The Maine Dems unequivocally believe that Black Lives Matter. We recognize that substantial action is necessary to address systemic racism and violence, both here in Maine and across the nation. This page is intended as a guide to resources for community members and allies. If any information on this page is inaccurate, needs updating, or you have any other concerns you want to voice, please email us at info@mainedems.org or fill out this anonymous feedback form.
ACT
Take Action Safely.
If you are participating in protests, remember to wear a mask at all times and do your best to maintain a safe social distancing radius of 6’ around yourself. COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color in Maine and it’s all of our responsibility to help keep all Maine residents safe and healthy.
Protest and Take Action.
This list is actively curated and is being consistently updated. Check back frequently!
Please join us for a lunch and learn session with Abdullahi Ali, executive director of Gateway Community Services. He will be speaking about the services his agency provides to new immigrants.
According to his bio on Amjambo Africa, "Abdullahi Ali fled war-torn Somalia with his family as a young child and spent much of his early life in one of the world’s largest refugee complexes in Dadaab, Kenya before being resettled to Maine in 2009. Now, a decade after arriving in the United States, he is CEO of Gateway Community Services LLC, an organization he founded in 2015, which provides support for children, adolescents, and adults of all ages and countries of origin at three locations in Portland, Lewiston, and Augusta. The organization offers counseling, case management services, Section 28 services, personal care services, and behavioral health home services. Gateway Community Services LLC specializes in the care needed by immigrants.
Mr. Ali founded the organization in part as a result of his experiences in Dadaab. In the camp, he and the approximately 245,000 other refugees cobbling together a living there, benefited from the extensive help given them by individuals and humanitarian organizations. That model – of service to others — stuck with Mr. Ali, and contributed to his decision to start Gateway Community Services as he found his footing in Maine. 'The people who gave didn’t even know me,” says Mr. Ali. “There were schools, health centers – all funded by people who cared even without knowing us, people who gave the little they could.'"
Before you go, learn your rights as a protestor from the ACLU, follow civil disobedience best practices developed by ACT UP NY, and review the DNC’s Organizing Resources.
If you find yourself needing legal assistance, please see this tweet by Tina Neadeau (aka Tina Heat), the Executive Director of the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. They have dozens of criminal defense attorneys who want to help.
Vote.
Read Stacey Abrams: I Know Voting Feels Inadequate Right Now. Maine’s Primary Election is on July 14th, and the General Election is on November 3rd. To learn about your voting rights, visit VoteInMaine.com.
SUPPORT
Buy.
Before your next purchase take a look at this directory of Black-owned businesses, maintained by Black Owned Maine. You can also find Black Owned Maine on Facebook.
You can also check out blackownedeverything.co and register any missing Black-owned businesses there!
Engage.
These are some organizations led by and/or serving BIPOC Maine people. These organizations are not necessarily affiliated with the Maine Democratic Party.
ACLU Maine: Website | Facebook
Black Girl in Maine: Website | Facebook
Capital Area New Mainers Project: Website | Facebook
Empower the Immigrant Woman: Facebook
For Us, By Us Fund: Website | Facebook
Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP): Website | Facebook
Immigrant Welcome Center: Website | Facebook
King Fellows: Facebook
Maine Equal Justice Partners: Website | Facebook
Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services: Website | Facebook
Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition: Website | Facebook | Helpful guide to organizations within MIRC ecosystem.
Maine Initiatives: Website | Facebook
Mano en Mano: Website | Facebook
NAACP Maine: Facebook
New Mainers Alliance: Facebook
New Mainers Public Health Initiative: Website | Facebook
Presente! Maine: Facebook
Racial Equity & Justice: Website | Facebook
Somali Bantu Community Association: Website | Facebook
Wabanaki Health and Wellness: Website | Facebook
Wabanaki Reach: Website | Facebook
AMPLIFY
Statements and Actions from Maine Democrats
Representative Craig Hickman: Video 1 | Video 2
Representative Rachel Talbot Ross: Your Statement of Support is Not Enough
Speaker of the House Sara Gideon: On Twitter
Governor Janet Mills: On Facebook
Representative Chellie Pingree: Press Release: "Pingree Cosponsors Most Significant Federal Police Reform Package in Generations"
Representative Jared Golden: Golden Statement on Recent Protests
Senate President Troy Jackson: On Facebook: "Reflecting on the murder of George Floyd"
Representative Ryan Fecteau: On Twitter
Senator Shenna Bellows: On Facebook
LEARN
Confront.
Why Covid-19 is disproportionately affecting Black mainers.
Is Maine moving too slowly in addressing high COVID-19 infection rate among people of color?
Maine Voices: ‘Being Black ain’t easy’ – but let’s use this moment to make real change
‘My biggest fear with my boys is when they’re out’
Train.
Attend an upcoming training from Emerge Maine on Bystander Interactions (June 24) and De-Escalation Tools (July 8). Email Contact@emergemaine.org for joining details.
Read.
Dig into one of the antiracist reading lists compiled by Ibram X. Kendi, author of How to Be an Antiracist, for The Atlantic and The New York Times, or check out this reading list by the Prince Memorial Library in Cumberland.
Introduce the young people in your life to antiracism with Beautiful Blackbird and this kid-friendly antiracist reading list.
Sit down with the “Me and White Supremacy Workbook”.
Watch and Listen.
Explore the history and contributions of Black Maine people.