Estamos Unidos!

It was a glorious Wednesday to be in Portland, and not just because of the sunny skies. With hundreds of Mainers taking to the streets to march in support of comprehensive immigration reform, this year’s March and Rally for Immigration Reform couldn’t have gone any better.

After marching down Congress Street, the crowd assembled in the heart of downtown Portland to hear from speakers, musicians, and local activists. We heard immigrants tell stories of uprooted families and detention that lasted for months. We listened to drummers, singers, and poets. Dozens of organizations that helped sponsor the event – including the ACLU of Maine – spoke about the need for solidarity and a fair and inclusive roadmap to citizenship. The ACLU’s own Jill Barkley addressed the crowd as well, telling her personal story about the importance of protecting the rights of same-sex, bi-national couples.

It was an exciting moment for Portland, but we were not alone. Folks from all over the state were on hand, and similar rallies have played out all over the country today. As many of the speakers noted, now is the time for immigration reform. So if you haven’t already contacted your representatives in Congress, now is the time! Follow this link and you can quickly send a message to Maine’s congressional delegation telling them to support comprehensive immigration reform that protects civil liberties.

Here are a few pictures from the event: