A Look Back at Another Successful and Inspiring Scolnik Award Ceremony
On Wednesday, more than 200 supporters joined us to celebrate our 32nd Scolnik Award!
We were proud to present the award to Professor Anna Welch, the founding director of Maine Law's Refugee and Human Rights Clinic. We also honored Beth Ansheles, who is retiring after more than 20 years of dedicated service to the ACLU of Maine.
The reception was an amazing show of community support for Anna, Beth, and the work that pushes forward the civil rights and liberties of Maine people. We're so grateful for everyone who attended and/or supported the event, and we already can't wait for next year.
Rockland Takes Step Toward Local Protections for Due Process in the Face of ICE
On Monday, the Rockland City Council gave preliminary approval to a local ordinance that would prohibit city employees from participating in federal immigration enforcement.
Our policy team helped draft the measure. Rockland is setting an important example of how local communities can defend due process and protect immigrant rights in the face of ICE’s overreach and abuses of power.
Earlier this year, state lawmakers passed LD 1971, a bill limiting state and local police involvement in federal immigration enforcement. It is slated to become law next year unless the governor vetoes it in January.
While we await that decision, the ACLU of Maine is encouraging municipalities across the state to adopt their own protections and reject the president’s cruel mass deportation agenda, which is leading to widespread civil rights violations.
Across the Country, Voters Showed Up to Defend Civil Liberties
Maine wasn't the only state with major Election Day victories this month.
Voters nationwide turned out in record numbers this year to protect fundamental rights and reject attacks on civil liberties. From reproductive freedom to voting rights to LGBTQ+ equality, communities across the country sent a clear message: we will show up to safeguard our freedoms.
A blog post from the national ACLU breaks down some of the key victories across the country (including here in Maine!) and what they mean for the year ahead.
