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Building Our Future
Annual Report | 2018 – 2019
From the Executive Director
Together we are reimagining the promises of our Constitution–to grow and expand its protections to more people than ever before.
Dear friends,
Over the last three years, all of us have been working so hard to defend our country and the ideals embodied in our Constitution. It’s been relentless, and I know that we have all felt tired at times.
But, for the first time in a long time, here in Maine we find ourselves not simply defending against things getting worse, but proactively working to make things better. We live in a state that is seizing on opportunities to expand civil rights and civil liberties. We are working with leaders who are willing to challenge the status quo, who believe in protecting reproductive freedom, expanding health care, fighting racism, and stopping practices that harm LGBTQ people. It’s an amazing feeling!
Don’t get me wrong–we cannot let our guard down. There is still much work to be done at home and around the country. But even as we fight against these injustices, we will mark the victories that expand our rights further and further.
Together we are reimagining the promises of our Constitution–to grow and expand its protections to more people than ever before. Together we are daring to create a more perfect union. And together we are the ACLU of Maine. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Alison Beyea, Executive Director
We’re not waiting for change to happen tomorrow–we’re making it happen today.
In the courts, in the legislature, and on the streets.
Building a Maine for All. This year Maine became the first state in the nation to end the use of indigenous mascots in public schools. We were proud to call for this historic change alongside tribal leaders who have worked for years to stop this harmful practice. Research shows these mascots hurt indigenous kids and teach all students that racial stereotyping is okay. Now Maine is forging a bold new legacy, including statewide recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
And along with our partners, we secured the establishment of a Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Populations in Maine. Though generations of civil rights activism have led to important gains, systemic racism in our schools, legal system and workforce persist, and the poverty rate for Black Mainers is dramatically higher than the national average. The Commission will be tasked with understanding how our existing state policies reinforce economic disparities.
Defending Principles We Believe In. We’re also fighting back against Border Patrol’s attempts to make immigrants feel unwelcome in Maine. As reports of racial profiling on our highways, at bus stations, and in stores escalate, we’ve filed two lawsuits to force Customs and Border Protection to operate more transparently. And we’re providing trainings so people know what their rights are should they find themselves–or witness someone else–being questioned.
Changing the System: Fighting for justice in the criminal legal system.
Stopping the Punishment of Addiction. This year our legal team fought to ensure Mainers with substance use disorder can continue taking their doctor-prescribed medicine while incarcerated. Most Maine jails have banned medication assisted treatment despite the medical consensus that it is a safe and effective way to keep people from relapsing. We argued this denial of care violated the 8th Amendment and the Americans with Disabilities Act. We won, and now our client–a mother from Madawaska–and others like her will get the care they need to stay on track.
Keeping People Out of Jail. In the legislature, we led the charge to create a court date reminder system. One in five pretrial detainees in Maine are in jail because of a missed court date–often because they simply forgot. Now, Maine will create a text message-based court reminder system–just like what you get from your dentist–to keep people out of jail and save Maine valuable resources.
Ending Youth Prisons. We’re also changing the conversation around juvenile justice in Maine. As our lawsuit on behalf of a young boy beaten by guards at Long Creek youth prison continues, we’ve also submitted briefs in a case challenging the state’s policy of locking up kids with severe mental illness. And we’re working with coalition partners and legislators to move Maine away from a prison model toward community-based care for our most vulnerable young people.
Leading the way
Together we’re carrying the beacon of civil rights & civil liberties in Maine and for the nation.
Rebooting Privacy in a Digital Age. In a landmark victory for privacy rights in the digital age, the ACLU of Maine helped pass two bills that give Mainers some of the strongest privacy protections in the country. The first law requires internet service providers (ISPs) that do business in Maine to get customers’ permission before selling their data to a third party. The second requires ISPs that receive state funding to treat all internet content equally, regardless of the source–meaning they can’t decide which sites and applications will load faster or slower. As technology develops and our digital footprint grows, so does the need for greater protections against government and corporate overreach. We stand ready.
