor Statistics into a single office and aligning their “mission with conservative principles,” as well as putting as many loyalists into statistical positions as possible. 

    (Credit for the above information goes to Heather Cox Richardson) 

         This man should not be allowed any position of power in our government, let alone one where he will cook the books for Trump and Project 2025.  

         You can also sign a Resistbot letter about this to our senators by texting SIGN PFBABY to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram. 

    2)      Tell Congress to take back its power and reverse Trump’s damaging tariffs: 
         Prices are rising, and it is pretty clear that the blame lies square on Trump’s tariffs. Among other sources, see https://apnews.com/article/producer-prices-inflation-trump-tariffs-economy-0f6613cc6f9e1b76939fdcf2c9ad8d03    
         Call Senators Angus King and Susan Collins and Rep. Jared Golden to demand that they push both houses of Congress to take back its power and reverse the tariffs. According to the Constitution, only Congress can set tariffs on foreign countries. So Congress should be able to stop these ridiculous economy-killing tariffs. 

    3)      Support bills to mitigate the negative effects of the Big Bad Bill: 
         Senate Democrats have introduced two pieces of legislation to reverse the worst of the cuts in Trump’s Big Bad Bill: The Protecting Healthcare and Lowering Costs Act (S. 2556) to repeal the healthcare cuts, and the Lowering Electric Bills Act (S. 2681) to reverse his take hikes on clean energy. Contact Angus King and Susan Collins to demand that both Senators support both bills.  
         Contact Representative Golden to urge him to support H.R. 4849, the Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act of 2025.  
     

    4)      Save VA hospitals: 
         According to a new report, every single VA Hospital in the country is facing critical staff shortages. These shortages are a direct result of DOGE cuts and other Trump policies. That is utterly shameful for a country that claims to revere its veterans, the men and women who have laid their lives on the line for our freedoms.  
         Contact our Senators and House Rep to urge them to demand the immediate restoration of the previously Congress-allocated funding. 
     

    5)      If you agree, support Washington, D.C. becoming a state: 
         There are bills in the Senate (S. 51) and the House (H.R. 51) to grant DC statehood. If you agree that this should happen, urge our senators and house rep to support these bills. I believe Jared Golden voted against it, or at least declined to cosponsor it in the House; King has not yet joined as a cosponsor in the Senate; I don’t expect Collins to support it, but we should demand that she do it anyway. 
     

    6)      Fight the EPA’s planned repeal of the 2009 “Endangerment Finding” rule:  
         The EPA’s original 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards established that greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane “threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations” and set the stage for regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions across the economy. Now they want to repeal all that. This repeal “would not only erase all current limits on greenhouse gas pollution from cars, factories, power plants, and other sources. It would prevent future administrations from trying to tackle climate change, with lasting implications.” (The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/climate/trump-epa-endangerment-finding-climate-change.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eE8.46fu.6gbHqjVkCooS&smid=url-share ) 

         This proposed repeal would be an enormous step backwards for our country, effectively making pollution of air, water, and land the standard by which we will must all live…and die. There is nothing positive about this for anyone except the dirty energy companies. Next thing  you know, they’ll be making seat belts and cancer warnings on cigarette packs illegal, and Energy Star appliances will be replaced by required installation of coal-burning appliances.  
         Bottom line: The Environmental Protection Agency wants to eliminate its own authority to combat climate change and fight for public health. That is insane.  
         The EPA’s Proposed Rule for Reconsideration of 2009 Endangerment Finding and Greenhouse Gas Vehicle Standards is open for public comment NOW through Sep 15. Here’s the link to review the proposed rule and submit a comment (use the green “submit a public comment” button near the top right):  https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/01/2025-14572/reconsideration-of-2009-endangerment-finding-and-greenhouse-gas-vehicle-standards?     

       They need to hear from as many people as possible to hopefully stop this repeal from happening. 

