BREAKING: A federal court blocked Texas from implementing its new congressional map that discriminates against voters of color for the 2026 midterm elections. This ruling reaffirms that voters get to choose our politicians, not the other way around.

THURSDAY: Join us for this week's Great Falls Forum on immigration, featuring our policy director, Michael Kebede! Info + more >> lplonline.org/events/17028/

Earlier this week, Rockland's council took the first step to limit the city’s role in federal immigration enforcement. A final vote is expected on 12/8. Rockland is showing that Maine communities do not have to be complicit in the president's abuses of power and violations of our rights.

We had a great time with over 200 guests celebrating Professor Anna Welch, the 32nd recipient of our Justice Louis Scolnik Award! Read more about Professor Anna Welch's work as the founding director of Maine Law's Refugee and Human Rights Clinic >> ACLUMaine.org/2025ScolnikAward

Join us to celebrate on Wednesday! Tickets, student tickets, and sponsorships are on sale until Monday, Nov. 10, at 11:59pm. Buy your tickets now >> ACLUMaine.org/2025ScolnikAward

Donald Trump promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in US history. Now, ICE and CBP have violated the rights of thousands of immigrants and US citizens. But our communities are not powerless. See how Maine's elected leaders can take action ⤵️

We're so excited to honor Professor Anna Welch with our 32nd Justice Louis Scolnik Award! But you don't have to take our word for it. See what her students and colleagues have to say. Buy tickets to celebrate with us on Wednesday, Nov. 12 >> ACLUMaine.org/2025ScolnikAward

We're celebrating the 32nd Justice Louis Scolnik Award on Weds., Nov. 12! We're thrilled to honor Prof. Anna Welch, founding director of Maine Law's Refugee and Human Rights Clinic. Join us over cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and music. Tickets on sale through 11/10 at ACLUMaine.org/2025ScolnikAward.

VICTORY: Maine voters have overwhelmingly rejected Question 1. It would have upended absentee voting and implemented some of the strictest mandatory voter ID requirements in the nation. By defeating Question 1, Maine voters have maintained access to the ballot box.

There's still time to VOTE NO on Question 1! Polls are open until 8pm, plus you can register to vote at your polling place or municipal office. Find your polling place, see what you need to register, and make a plan to vote >> ACLUMaine.org/Vote

Did you vote with a mail-in/absentee ballot? All ballots must be received by 8pm TODAY. Visit ACLUMaine.org/Vote to track your ballot and make sure it's counted. If you haven't returned your ballot, it's too late to mail it. Take it to a ballot drop box or your municipal office by 8pm.

It's Election Day! Your voice is your power. Make a plan to vote, VOTE NO on Question 1, and spread the word. Visit ACLUMaine.org/Vote to learn more.

Tuesday is Election Day! Make a plan to vote and VOTE NO on Question 1. Visit ACLUMaine.org/Vote to: ✅ Know your rights ✅ Find your polling place ✅ View a sample ballot ✅ Track your mail-in/absentee ballot ✅ Learn more about Question 1

Election Day is Tuesday. Save absentee voting and vote NO on Question 1. It would: ❌ Eliminate ongoing absentee voting for seniors and people with disabilities ❌ Cut early voting ❌ Invalidate tribal and student IDs for voting ❌ Restrict ballot drop boxes Read more + make a plan to vote ⤵️

Are you voting by mail? All absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4. Visit ACLUMaine.org/Vote to track your ballot or find a secure ballot drop box near you. Questions or concerns? Contact the Election Protection Hotline by calling or texting 866-867-8683.

FILED: We're demanding more information after CBP pulled over Hispanic motorists and assaulted a bystander who was legally observing the stop – just as the First Amendment allows.

TODAY: Join the ACLU for Defending Freedom Against Authoritarianism live on YouTube at 5pm. Watch live >> tinyurl.com/47ab8nx6

Houlton officials used surveillance cameras equipped with facial recognition technology to track people and vehicles. This clearly violated state law restricting when state and local governments can use this technology. Only after Houlton residents threatened to sue did the town remove the cameras.

It's been a busy year at the ACLU of Maine! Check out the biggest highlights in the 2025 Annual Report: Freedom is an Act ✅ Reflections from our executive director ✅ The year by the numbers ✅ Highlights from the courts and State House ✅ Original art by Portland-based artist Ryan Adams

MONDAY 10/27: Join us for an update on birthright citizenship. Hear from the legal teams involved in our coalition's lawsuit challenging Trump's illegal executive order restricting birthright citizenship, a blatant violation of the 14th Amendment. Info + registration >> bit.ly/brc-webinar10-27

NEW: Following widespread community backlash, the Wells Police Department has withdrawn from its agreement with ICE. When we show up and speak out, we can win. Thank you to the Wells community for inviting us to support this community-led effort.

NOV. 12: We’re thrilled to bring back our Scolnik Award to recognize leaders from across Maine! This year, we are proud to present the award to Professor Anna Welch, Founding Director of the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic at Maine Law. Come celebrate! Tickets + More: ACLUMaine.org/2025ScolnikAward

Election Day is right around the corner, and Question 1 is on every Maine ballot. It would upend safe and secure absentee voting like this. Vote NO on Question 1 to save absentee voting. Make a plan to vote, track your ballot, and more by visiting ACLUMaine.org/Vote.