The Future of Reproductive Healthcare is Equal. Access to safe and legal abortion care is critical to ensuring all people can make the best decisions for themselves and their families. As many states roll back access, Maine has become a beacon of hope. Lawsuits filed by the ACLU of Maine paved the way for two legislative victories: one new law ends the ban on qualified advanced clinicians providing abortion care, and the other requires most insurance–including MaineCare–to cover abortion. These huge advances ensure more Mainers have access to the care they need, regardless of where they live or how much money they make. No matter what happens at the federal level, we remain committed and ready to defend reproductive freedom for all.
By the Numbers
Together we will continue to fight for a future that is just, inclusive, equal, and welcoming.
We are profoundly grateful to all the members, coalition partners, community leaders, monthly supporters, leadership donors, volunteers, social media activists, and everyone in between whose generosity fuels our work to protect and advance civil liberties. Together we will continue to fight for a future that is just, inclusive, equal, and welcoming.
3000+
Volunteer calls during the legislative session
12,120
Visits to DAFORME.com microsite to learn about Maine's DA races
400
TV, radio, and print stories highlighting our positions
700+
Volunteer hours
Your continued support ensures the ACLU of Maine remains a vibrant and vital organization for future generations.
Support and Revenue
Donations, Grants & Membership: $1,326,858
Bequests: $19,269
National ACLU: $300,000
Total: $1,646,127
Expenses
Programs: $1,209,338
Management & General: $144,966
Fundraising: $161,648
Total Expenses: $1,515,952
Other Changes in Net Assests
Investment & Other Income: $81,855
Realized & Unrealized Gains: ($18,693)
Consolidated audited statement of activities for the ACLU of Maine and the ACLU of Maine Foundation, Fiscal Year 2019 (April 1, 2018 - March 31, 2019)
Board of Directors
Susan Bates, President
Jodi Nofsinger, Vice President
Christopher Branson, Treasurer
Nancy Fannon, Secretary & National Board Representative
Robert E. Talbot, Equity Officer
Sarah Bigney
Daniel N. Crewe
Sally Dobres
Joyce T. Gibson
Robert Kelley
Colleen Khoury
Doug Kimmel
M. Calien Lewis
Susan Peck
Lisa Sockabasin
Krystal Williams
ACLU of Maine Team
Pablo Anaya, Major Gifts Officer
Beth Ansheles, Finance Director
Makena Bauss, Digital Media Strategist
Alison Beyea, Executive Director
Emma Bond, Staff Attorney
Rachel Healy, Communications Director
Zach Heiden, Legal Director
Michael Kebede, Policy Counsel
Ariel Kernis, Deputy Director
Emma Findlen LeBlanc, Senior Researcher
Laura Retherford, Director of Leadership Giving
Joelle Rutembesa, Finance & Development Associate
Margarita Salguero-Macklin, Office Manager
Dhivya Singaram, Engagement Coordinator
Meagan Sway, Policy Counsel
PUBLISHED BY
ACLU of Maine
PO Box 7860
Portland, ME 04112
(207) 774-5444
info@aclumaine.org
www.aclumaine.org
Date
Monday, March 30, 2020 - 11:00am
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To ensure elections proceed and eligible Americans can vote, any federal legislative package addressing the impact of COVID-19 on our elections must include an immediate, substantial infusion of federal funding and federal requirements for no-excuse mail-in absentee voting and early in-person voting. While the coronavirus pandemic should not be a political issue, with presidential primaries and the general election coming up, it could soon directly impact our politics. It is simply not an option for Congress to fail to act on these basic issues to protect American elections while the pandemic is ongoing.
For many, the safest way to vote will be to vote by mail. However, there are approximately 17 states that currently do not allow no-excuse absentee voting by mail. In almost all cases, this absentee voting limitation is codified in state law and in some cases within the states’ constitutions, making it very difficult, if not impossible, to expand the ability to vote by mail in time to help reduce the impact of COVID-19. This is especially true in light of the inability of legislatures to convene at all, given the pandemic.