    Yours in Civic Action, 

    Bold Coast Civic Alliance

  • Action 157. Do something Sept. 1

    From our friends at Hancock County Democrats:

    Background. This year Labor Day falls on September 1, just three weeks away.  Every day it becomes more obvious that the Trump regime is working overtime to destroy our representative democracy and the rule of law, all in the service of a narcissistic sociopath and a cadre of the obscenely rich, the cowards, and the sycophants. As the national economy degrades, along with the government services on which workers and the middle class have come to rely, one would think that the people who will be the most adversely impacted would be up in arms and eager to protest.  But so far, planning for a big Labor Day nationwide demonstration seems to be proceeding in a sluggish fashion, if at all.  Maybe because it’s so darn hot.  Maybe because people are trying to enjoy the last morsels of summer fun before we knuckle down to serious business as kids go back to school and we gear up for November elections (and to defeat Question 1 on the Maine ballot!).  Maybe it’s because Maine people are, as usual, looking forward to Labor Day as marking our relief from all the tourists and visitors. One can only hope that we haven’t “thrown in the towel”!  To inspire you, please read Robert Reich’s piece from this morning. It’s brief, just a bit over 500 words, and worth a couple of minutes.  https://open.substack.com/pub/robertreich/p/seeking-the-good

    On Labor Day (thus far) in Maine: 

    Activate Maine shows protests on Sept. 1 in Freeport, Wells, Presque Isle, and Auburn.  Details at https://www.activatemaine.com/calendar.  Click the forward arrow > next to “TODAY” 

    and keep scrolling to get to Sept. 1.  Details on each event are found by clicking on the name of the town: a dropdown box will appear.

    The national fiftyfiftyone organization (https://www.fiftyfifty.one/) shows many events across the country.  So far, their map shows Labor Day events only in Machias and Auburn, and no other towns.  The map says “may day” but the entries on the map are for Sept. 1.  If you have friends living elsewhere, send them a link for an event in their area.  https://www.mobilize.us/mayday/map/.  

    Even though the national AFL-CIO announced in a press release (1) that there would be a week of action, the MAINE AFL-CIO shows no protests on their website.  Instead, the organization seems to be holding at least three normal, annual Labor Day social events.  These are not protests.    But if you have connections with union members, or would like to make those connections, attending in solidarity might be a good idea, especially if you can make a donation to support their work (and pay for your food!). The following website has contact info:

    https://maineaflcio.org/news/mark-your-calendars-labor-day-events-portland-skowhegan-brewer

    Pre-labor day protests in Maine: 

    There ARE regular protest events happening before Labor Day.  In fact, there is something going on somewhere in Maine on every single day between now and Sept. 1.  Attend an event closest to you, if you can.  Bring your summer visitors!   Indivisible’s list is at https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/  Once again, Activate Maine’s list is at https://www.activatemaine.com/calendar  Click the forward arrow to find the town and date that interests you.

    And/or, if possible, gather a few friends, call the local office of Senator King or Senator Collins or Jared Golden, and arrange to pay a visit. Congress is in recess.  Great time to go thank them, or give them a piece of your mind!     

    Extra Credit:
    (1) https://aflcio.org/press/releases/afl-cio-announces-workers-labor-day-workers-deserve-week-action

  • Bold Coast Civic Alliance – Action Items – Thursday, July 31st.

    From our friends at Bold Coast Civic Alliance-

    There are so many, many things for us to speak up about, and I try hard not to share too many in these emails. There’s nothing like the feeling of overwhelm to make a person freeze like a deer in the headlights and instead of acting, do absolutely nothing. Deep breaths, everyone, and then take the next step in our long march. (How’s that for corny? LOL) 

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

    1. Stop the mass starvation in Gaza! 
    2. URGENT: Call our Senators to oppose Andrea Lucas’ confirmation as Chair of the EEOC 
    3. Support a resolution for a “No Kings” constitutional amendment 
    4. More to do on Epstein 
    5. Tell the FTC to protect everyone from AI voice deepfakes 
    6. The proposed Kids Online Safety Act could cause more problems than it fixes 
    7. A Maine action, for those who don’t like Chik-fil-A or approve of their politics 

    Contact info: 

    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. 

