Weekly Highlights: March 3 – 7

It was another busy week at the ACLU of Maine – from a major court victory to helping our neighbors know their rights. Catch up on the latest.

Weekly Highlights March 3-7

Want to be a Good Samaritan in Maine? Be Careful What Words You Use.

The Good Samaritan law was designed to save lives – and it has. But Maine's highest court recently ruled that a person's arbitrary word choice during an emergency should mark the difference between prosecution and freedom.

By Michael Kebede

Ambulance (Credit: Lewiston Sun Journal)

Failed War on Drugs Policies Won't Stop the Overdose Crisis, But Harm Reduction Can Save Lives

Research shows extensive benefits from syringe exchange and other harm reduction programs. But misguided efforts to ban common sense care continue.

A hand taking harm reduction supplies for addicts from the middle of 3 bins.

Trump Promises to Militarize Police, Reincarcerate Thousands, and Expand Death Penalty

Our analysis of a potential second Trump administration's proposed criminal legal system policies include unlawful tactics that will only harm our communities.

A graphic featuring Trump and imagery pertaining to the criminal legal system.

A Radical Supreme Court Term In Review: Democracy, Free Speech, and Abortion on the Line

A look back at wins and losses for civil rights and civil liberties during this transformative term.

By Samuel Crankshaw, Carol Garvan, Meagan Sway

Person holding poster reading "house keys not handcuffs" in front of Supreme Court building

Supreme Court Grants Trump, Future Presidents a Blank Check to Break the Law

By granting Donald Trump immunity for a wide range of criminal conduct committed while in office, the Supreme Court has set a dangerous precedent that presidents are above the law.

A picture of Donald Trump.

Solving homelessness demands a human response, not crime and punishment

Home is a refuge, a shelter, a place of safety and belonging. Despite the vulnerability of being unhoused, the Supreme Court has now made life even more dangerous for the 650,000 unhoused Americans and increased the risks for millions more who are living on the edge and housing-insecure.

By Molly Curren Rowles

Person holding sign reading "homelessness ends with a home"

Without Alternative Shelter, Sleeping in Public is a Life-Sustaining Act

No matter the Supreme Court's decision in the Grants Pass case, Portland’s leaders can choose to address the root causes of homelessness.

Person holding poster reading "housing is a human right."

A Growing Crisis: The Right to Counsel Denied in Maine

The current system is failing people with limited resources in all Maine counties, tipping the scales of justice against the people. A person's freedom should never depend on their wealth.

By Carol Garvan, Zachary Heiden, Samuel Crankshaw, Nell Shea

Lady Justice holding the balance scales