Issue 11
Thursday, June 19, 2025
Before we dive in, I wrote about paywalls — those awful pages that come up when you click on an article that links to a website you aren’t subscribed to. You can learn more about them here.
Quote of the week
“Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation.”
The Dark
Let this be your weekly reminder that we’re in this uncharted wilderness together.
ICE — and/or kidnappers claiming to be affiliated with ICE — won’t stop. You’ve seen the videos of masked, unidentifiable thugs arresting elected officials and all signs point to things getting worse before they get better. A few things here in Maine:
The Portland Press Herald broke a story this week that a Cumberland County Jail Officer was taken into ICE custody in April.
No ICE for ME reports that 3,000 people signed a petition to stop coordination between Cumberland County Jail and ICE.
An estimated 100 people attended the Cumberland County Commissioners meeting on Monday to demand that the county stop holding detainees for ICE.
Maine subsidies for affordable housing construction are depleted. The program was successful in completing 900 units and provided funding to a final project in Lewiston. Without additional state funding, Lewiston will be the last project of its kind. This significantly hampers Maine’s goal of adding 84,000 new homes by 2030.
The Light
Yes, good things are happening -- here’s proof!
“No King’s Day” protests took the country by storm on Saturday and are estimated to have broken records for turnout! Particularly noteworthy was the largely peaceful and non-violent nature of the gatherings. From Charleston, South Carolina to San Diego, California, police departments praised protestors for their conduct. This statement from the Charleston PD was great about both thanking protesters and squashing misinformation.
Here in Bethel, an estimated 200 (!!!) people showed up to express their discontent about the authoritarian power grab Trump is trying to pull off across the country.
The Maine legislature voted to rejected discriminatory, anti-trans bills. Oxford County’s own senate Republican — Rick Bennett — voted to support trans kids, while four senate Democrats voted against them. Bennett said “These are Maine kids and they deserve to grow up in a state where they are safe, respected and seen.” If there’s one thing I know, it’s as important to let our elected officials know when we think they’re doing a good job as it is to let them know when we think they’re not. Community is built on these connections. Send a quick note to Senator Bennett: Richard.Bennett@legislature.maine.gov.
At a time when our civil rights are coming into question and lawful residents, and even citizens, of our country are being kidnapped, the Maine legislature is taking action to limit cooperation with federal authorities.
State budget limbo is over.
The Gorman Foundation awarded grants to Bethel area non profits. Foundation CEO Nicole Witherbee said that “As conditions shift at both the state and national levels, many Mainers – and the nonprofits serving them – are facing growing uncertainty and need. At this critical moment, the Foundation is grateful for the tireless work of these organizations and proud to support their efforts to provide people across Maine with access to food, housing, and other essentials.”
Your Maine Action Kit
Revel in the success of the “No King’s Day” protests while staying engaged and ready. Authoritarians don’t quit and
Call! Make a plea to Susan Collins’s better angels and request she oppose Trump’s budget bill. The bill guts programs that Mainers rely on in exchange for tax cuts for the greediest people in America. The bill would also allow corporations and individuals to buy public lands that Americans and tourists rely on for recreation and conservation. Collins has said that she understands the role of Medicaid in the lives of Mainers but has not made her position on the bill clear. Contact Susan Collins here and let her know where you stand.
Go to a Pride event! Celebrate Pride in Bethel next Thursday at The Gem Theater with a full slate of family friendly events starting at 3pm. We took our kids last year and the drag show was an absolute hit! Check out The Kindling calendar for Pride events throughout the month and across the state.
Know folks who aren’t seeing the urgency of our current situation? This short video hits the nail on the head.
Have energy and anxiety to burn? Check out the Action Kit Archive here, for more ideas! Another option? Reply to this email and let us know what issues you want to mobilize around. We are connected with organizations who are looking for people power!
For when it all feels like too much
Political historian and beloved Mainer Heather Cox Richardson launched a video series this week called “Ten Steps to Revolution”. The videos (each between one and three minutes long) outline the journey to American democracy and provide a handbook for these times!
It’s Thursday so The Gemini is open! Stop in with a friend to grab something delicious and then take a walk around town to enjoy this weather.
Read about how Mainers are getting creative about expanding housing in unlikely areas.
Need a bit more to get out of the pit of despair? Check out this post.
Mark your calendar
See an ever evolving list of community events on The Kindling’s calendar here. This week we’re shining the spotlight on Bethel’s family friendly Pride event.
Thursday, June 26, 3pm: Pride at The Gem Theater!
Dive Deeper
Folks have pointed to the way that Trump’s tactics mirror those who perpetrate domestic violence. Learn about DARVO in the context of authoritarianism from one of my favorite political commentators, V Spehar. The cycle of abuse seems particularly relevant this week: after a dismal birthday parade and a day of record breaking peaceful protests, our wannabe authoritarian was eager to demonstrate his power, and did so by flip-flopping on ICE policy, at the same time that unidentified individuals arrested a NYC mayoral candidate.
The brilliant political theorist Masha Gessen talks about one of the most dangerous parts of authoritarianism: normalization and shock exhaustion.
A spark of hope
People pausing for turtles. You might have noticed lots of turtles on the move lately. From “turtle crossing” signs popping up along the roads, to pictures of turtles, and people helping big ole snapping turtles across the road (yes, that was Andrea on 26 the other day; shout out to the stranger in the pickup who stopped on the other side), it’s refreshing to realize people care, about turtles at the very least.
Til next week,
Michelle and The Kindling Crew
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