    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

    Actions 

    Actions 

    1)      Contact Senator Collins, Congressman Golden, and the White House to oppose the mass starvation of the Palestinians in Gaza: 

         The situation is absolutely dire. Here is what Angus King had to say about this (and yes, you can call him to thank him and encourage him):  

    “I cannot defend the indefensible. Israel’s actions in the conduct of the war in Gaza, especially its failure to address the unimaginable humanitarian crisis now unfolding, is an affront to human decency. What appears to be a deliberately-induced famine among a civilian population—including tens of thousands of starving children—can never be an acceptable military strategy…While clearly justified in responding to the horrific attack by Hamas on innocent Israeli citizens, that tragic event cannot in turn justify the enormous toll on Palestinian civilians caused by Israel’s relentless bombing campaign and its indifference to the current plight of those trapped in what’s left of Gaza…I in no way accept or condone the actions of Hamas, but recent events have placed a moral burden on Israel to ameliorate the current crisis, a burden it has thus far totally failed to meet…For these reasons, I am through supporting the actions of the current Israeli government and will advocate—and vote—for an end to any United States support whatsoever until there is a demonstrable change in the direction of Israeli policy. My litmus test will be simple: no aid of any kind as long as there are starving children in Gaza due to the action or inaction of the Israeli government.” 

    Here’s what we have to ask Collins, Golden, and Trump (www.whitehouse.gov) to do: 

         1. Stop shipments of offensive weapons to IDF units in Gaza and the West Bank.  These units are credibly implicated in the commission of gross violations of human rights.  Enforce the Leahy Laws (22 U.S. Code § 2378d – Limitation on assistance to security forces 

    U.S. Code: “No assistance shall be furnished under this chapter or the Arms Export Control Act [22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq.] to any unit of the security forces of a foreign country if the Secretary of State has credible information that such unit has committed a gross violation of human rights.” 

         2. Stop funding the ad-hoc Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.  Bring back UN and NGO groups with demonstrated expertise in distributing humanitarian aid. (https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-welch-19-senators-call-for-answers-on-gaza-humanitarian-foundation-press-administration-to-cease-funding-ghf) 

    Personal note for transparency: When I condemn Israel’s actions, I speak as a Jewish person who has lived in Israel and who believes in Israel’s right to exist. But I absolutely condemn the Israeli government’s actions in its obvious attempts to utterly destroy Gaza and the people who live there. If you feel differently, you are free to ignore this Action Item. 

    2)Tell Senators Collins and King to oppose the confirmation of Andrea Lucas as Chair of the EEOC: 

         In addition to its name being pretty clear on what it stands for, the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) states its “vision” and “mission” right on their website: 

    The EEOC’s Vision is: Fair and inclusive workplaces with equal opportunity for all. 

    The EEOC’s Mission is to: Prevent and remedy unlawful employment discrimination and advance equal opportunity for all. 

    Andrea Lucas, however, is a conservative activist who, as Acting Chair of the EEOC, has been using her position to accomplish the opposite of the EEOC’s stated mission and vision. From 5calls.org: 

         “During her brief tenure as EEOC Acting Chair, Lucas has abused her position to launch unlawful investigations against Trump’s critics and adversaries, shaking down law firms under the guise of “illegal DEI” programs, and thwarting free speech in universities—in some cases, even sending questionnaires to faculty on their personal cell phones asking if they identify as Jewish. She also has announced her intent to prosecute employers for engaging in “anti-American national origin discrimination”—in other words, for hiring workers who were not born in the United States. She has specifically targeted the rights of LGBTQIA+ workers, ending EEOC investigations of LGBTQIA+ workplace discrimination.” 

         It seems very clear to me that she is possibly the wrongest [sic] person for this job, and we should make clear to Susan Collins and Angus King that they should oppose her confirmation. 

    3)      A resolution has been introduced in Congress for a constitutional amendment declaring that no president is above the law. Right now, to build momentum, we need to get as many members of Congress as possible on record in support of this “No Kings” amendment. Public Citizen has a petition/letter that we can sign. Obviously, this will never pass in the current Congress, but the more names on the the petition, the better. Congress must be put on notice that their constituents care. You can sign here: https://act.citizen.org/page/86233/petition/1 

    4)      More to do on Epstein: 
         All seven Democrats on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, along with Chuck Schumer, sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi invoking a little-known law called “the rule of five” to force the Trump administration to turn over material related to the Epstein investigation. 
         Contact Senators Collins and King to vocally support this effort. You can read the letter here: https://static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/documenttools/d1193ded99f0a9a9/ced71823-full.pdf  
        And if you’re interested, the Rule of Five states: “An Executive agency, on request of the Committee on Government Operations of the House of Representatives, or of any seven members thereof, or on request of the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate, or any five members thereof, shall submit any information requested of it relating to any matter within the jurisdiction of the committee.” 
     

