This week at the ACLU of Maine: Fight for abortion access at the Maine State House, a new class action complaint against Trump's mass federal firings, 23andMe privacy concerns, and more.
Taking Action to Protect Reproductive Health Care in Maine
This week, we testified against a slew of anti-abortion bills in Augusta, ranging from a blanket abortion ban to more targeted bills that would restrict telehealth and force health care providers to lie to their patients.
Thanks to your engagement, a majority of Maine's leaders support reproductive freedom, plus we're working alongside our coalition partners to stop these bills in their tracks. But we could use your help in urging lawmakers to support bills that would expand abortion access and help fund reproductive health care initiatives:
- LD 163 would expand insurance coverage for contraceptives.
- LD 143 would increase funding for family planning services.
- LD 538 would strengthen privacy protections for health care providers who prescribe medication abortion drugs and face threats from anti-abortion prosecutors in other states.
We've created an action that asks Maine representatives and senators to support these bills and oppose the many bills that would undermine access to abortion and contraception. Although abortion remains legal in Maine, our state is vulnerable to everchanging political winds. Anti-abortion could upend abortion access in the absence of federal protections following the Supreme Court's disastrous ruling in Dobbs. Make your voice heard so Maine lawmakers know the majority of Maine's people want them to protect abortion access.
ACT: TELL MAINE LAWMAKERS TO PROTECT ABORTION
Maine Resident Leads Class Action Against Trump's Mass Firings in Violation of First Amendment
On Tuesday, the ACLU of the District of Columbia filed a class action complaint against Trump's mass firings of federal employees as part of his DEI purge. The lead plaintiff representing this class of employees is Maine resident Mahri Stáinnak.
Stáinnak was terminated from their job at the Office of Personnel Management, which oversees government workers and has no association with DEI programs. They believe they were targeted for previous DEI work, and possibly for their perceived political associations. As ACLU of D.C.'s Scott Michelman noted, "the First Amendment prohibits retaliating against people for their political beliefs or their perceived political beliefs.”
The complaint was filed before the Merit System Protection Board, challenging the targeting of DEI-associated workers as unconstitutional retaliation based on perceived political beliefs in violation of the First Amendment.
Photo credit: Brianna Soukup/Portland Press Herald
ACLU Joins Natural Helpers of Portland
Last Saturday, our executive director Molly Curren Rowles offered a workshop to this year's cohort of "Natural Helpers" in Portland. They discussed the ACLU's work, emerging immigration law issues at the local and national level, and went over Know Your Rights information and materials. Molly says it was inspiring to spend time with such a knowledgeable and dedicated group.
Natural Helpers is a nationwide program designed to bridge the gap between residents and the resources available by identifying, training, and empowering local community members. Launched by Portland's Office of Economic Opportunity in February 2020, the program is a four month fellowship, with eight full-day, immersive sessions focused on introducing a diverse cohort of fellows to a range of community resources and organizations, leadership trainings, and community building opportunities.
Learn more about NATURAL HELPERS
Protect Your 23andMe Data
Data privacy experts across the country this week are calling on people to delete their 23andMe data after the company filed for bankruptcy. 23andMe, a biotechnology company that analyzes DNA using saliva samples, is expected to sell their company. This puts millions of people's genetic data up for grabs to the highest bidder. Even if you did send a sample to 23andMe, samples from family members are still connected to you.
Unlike a stolen credit card or hacked password, you cannot reset your DNA. You can protect yourself and your family by deleting all information stored by 23andMe and asking them to destroy the genetic samples immediately. Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey shared step-by-step instructions on how you can delete your data and have samples destroyed.
Are you still curious about your family history? No worries! You can download the information about your ancestry to keep for yourself before deleting your account.
How to delete 23andMe information
Relevant Reads
- Portland Press Herald: A Maine resident is leading a complaint against the Trump administration over DEI firings
- Portland Press Herald: Hourslong hearing reveals continuing tension over Maine abortion laws
- WAGM: Dozens of federal detainees being held at Maine jail, NH federal prison
- Portland Press Herald: Here is where Maine is challenging the Trump administration in court
- Maine Morning Star: Trump administration turned down for now in use of Alien Enemies Act for deportations
