Earlier this month, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins signed on as the 50th Senate supporter of the SAVE Act, a restrictive voter suppression bill that would make it significantly harder for millions of eligible Americans to register and cast a ballot. Now, the Senate could vote on it as soon as this week. Collins’ support comes…
Stacey Geurin, an outspoken anti-abortion senator representing Maine’s 4th Senate District, is featured in U.S. Sen. Susan Collins recently released campaign launch video. Guerin has used graphic rhetoric about abortion, aligned herself with efforts to roll back reproductive rights, and promoted election conspiracy claims. Collins, who has claimed throughout her career that she is pro-choice,…
On Friday, Sept. 19, the ACLU of Maine sued U.S. Customs and Border Patrol for unlawfully jailing a man without giving him a bond hearing — and won a preliminary victory the same day. The organization has now filed a class action suit to help those in similar circumstances. The man, arrested by local police…
As more Maine communities’ police departments are quietly helping the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CPB) to detain people as part of their aggressive deportation efforts, the ACLU of Maine is pressing for answers. The civil liberties group has filed public records requests to uncover how jails and police departments…
The ACLU of Maine is stepping up to support the University of Maine system, offering guidance on how to protect academic freedom and equal access to education amid new federal pressures. The move comes in response to recent executive orders and public statements from the Trump administration, which have raised serious concerns about free speech…
As Pres. Donald Trump continues his attacks on trans Mainers and other members of the LGBTQ+ community, Maine is still one of the best states for LGBTQ+ equality. Advocates for the community say a key strategy in opposing Trump is taking his orders with a grain of salt. Trump has long used trans rights as…
Within its first two weeks theTrump administration has widespread fear throughout immigrant communities in Maine and across the U.S.. Trump’s recent executive orders on immigration include major deportations, ending the Biden-era “sensitive areas” protections, ending birthright citizenship, and militarization of the US-Mexico Border. In Maine, there have been reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement sightings…
About 30 people, including leaders from Maine’s immigrant community, met with Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and Rep. Mana Abdi (D-Lewiston) last week, to discuss their fears about President-elect Donald Trump’s recent threats of “mass deportations” of immigrants and how Maine’s government plans to respond. Rep. Abdi organized the event in partnership with Maine People’s…
Dozens of protesters, among them faith leaders and people who have experienced homelessness, formed a human chain to stop police from clearing a large encampment near the Casco Bay Bridge on Tuesday morning. They said city officials are criminalizing homelessness by enforcing a city-wide camping ban. “No one wants to be living outside in Portland…
In the face of growing assaults on sexual and reproductive healthcare across the country, a new law aimed at extending access to abortion later in pregnancy and a series of other reforms concerning reproductive rights went into effect on Wednesday. “We celebrate today. The hard work of advocates, faith leaders, patients, medical providers and lawmakers…