    5)      Tell the FTC to protect everyone from AI voice deepfakes: 
         Artificial intelligence “deepfakes” of people’s voices are becoming increasingly easy to create, and it can be done without your consent or even your knowledge. The FTC prohibits impersonating government officials or business officials, but not us ordinary folks, leaving us all ever more vulnerable to being scammed. 

         Consumer Reports is lobbying to change this. You can sign their petition here: https://action.consumerreports.org/nb-20250317-aideepfakepetition 

    6)      Tell Senators Collins and King to oppose S.1748, the “Kids Online Safety Act” (KOSA): 

         KOSA, the “Kids Online Safety Act” doesn’t look like the right answer to a real concern. Its language is too unclear, leaving big loopholes that could allow the Trump administration’s partisan FTC to block any speech it disagrees with. See: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/05/kids-online-safety-act-will-make-internet-worse-everyone 

    7)      Reported in the Press-Herald:  Maine Turnpike Authority’s new Executive Director, Andre Briere, is considering adding Chick-Fil-A to the service plazas along the Maine Turnpike. Chick-Fil-A is an ardent supporter for “traditional families”, and they are outspoken activists against gay marriage and the entire LGBTQ+ community. They’re also closed on Sundays. Is Chik-Fil-A the way Maine wants to greet its visitors? And shouldn’t Sunday drivers have full options at our service plazas? Does Chik-Fil-A’s stated vision jibe with Maine: The Way Life Should Be? If you want to oppose this, you can call Mr. Briere directly and leave him a voicemail: MTA: (877) 682-9433, ext. 124. 

  • Action 155: Stop the genocide.

    From our friends at Hancock County Democrats:

    Background:  We received a request from a friend to post this action, which we have substantially edited but hopefully not altered in intent.  She writes: “…Today’s request is urgent. … The extent of human suffering in Gaza has finally captured the attention of people and powers worldwide, and here at home. This is a critical moment to add our voices…We might be able to do some good to change policy and bring relief to the starving and suffering people of Gaza. Senator King has stepped up. Sen. Collins and Rep. Golden have been silent.” 

    Senator King’s statement reads in part:

     “I cannot defend the indefensible. Israel’s actions in the conduct of the war in Gaza, especially its failure to address the unimaginable humanitarian crisis now unfolding, is an affront to human decency. What appears to be a deliberately-induced famine among a civilian population—including tens of thousands of starving children—can never be an acceptable military strategy…While clearly justified in responding to the horrific attack by Hamas on innocent Israeli citizens, that tragic event cannot in turn justify the enormous toll on Palestinian civilians caused by Israel’s relentless bombing campaign and its indifference to the current plight of those trapped in what’s left of Gaza…I in no way accept or condone the actions of Hamas, but recent events have placed a moral burden on Israel to ameliorate the current crisis, a burden it has thus far totally failed to meet…For these reasons, I am through supporting the actions of the current Israeli government and will advocate—and vote—for an end to any United States support whatsoever until there is a demonstrable change in the direction of Israeli policy. My litmus test will be simple: no aid of any kind as long as there are starving children in Gaza due to the action or inaction of the Israeli government.” (1)

    The ad-hoc, nonprofit Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (2) is part of the problem.  Established in February of 2025, it is backed by the US and Israeli governments, but criticized by the United Nations and over 170 international charities for its field operations, which have resulted in shocking deaths of starving Palestinians – exactly the opposite of what they were supposed to be doing.  Our friend writes: “They were told their ‘plan’ would result in chaos. They are herding starving people into a few hard-to-reach small areas – where the starving are being shot like fish in a barrel. Since late May, more than 766 Palestinians were killed while heading to sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. … Israeli, Trump administration, AIPAC and CUFI assertions that Hamas is blocking distribution have proven to be false. This humanitarian crisis is a compounding of Israel’s years long blockade with months of Israel effectively preventing food and medical supplies into Gaza.”  [AIPAC = American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying group.  CUFI = Christians United for Israel, the largest Zionist organization in the US.  See Extra Credit.]

