Hearts of Pine Logo MikeyLopez, Team Captain and Defensive Midfield Player Will be the Keynote Speaker.

Deirdre McClure, Director of Sea Change Chorale

On Thursday, September 17, 2026, the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition will host its third annual Maine Immigration Foru (MIF) event at Halo at the Point on Thompson’s Point.  The event runs from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

The theme of MIF’s third year:  “Persevering in Adversity, Growing the Mutual Aid Movement in Maine,” draws parallels between resistance and resililence, featuring speakers and entertainers whose work and lived experience centers solidarity, community care and sustainable endurance.

MCing the event will be Eisha Khan, program manager at Maine Health and wife of Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain.  Keynote speaker will be Mikey Lopez, team captain and defensive midfield payer for the Portland Hearts of Pine soccer team.

Performances by Sea Change Chorale, a (fantastic) community choir, dedicated to supporting local sociial justice organizations (conducted by Deirdre McClure) and Telling Room ambassadors Sophia Kapita, Didon Heri, Askar Azeez and Ahmednoor Hassan.

The program for the event is: 5:00 pm Networking and Spotlights on Rapid Response Partners; 6:00 pm Dinner Served; 6:30 pm Maine Reception (performances and speakers); and the event concludes at 7:00 pm.

A closing call to action will be delivered by Fatima Saidi, Dorector of We Are All America a the National Partnership for New Americans.

Addiionally, we will showcase groups involved in rapid reponse and fundraising to support MIRC members and partners including Maine Solidarity Fund Project Relief, Mainers for Humane Immigration, Viewshed, Neat Brigade, Resilient Coders, and Red Hat Resistance.

Dinner will be catered by Taj Indian Cuisine, Jaffa Mediterranean Grill and Flores Salvadoran Restaurant