For example, in Texas it is only possible to vote by mail if you are over 65, disabled, will be out of the United States on Election Day and during the early vote period, or are confined to jail but otherwise still eligible to vote. The language about being disabled is further restrictive — the voter must have “a sickness or physical condition that prevents the voter from appearing at the polling place on election day.” Arguably, this language would permit only individuals actually sick with the coronavirus to vote by mail. All these restrictions are set in Texas law, and given that Texas’ legislature isn’t scheduled to meet in 2020, these laws would be very difficult to modify in time for upcoming elections. During the current pandemic, it is nearly impossible to imagine how the Texas legislature can efficiently and safely convene an emergency legislative session.
For other states, the limitations on absentee voting are set within the state constitutions, making the process for changes even more cumbersome. For example, in Massachusetts, current law only allows voters to cast absentee ballots by mail if they are out of town or unable to get to the polls because of a physical disability or religious restrictions. To change this may require an amendment to the state constitution, which must pass two successive legislatures and be approved by the voters through a ballot initiative — making it an impossible change before the 2020 general election.
Texas and Massachusetts are just two prime examples of why a federal mandate is necessary — to guarantee states can overcome hurdles posed by COVID-19, institute the necessary changes, and do so rapidly. Congress must act swiftly and aggressively so state and local election officials can begin preparing now to address these challenges. And without considerable and immediate funding from Congress — the ACLU has recommended $3 billion — a federal mandate alone will not be enough to achieve no-excuse absentee mail-in voting or an extended early vote period in time for this election. In order to safeguard our health and our democracy, there is no time to wait to save our elections. No one should have to choose between protecting their health and exercising their right to vote.
Date
Monday, March 23, 2020 - 1:30pm
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March 18, 2020
Dear friends,
A lot has changed since this newsletter went to print. We send our deepest wishes that you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy.
While our physical office is temporarily closed, our staff is working hard from home to ensure a response to the novel coronavirus that is both effective and fair. In particular, we are providing guidance to our elected officials and other decisionmakers on how to develop responses that protect the populations most vulnerable to harm during times like these. You can read about these efforts and find other resources on our new webpage, aclumaine.org/covid.
While the legislature has closed, our work on these priority issues continues—and we will pick right back up where we left off when a new session is underway.
On a personal note, I have been reflecting on how fortunate we at the ACLU of Maine are to be able to continue to advocate for our community through these difficult times. We would not be here without your support. Thank you. Together, “we the people” will come out of this stronger than ever.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
With all my gratitude,
Alison
Updates From Augusta
Our efforts to reform the criminal legal system are chugging forward in Augusta, where we’re covering everything from bail reform, to updating our unfair drug laws, to keeping children out of jail. We need your help to get across the finish line!
Take action today – call your legislators today and tell them to vote YES on these pro-civil liberties bills:
LD 1421
People who have not been convicted of a crime and pose no flight risk or threat to public safety do not belong in jail, but are routinely detained because they cannot afford their freedom. One meaningful way to fix this unfair pretrial detention system is to reduce the use of cash bail and replace it with personal recognizance (PR) bail in most cases – which means individuals do not have to pay cash to be released before their trial.
LD 1421 will increase our reliance on PR bail by eliminating the use of cash bail for most people accused of the lowest-level misdemeanors. It will also require a judge or bail commissioner to consider important factors before imposing cash bail that could potentially keep someone in jail, like whether the defendant is a primary caregiver, whether the defendant has health care needs that would be better met in the community than in jail, or whether staying in jail would affect the defendant’s job.
LD 1492
Five decades of unjust and discriminatory drug policies have done irreparable harm to individuals, families, and communities – and have done nothing to reduce drug use. The harsh penalties and collateral consequences of our current drug policies make it harder for individuals and their families to obtain and keep housing, employment and other critical services necessary to thrive.
Because Maine laws don’t reflect how people use drugs, people are incorrectly labeled as traffickers and punished in ways that derail their chances for future security and success. LD 1492 will reduce unnecessary felony charges, so we can change this devastating pattern and stop doing irreparable harm to people and families.