    Actions:  Contact Senator Collins and Representative Golden and yes, the White House.  Ask them to:

    1. Stop shipments of offensive weapons to IDF units in Gaza and the West Bank.  These units are credibly implicated in the commission of gross violations of human rights.  Enforce the Leahy Laws (3).  
    2. Stop funding the ad-hoc Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.  Bring back UN and NGO groups with demonstrated expertise in distributing humanitarian aid.

    Urgency:  Every day that goes by means more innocent, starving people being murdered while the US Administration turns a blind eye.

    Contacts: 

    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

    President Trump: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

    Extra Credit:

  • Action 154: Run, Matt, Run!

    Note: The Hancock County Democratic Committee does not formally endorse any particular Democrat in any election where more than one Democrat may be running in competition with each other.  The following Action Item should not be construed as an official endorsement.  It’s the author’s viewpoint.

    Background:  For some time, we have been wishing for a challenger to Jared Golden.  Ranked choice voting in the primary this year has made this an excellent opportunity to vote our preference and still not lose the CD 2 seat to a “Rethuglican” like Paul LePage.  

    What are our problems with Jared Golden?  Some wag characterized him as “Susan Collins in trousers”. That makes sense especially since early in his career he was a member of her staff.  One characteristic they share is that they tend they burnish their “bipartisan” credentials by voting with the opposition party when their vote doesn’t really matter (because the outcome is already “in the bag”).  Here’s a sampling of Golden’s objectionable actions:

    • Voted FOR HR 9495 (Action #4), 
    • Voted FOR the SAVE Act (several times – see Actions #9, 24, 54, 62, 77, 88, 90, 118), 
    • Introduced legislation to impose an across-the-board 10% tariff (Action #13), 
    • Voted FOR the Laken Riley act (Action #15), 
    • REFUSED to attend any Town Halls with his constituents (Action # 32, 55, 70), 
    • Voted FOR the Continuing Resolution in favor of Trump budget cutting (Action # 67, 68) 
    • Voted FOR the crypto-corruption-enabling GENIUS Act (Action # 148). 


    You can read up on all these Actions at https://isledems.org/actionitems

    Re. the SAVE act, Golden even had the temerity to LECTURE a former Secretary of State on how voting works in Maine, and essentially ARGUE that the SAVE act doesn’t say what it actually says.  You will recall that the Secretary of State has the statutory responsibility to oversee voting.  Golden apparently thought he knew the rules, and the effect of the SAVE act, better than a former Secretary of State with a total of 14 years in that position!  

    That former Secretary of State?  Matt Dunlap, who is exploring a run for Golden’s seat.  

    Background on Matt:  The best place to start is the website for the State Auditor, his current job.  https://www.maine.gov/audit/about-auditor.html  Matt is working on the papers he needs to file in order to announce his candidacy formally, expected sometime in September.  A fact about Matt that does not appear on the website:  During the first Trump administration, when Matt was the Secretary of State, he had to SUE to protect Maine voter information which was being sought by Trump’s “fraudulent voting” commission.  See Extra Credit.  He has amply demonstrated that he will stand up for Mainers, no matter how authoritarian the Trump regime becomes.

    Action:  There will be a potluck “meet and greet” in Surry on August 15, starting at 5:30.  Reservations are needed because parking is limited.  This is the first of what will likely be numerous gatherings as those of us who are supporting his candidacy get organized. (Think about holding a gathering in your town!)  If you would like to attend this first one, send an email to oneilldrm@gmail.com to sign up.  Moira will let you know if there is still room, and if so, she will give you the directions to the location.  

    Extra Credit:

    https://www.governing.com/archive/tns-dunlap-maine-trump-commission.htmlandidate of whatever party win the ranked choice primary and go on to win the election in 2026!

    https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/politics/maine-politics/as-maine-secretary-of-state-matthew-dunlaps-tenure-ends-he-reflects-on-the-myth-of-voter-fraud/97-83c77cbb-213e-4243-9768-9c30195cfb5b

    https://americanoversight.org/investigation/dunlap-v-pacei-investigating-voter-fraud-commission/

    https://www.bates.edu/news/2018/03/02/matt-dunlap-dont-call-it-fraud-because-you-disagree-with-it/

    https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-voter-fraud-commission-dunlap-lawsuit

    https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/member-trump-s-voter-fraud-commission-says-lack-evidence-reveals-n897796

    https://www.pressherald.com/2018/07/18/federal-voter-fraud-commission-documents-finally-headed-to-maine-secretary-of-state-dunlap/

    https://www.npr.org/2018/08/04/635668304/member-of-disbanded-trump-voter-fraud-commission-speaks-out

    https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/2017-12-28/maine-election-chief-shines-light-on-voter-fraud-panel-he-was-accused-of-legitimizing

