Weekly Highlights: April 7 – 11

This week at the ACLU of Maine: We sued Trump (again), a recap of last week's Hands Off! events, what's happening in the legislature, and more!

We Sued Trump for Violating the First Amendment with Sanctions against the ICC

On Friday, we filed another lawsuit against President Trump -- this time for silencing human rights advocates. 

 

Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), which would prohibit Americans from sharing information with the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor. We're representing two human rights advocates who have devoted their lives to seeking justice for the victims of atrocities, like the genocide of Myanmar's Rohingya people and sexual violence committed against Afghan women under the Taliban. Now, our clients will face stiff penalties for exercising their First Amendement right to share information about horrific crimes with ICC investigators and prosecutors. 

The president's threats -- which have forced our clients to stop their critical work in Myanmar and Afghanistan -- directly target free speech, and the heart of what the First Amendment protects: truth-telling, advocacy, and holding the powerful accountable. We're suing the Trump administration so our clients can exercise their free speech to continue their incredibly important work. We'll keep you updated on the case as it proceeds. 

Read more about the case here

Thousands of Mainers Send a Clear Message to Washington at Rallies Throughout Maine

Tens of thousands of people in more than 20 towns and cities throughout Maine gathered last Saturday for Hands Off! rallies to send a clear message: “Hands off our services. Hands off our rights. Hands off our communities.”

 

The ACLU of Maine attended the Portland rally, where organizers estimate nearly 4,500 people gathered in opposition to the Trump administration’s unprecedented abuses of power. The event featured several speakers from the community, including Senator Angus King.

Nationally, over 1,200 Hands Off! events were held all across the country, with an estimated 3 million attendees calling for Trump to keep his hands off trans rights, immigrants, free speech, abortion, and our democracy. We have some more community events coming up in May. We'll keep you posted as they're confirmed and you can stay up to date by signing up for email updates and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.

Maine Women's Lobby Hosts Girls' Lobbying Day in Augusta

On Monday, 100 8th grade girls from all across Maine visited the State House for Girls' Lobbying Day, hosted by the Maine Women's Lobby. Our policy fellow, Alicia, discussed LD 396 with the group -- a bill that proposes later high school start times. Alicia outlined the process of how a bill becomes law and how members of the public can engage with the legislative process to make their voices heard. We had a great time meeting these young Maine leaders, and can't wait to see what they do in the future!

 

Relevant Reads

• The Guardian: Trump ICC sanctions order challenged in US court by human rights advocates
• Maine Morning Star: Immigration detention increase reveals expanded federal operations in Maine
• Portland Press Herald: A Maine judge might not release people from jail until state’s top court weighs in