LD 1684
Putting kids in prison does not address the underlying issues which led to their contact with the justice system in the first place. Investing in a community-based continuum of care is far better at equipping people with the skills they need to succeed in life. Yet Maine continues to lock up too many young people, for too long. Everyone – prosecutors, defense attorneys, children’s advocates, mental health professionals – agrees that Maine’s juvenile justice system is broken. LD 1684 will fix some of the biggest problems.
Learn more: aclumaineact.org.
Fighting for Our Kids
By Alison Beyea
For years, we have been working alongside our coalition partners on an issue near and dear to my heart: fixing Maine’s juvenile justice system to better protect our kids. Putting kids in prison does nothing to help them become successful community members and, worse, can actually do real harm.
Recently, many of our concerns were echoed in a report from the Center for Children’s Law and Policy, a national organization hired to do a deep dive into Maine’s system.
Among the Center’s top findings:
“The system still doesn’t work well for many youth and their families, particularly youth with serious behavioral health problems, immigrant youth, African American youth, LGBTQ+ youth, tribal youth, and youth with disabilities.” -Center for Children’s Law and Policy Report
- Most youth detained at Maine’s youth prison, Long Creek, are there because there is nowhere else for them to go, due to a lack of community-based alternatives and long waitlists for programs.
- In some cases, Department of Corrections staff and judges said they detained youth even though detention was not appropriate because there were no other available options.
- Over 70 percent of kids at Long Creek were designated low or moderate risk (vs. high or very high).
- In half of detention cases, youth were held for fewer than three days – suggesting they never posed a threat to public safety.
- Significant numbers of youth are detained longer than 30 days, even though they are designated low or medium risk youth. Youth assessed as low or moderate risk have longer average lengths of stay than “high risk” youth.
I sit on the Maine Juvenile Justice Task Force, which is reviewing the Center report and will make recommendations to the state to fix these urgent problems. I will be pushing my colleagues to make real and significant reforms.
In the meantime, we have an opportunity in the legislature to address some of the most pressing needs of young people in our juvenile justice system now. The ACLU of Maine is supporting two bills to do just that.
LD 1684 would do three important things:
First, it would keep our youngest children out of the system. Right now, children of any age can be treated as criminals. This bill raises the age at which children can be involved in the system to 12.
Second, it would repeal mandatory minimum sentences. Right now, Maine requires that children committed to Long Creek be held for a minimum of one year. This bill ends that requirement so that children won’t languish in prison.
Finally, it would guarantee access to attorneys. Unlike adults, after children are committed to Long Creek they lose access to their court-appointed lawyers. This bill would restore access to that crucial support.
Another bill moving in the legislature, LD 1964, would make it easier for system-involved young people to get the support they need and find success by protecting the privacy of most juvenile criminal records. Too often, criminal records follow young people, stigmatizing them and making it harder for them to grow and thrive.
We support both of these bills because they expand youth rights and help us move toward a society where young people get help and support over punishment and incarceration. Join us in telling legislators to vote YES on LDs 1684 and 1964.
Canvassing for Rights for All
In the lead-up to the presidential election, ACLU affiliates across the country are working hard to make sure that civil liberties are at the forefront of people's minds when they go to the polls.
To learn more about this campaign and read candidates’ answers to the ACLU questionnaire, visit RightsForAll.org.
On February 1, 10 amazing volunteers from Maine hopped on a bus to join other ACLU volunteers for a Day of Action in New Hampshire. The team knocked on doors and spoke to hundreds of potential voters, educating them on candidates’ positions on key civil liberties issues that persist regardless of who is in the White House – from racial justice, to criminal legal reform, to reproductive freedom, to economic justice and beyond.
Save the Date!
We the People
Are What Democracy Looks Like
ACLU of Maine Annual Celebration
Featuring: Sophia Lin Laken, Deputy Director of the ACLU’s National Voting Rights Project
Thursday, September 17, 2020
Stay tuned for more information this spring.
Tickets on sale May 2020.
Date
Wednesday, March 25, 2020 - 2:30pm
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