  • Action 153 Protect the VOTE

    From our friends at Hancock County Democrats:

    Realization #1: Given the enormous and outrageous quantity and variety of harms that are being perpetrated on the American public by this administration through its Project 2025 and Big Ugly Budget Bill, it’s almost impossible for any single person to keep up.  Therefore the most useful thing we can each do, is pick one battle in the fight to save democracy, and focus most of our energy on it.   For Maine voters, right now, this is probably the campaign to defeat the upcoming voter suppression referendum on the November 2025 ballot. More on that below. 

    Realization #2: This concentration of effort does not mean that we neglect making phone calls to our elected officials on other important issues, but it does mean that we become more efficient, picking a simple and reliable method of getting our voices heard.  Consider the following: 

    • The “5 calls app” has a comprehensive and timely list of issues with background and suggested “scripts”.  It’s available for both apple (https://apps.apple.com/app/id1202558609) and android (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.a5calls.android.a5calls&pli=1) and works on a phone or tablet. The focus is usually national.  Once you have decided to make a call, do not copy the suggested script verbatim – use your own words.  Also, make your call directly to the relevant office rather than clicking through the app. These procedures will increase your effectiveness.  Also, call your state representative and senator on the same issue.  Even if they aren’t voting on that issue, it’s important that they know where their constituents stand – especially if you are “represented” by a Republican!

    Action: (Back to Realization #1) Let’s all volunteer at https://saveabsentee.me.  This website provides all the background you need *. We MUST increase voter turnout to defeat this harmful referendum. You may think “oh, there’s three months until we vote on this issue, no emergency”.  However, one of the most important things we can do now is to organize a local canvassing effort.  This takes a lot of advance planning, training and recruitment, and there is no time to waste.  While protecting our vote should be the “foot in the door” issue, we will find people eager to discuss the myriad other threats to our future. For example, many of our friends and neighbors may lose their MaineCare, northern and downeast Maine hospitals may be doomed, and the remaining facilities in southern Maine will be swamped. 

    Urgency:  Download the “5 Calls” app this week, and start a regular program.  Many have found tapping onto “5 Calls” along with their morning coffee, and allocating a half hour to making calls, is a good way to start every day.  To defeat the Maine referendum, Sign up at https://saveabsentee.me/how-to-get-involved/  and decide how you want to help the effort.  The perpetrators of the referendum are well funded and relentless in their perverse desire to make voting difficult for YOU.  Don’t let them get away with it.

    Extra credit:

    *You can also dig through your archives or https://isledems.org/actionitems and find Action #8 which we sent in January.  Also Actions # 9, 24, 54, 77, 81, 88, 90.  The SAVE act hasn’t progressed through the Senate.  Instead, the right wingers are focused on state level voter suppression, like the Maine referendum.

    https://roberthubbell.substack.com/p/live-with-robert-b-hubbell-731?utm_source=podcast-email&publication_id=271358&post_id=169313545&utm_campaign=email-play-on-substack&utm_content=watch_now_button&r=2ycvh&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email


    Here are your legislators.  Save this in an accessible place to facilitate your contacting them    .


    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

    Senator Angus King: 
    Email www.king.senate.gov/contact
    DC: (202) 224-5344
    Augusta: (207) 622-8292 

    Representative Jared Golden:
    Email: golden.house.gov/contact
    DC: (202) 225-6306 
    Bangor: (207) 249-7400
    Caribou: (207) 492-6009 
    Lewiston: (207) 241-6767   

    Representative Chellie Pingree:
    Email: https://pingree.house.gov/contact/
    DC: (202) 225-6116
    Portland: (207) 774-5019  
    Waterville: (207) 873-5713  

