A Sign at one of the Recent Protests Against ICE Murder of Renee Nicole King, 37, Mother of Three. “This isn’t law-enforcement. It’s a campaign of terror against entire communities,” said Congresswoman Pingree.
In a letter to constituents in Maine’s First District, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D) said that last Friday she traveled to Minnesota with 28 of her Democratic colleages to hear directly from state leaders like Governor Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Frey, local law enforement, and legal advocates. The group of Democrats heard from community members and witnesses, who shared personal accounts of the violent occupation of their neighborhoods and abuses carried out by federal immigrant agents: legal oservers have been pepper-sprayed, jailed and deied access to food and water. People are being pulled over and arrested based solely on their skin color — in clear violatio of the 4th Amendment. US citizens have been harssed, beaten and abducted. One observer — who dared to ask if a group of officers were ICE — was forced to the ground, handcuffed, taken to a federal building and had her wedding ring cut off.
Congresswoman Pingree spent some of her time there asking for advice for what Mainers can do to be prepared if you choose to protest, peacefully: You have the right to remain silent; you may refuse a search; you have the right to speak to a lawyer; remain as calm as possible and do not run away; do not sign a documnet you do not understand, ask to see a warrant signed by a judge with your correct name and address on it and do not open your door unless immigration agents show you a valid warrant; if you witness ICE or CBP activity such as a raid or arrest, you have the right to document it through videos, photos and written documentation. Finally, the Congresswoman recommends that if you are a protestor make an emergency plan with your family, contact a lawyer in advance and memorize at least one emergency phone number.
If you are a resident of the First District and have been impacted by ICE operations and Border Patrol agents in Maine, please contact her office at 207 – 774-5019 for assistance.
On a different note, the Congresswoman said that the statute of limitations for violaltions of federal law is FIVE (5) years. Your photographs, videos and livesteams can be used as evidence in future cases. “So while this Administration may not hold anyone accountable, a future Administration will,” PIngree emphasized.
“I am disgusted that Republicans in Congress — who hold majorities in the House and Senate — have thus far refused to rein in the chaos and teror caused by the Trump Administration’s immigration agenda. I remain committed to using every available tool at my disposal to demand an immediate end to the Administration’s illegal tactics and accountability for those responsible,” said Pingree.
“On Janury 14, I joined more than 80 Democrats in bringing Articles of Impeachment against Kristi Noem Her falsehoods, incompetence and moral faliing undermine the protections she swore to uphold and she needs to be removed from office,” she said. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committe, the Congresswoman is working with her colleagues to restrict funding for ICE and claw back the funding apparoved for the DHS in H.R. 1. She has fought to include provisions in spending bills to limit the duration of future detention facility contracts, prohibit the detention or removal of DACA recipients and prohibit ICE and CBP from conducting raids at sensitive locations, among other measures.
“I am so proud to represent Maine’s lst Congressional District — espeically at such a critical time for our country and the world,” she concluded her letter.