Issue 9

Written By MIchelle Zagardo

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Quote of the Week

“History isn’t something you look back at and say it was inevitable. It happens because people make decisions that are sometimes very impulsive and of the moment, but those moments are cumulative realities.”

- Marsha P. Johnson, trailblazing trans activist and critical figure in the Stonewall Riots of 1969. Visit the Marsha P. Johnson Institute here.

The Dark

This sh*t is heavy. But when we each take responsibility for a small bit of resistance, we lighten the load and make changes that we could never dream of accomplishing alone.

  • ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are making moves and causing chaos. Kristi Noem and DHS accused several counties in Maine (and around the country) of defying federal law by being sanctuary cities. The National Sheriff’s Association responded with a statement that they feel betrayed by DHS, and that “DHS has done a terrible disservice to President Trump”, as if the two are different. They demanded the list be retracted and an apology be issued. In the meantime, Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce (who we met in last week’s issue of The Kindling) said that "we are housing ICE inmates for ICE [in the Portland Jail], so I am not sure how it can be claimed that we are not cooperating.” On Monday, the list of “sanctuary jurisdictions” was no longer available on the DHS website. Meanwhile:

    • Kristi Noem’s Department of Homeland Security is hosting a career expo this week in Virginia to boost ICE recruitment and connect with “candidates interested in a career protecting the Homeland”. 50501Virginia is organizing a rapid response to the recruiting event in Chantilly, VA. Forward the details to folks you know in the DC area.

  • A Bridgton medical center is closing its doors at the end of August, citing low insurance reimbursement rates and difficulty finding qualified providers, as two of the reasons behind the decision.

  • Community paramedicine — or free, in-home, primary care — provided to folks who have been referred by medical professionals is in danger following federal cuts to programming. Paramedicine in Maine has been effective at decreasing expensive hospital stays while also providing care to folks who really need it. This is just one more resource that, if stripped away, would take away access to healthcare for rural Mainers.

  • Fifty million dollars for Maine universities is still in jeopardy of being eliminated by the federal government. It is unclear where things go from here, but pressuring Susan Collins to get her sh*t together is a great start. (And maybe let her know you care about healthcare access for rural Mainers while you’re at it!)

  • The Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center is closing its Preble Street location at the end of June, citing the loss of federal funding as the cause.

The Light

Yes, good things are happening -- here’s proof!

Your Maine Action Kit

  • Make a plan to vote in your local election on Tuesday, June 10! Live in Bethel? We’ve got you covered with a blog post! Live anywhere that votes for the MSAD #44 School Board Members? We’ll be writing in Navy veteran Melinda Swayne for Woodstock School Board. Read a blurb about her in this post.

  • Support Maine’s trans community. The full Maine Legislature will be voting on three proposed anti-trans bills later this month.

    • Email your state representatives here.

    • Sign up for a solidarity shift at the State House in Augusta here.

    • Do you have connections around the state? We caught wind of representatives who are on the fence and we would love help to identify constituents who can reach out directly to these elected officials. Reply to this email and let us know if you can join the effort!

    • Have any questions about these issues? Read about why these bans are unfair, dangerous, and unconstitutional here. Please email us with any lingering questions!

  • Protect our dark skies and preserve stargazing. The Maine Legislature is currently considering LD 1934, An Act to Promote Responsible Outdoor Lighting, which would require the state and towns to lead by example by ensuring that public facilities and projects using public funds follow responsible lighting practices.

    • Bring kids into the conversation with a stunning picture book illustrated by Bethel’s own Mattie Rose Templeton: If You Can See the Dark. Borrow it from the library or order a copy here!

  • Go to a pride event! Celebrate and support folks in Bethel and beyond. Check out The Kindling calendar for Pride events throughout the month and across the state.

  • Love to yap? Sign up to phone bank. Maine People’s Alliance is hosting virtual State Budget Phone Banks on June 12 and 18, 5:00-7:00pm. Learn more here.

  • Engage with local law enforcement if you have the privilege to be able to do so safely. Call your local sheriff. Let them know that you support the statement from the National Sheriff’s Association in response to DHS and that you support their independence from the federal government. We’ve seen that the Trump administration will settle for nothing less than complete control of our institutions, most notably demonstrated by the continued attacks on Columbia University following their total capitulation to the administration’s demands and on the judiciary nationwide. Key points to make to sheriffs in Maine (and around the country) include:

    • the federal government will not simply accept cooperation by police departments with DHS as satisfactory. As with other institutions, the administration will not let up until they have total control. This means that our local police departments will need to become one with ICE through 287(g) at which point they can be effectively mobilized against the people they serve.

    • reminding them that we are paying careful attention to their actions and will hold them accountable. Sheriffs are elected, not appointed, and need our votes to hold office.

  • 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

Mark your calendar

It’s a big weekend for Pride events around Maine! See the lineup (and an ever-evolving list of community events) on The Kindling’s calendar here. Or subscribe to the google calendar directly.

  • Thursday, June 5: Last day for early voting at the Bethel Town Office

  • Tuesday, June 10, 8am-8pm: Bethel Select Board Election at the American Legion on Vernon Street. Don’t miss this!

  • Tuesday, June 10, 8am-8pm: MSAD #44 Budget Validation Referendum and vote for School Board members at polling places in the four school district towns:

    • Bethel: American Legion, Vernon Street

    • Greenwood: Town Office, Gore Road

    • Newry: Town Office, Bear River Road/ Rt. 26

    • Woodstock: Town Office, Monk Avenue

  • Wednesday, June 11: Bethel Budget Approval at Crescent Park School

  • Saturday, June 14: “No Kings Day” protest in Bethel

I’d love to know: what action are you going to take this week? I’ll share out in next week’s newsletter so that everyone knows they’re not alone.

Til next week,

Michelle and The Kindling Crew

Logistical things

  • Subscribe to our newsletter below to get each issue sent directly to your inbox every week.

  • Have news you want highlighted?

  • Have an event you want included on our calendar?

  • Have a resource you want to share with the community?

  • Have ideas I should hear?

  • Want to become a regular contributor to The Kindling?

  • Want to manage The Spark Map?

MIchelle Zagardo
Previous

Issue 10
Next

Issue 8