    Find Your State Senator: Here

    Find your State Representative: 
    By name: Here
    By District: Here

    Bangor Area House Districts

    District 19 – State Representative Richard H. Campbell ( R – Orrington ) View
    District 20 – State Representative Dani L. O’Halloran ( D – Brewer ) View
    District 21 – State Representative Ambureen Rana ( D – Bangor ) View
    District 22 – State Representative Laura D. Supica ( D – Bangor ) View
    District 23 – State Representative Amy J. Roeder ( D – Bangor ) View
    District 24 – State Representative Sean Faircloth ( D – Bangor ) View
    District 25 – State Representative Laurie Osher ( D – Orono ) View
    District 26 – State Representative James F. Dill ( D – Old Town ) View
    District 27 – State Representative Gary A. Drinkwater ( R – Milford ) View

  • Indivisible’s Weekly To Do List – July 14th

    Indivisible’s Weekly To Do List – July 14th

    1. Prepare to march this Thursday at a Good Trouble Lives On Day of Action near you. Each day brings new attacks on our rights as the Trump regime chips away at our democracy. But in the tradition of the late John Lewis, Americans across the country will rise up this Thursday in a mass, nonviolent demonstration for freedom and justice. 
    2. Learn the tools of strategic non-cooperation to fight authoritarianism at our One Million Rising training series beginning this Wednesday. There’s no escaping it; Trump and his enablers are becoming bolder and our slide toward authoritarianism is accelerating. With institutions failing to meet the challenge, it falls to us — the pro-democracy majority — to defeat fascism. Join this training to help lead the fight within your networks and pass on these skills to others. 
    3. Contact state and local Dems to demand action against masked ICE abductions. If you live in a blue city or state with a Democratic trifecta, your Democratic governor, mayor, and lawmakers have the power to stop secret police tactics like abductions by masked ICE agents. Our Blue State Defiance toolkit helps identify who to contact and what to call for.
    4. Join our “Fight Back with Friends” training on Tuesday, July 22 for new tools to help get your friends and family off the sidelines! We all know someone who wants to join our fight but isn’t sure where to start; Fight Back with Friends is a new program designed to break down that barrier. Each call details ways to get your friends involved in specific, impactful tactics to defend our rights, our safety, and our democracy. Tuesday’s will focus on our upcoming One Million Rising campaign (more info below). 
    5. Join our “What’s the Plan?” call on Thursday as Indivisible’s cofounders break down the latest news and take questions from the movement. Every Thursday at 3pm ET (12pm PT), Leah Greenberg and Ezra Levin go live to take questions from Indivisible activists. This week they’ll be joined by a special guest — Professor Erica Chenoweth (the scholar behind the 3.5% rule) — to dig into the strategic logic of our One Million Rising campaign (more info below). 
    6. Check out Truth Brigade tools for pushing back on the regime’s efforts to silence dissent. Americans care deeply about free speech, so enemies of the First Amendment have to justify their attacks on constitutionally-protected speech with lies and fearmongering. This month, our disinformation-fighting Truth Brigade team has some expertly-crafted messaging you can share to help expose these authoritarian tactics.
  • Protect Maine Absentee Voting

    Protect Maine Absentee Voting

    Maine MAGA activists are working hard to suppress voting in our state.

    Fair, secure, and accessible elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. But a referendum question coming to Maine voters in November 2025 takes aim at Maine’s safe and secure voting system, including absentee voting. This referendum would make it harder for people across the state to vote – especially seniors, Mainers with a disability, and Mainers without reliable transportation.

    Your vote matters. Help us to protect Maine’s strong voting tradition and Save Maine Absentee Voting.

    • If this referendum becomes law, you’d no longer be able to pick up or drop off a ballot for your elderly parent who lives in another town.
    • Your disabled neighbor wouldn’t be able to just pick up the phone and request a ballot from their town office – even though they’ve done just that for years.
    • Local town and city clerks wouldn’t be able to check their own drop-off boxes, meaning many would simply opt to not have a drop-off box.
    • People who need to work all day on Election Day – health care workers, direct care workers, delivery drivers – would effectively lose access to absentee voting.

    Learn More at Save Maine Absentee Voting

    Become an Ambassador to Protect Absentee Voting
    This November, a ballot question will ask voters if they want to make big changes to Maine’s elections that attack our voting rights and absentee voting. The Save Maine Absentee Voting campaign, of which the League is a member, is working hard to inform our fellow Mainers about this bad legislation and encourage them to vote no. Want to learn more about the campaign and become an ambassador? There are several upcoming training sessions.

    Register below:
    Wednesday, July 9 at 3 p.m.