Thousands of Mainers showed up to defend democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law – gathering in towns from the southern coast to The County. We had a great time joining in solidarity with Portland and Belfast.

If you're heading out to protest this weekend, know your rights so you can make your voice heard. Learn more at ACLUMaine.org/KnowYourRights

For a limited time only, you can support the ACLU of Maine by supporting local art. Check out these limited edition prints from artists Ryan and Rachel Adams, printed by Paper Tides of Phippsburg, and place your order by October 19. Info + more information >> ACLUMaine.org/PowerToThePeople

When our democracy is under attack, we hit the streets and get loud. There are protests in Maine from York to Presque Isle. You can find the ACLU of Maine at events in Portland and Belfast. Join a No Kings protest near you >> NoKings.org

TUESDAY 10/14: Join us at USM for a discussion on the rule of law, where it came from, why it is foundational to democracy, and how we can defend it. Open remarks from Gov. Mills, followed by a keynote address and a panel discussion featuring the ACLU of Maine's legal director. Learn more ⤵️

The trees in Maine may be slowing down as fall takes hold, but not the work at the ACLU of Maine! ✅ Arguments at the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ✅ ACLU of Maine x Local Artists ✅ Banned Books Week ✅ Preparing for the 2025 Scolnik Award Catch up on the latest ⤵️

The First Amendment protects your right to read what you want, no matter what politicians or school officials say. Maine is not immune to book bans and challenges. Check out our banned books reading list, learn more about the freedom to read, and get involved >> ACLUMaine.org/BannedBooksWeek2025

Early voting is open! There are two statewide referendum questions on all Maine ballots, plus local races in some towns. Visit ACLUMaine.org/Vote to make a plan and make your voice heard.

Do you love local art and civil liberties? You can support both at the same time! Check out these limited edition prints from artists Ryan and Rachel Adams, printed by Paper Tides of Phippsburg, and place your order by October 19. The artists are generously donating proceeds to the ACLU of Maine ⤵️

BREAKING: A federal appeals court has upheld our victory blocking the president's executive order restricting birthright citizenship. The 14th Amendment is clear. If you are born in the U.S., you are a U.S. citizen. Read more ⤵️

Did you know a question will be on your ballot this year that could completely upend absentee voting and restrict early voting? Join the weekend of action on October 4 and 5 to encourage Mainers to vote NO on Question 1. Info + registration >> SaveAbsentee.me/get-involved/

NEW: Our client has been released after CBP unlawfully jailed him for several days. The federal government is systematically violating federal law to jail people without bond hearings. CBP is not allowed to rewrite the law, and the courts agree.

Did you know a question will be on your ballot this year that could completely upend absentee voting and restrict early voting? Join the weekend of action on October 4 and 5 to encourage Mainers to vote NO on Question 1. Sign up for an event near you >> SaveAbsentee.me

“Imagine if you had a police officer analyzing every single frame and writing down detailed information about you, and your car and your movements?” said Michael Kebede, policy director at the ACLU of Maine. “That is not at all contemplated by the law. The law is not catching up.”

TONIGHT: Come see us at Portland Stage for the opening night of Eleanor! This play celebrates Eleanor Roosevelt’s legacy of service work in human rights, women’s rights, and social justice. Plus, ACLU of Maine supporters are invited to use the code Roosevelt15 to receive 15% off tickets. Info ⤵️

The circumstances of the two late night hosts are different, but the message is the same: Censorship has no place on our televisions.

In his first show after being reinstated following his suspension, Jimmy Kimmel greeted the audience with the same opener used by Jack Paar in 1960 when he returned to his show after being censored by his network.

Hundreds of new laws took effect today in Maine! Catch up on all of the details from our work during the 2025 legislative session >> ACLUMaine.org/2025LegislativeReport

FILED: We won an order showing ICE and CBP are likely violating due process rights and federal law by denying bond hearings. Now we've filed a class action alongside other advocates to help people in similar situations.

Are you looking for plans for this beautiful weekend? Come see us in Unity at the Common Ground Country Fair through the end of Sunday!

The federal government is abusing its power to silence Americans – from college students and journalists, to late night TV hosts and media figures. The First Amendment is clear: Government officials cannot use their power to censor free speech. Read more about the latest >> tinyurl.com/5bf3cxk6

We the people won't back down or be intimidated. Join us tomorrow, September 18, for a virtual kickoff call to learn more about the upcoming No Kings protests and hear from movement leaders.

Knowing your rights is a powerful way to keep your community as safe as possible in the face of rapidly changing immigration enforcement practices. We hope our Know Your Rights information can support our school communities so they feel informed, supported, and empowered.

We had a great time with the community last night for a discussion with our national board president about her new book, along with a panel of Maine-based transportation experts. Learn more about "Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality" >> tinyurl.com/3uyftd7y

TUESDAY: Join us at Mechanics' Hall for an evening with our national board president about her new book, feat. a panel of Maine-based experts. In "Dividing Lines," Archer breaks down how highways, roads, and even sidewalks have an active role in shaping inequality in the U.S. Register for free ⤵️

Despite today’s outrageous ruling, we all have the right to go about our daily lives free from racial profiling by the federal government. We will never stop fighting for our civil liberties and our immigrant communities.

The new school year is in full swing! You're voice is your power, so make sure you know your First Amendment rights at school. See our full Back-to-School guide – created alongside @equalitymaine.bsky.social and @gladlaw.bsky.social – to know all your rights ⤵️