“I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate…who is more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice…” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”

As we pause to honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we are facing realities that Dr. King would most certainly recognize: a government that is actively pursuing an authoritarian agenda and using its power to target the most vulnerable people in our communities. They are:

• Terrorizing communities by sending military and paramilitary forces into neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, and homes.
• Using a white nationalist slogans and anthems to recruit for ICE as an emerging paramilitary force with “absolute immunity.” 
• Justifying deadly force against civilians with false characterizations of protestors as “domestic terrorists.” 
• Threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act to justify increasingly authoritarian measures of intimidation, suppression, and control.

While ICE is present here in Maine, public officials are warning of an influx of ICE forces, likely targeting Somali immigrant communities in Portland and Lewiston. Such an escalation is no surprise to the immigrant-led organizations who have been building community defense infrastructures. But it is unnecessary. It is an unwarranted provocation that seeks to terrorize, provoke, and destabilize our communities. We must come together in our networks of solidarity, care, and support to meet this threat.

For those of you asking: What is to be done? Our answer is that now is the time to stand up for what you believe in. Here is what you can do:

• Donate. We are fortunate – here in Maine – to have a strong, robust, and dynamic network of immigrant-led organizations. They are and will be on the front lines. In 2025, we raised and granted over $1,030,000 to support 44 immigrant-led organizations with support from donors like you. Supporting this work is more critical now than ever. Help us support them with your donation today. You can select the Immigrant-Led Organizations Fund from the dropdown of funds to apply your donation to.  

• Volunteer. There are many ways to give. Another important way to show up is to give your time. We are calling on our community to volunteer to be Readers to support the 2026 Immigrant-Led Organizations Fund. This is a way to learn, be inspired, and do your part to support immigrant communities here in Maine. We need you!

• Share this email. Lastly, this is a calling-in moment. It is time for all of us to be organizing our people. Please forward this email to your trusted friends and allies and encourage them to sign-up for our email list at the bottom of our website. This is how we will be sharing opportunities for organizing and activism in the coming weeks and months. 

In solidarity,
Phil Walsh
Executive Director

Photo: The 2025 Immigrant-Led Organizations Fund Grantmaking Retreat. Photo credit: Yoon S. Byun.