Action: Friday January 9th

Stop ICE Violence + Call Collins to Take a Stand Against War on Venezuela

9 January 2026

Good Morning Folks, along with the heartbreaking news of ICE lethal violence against our citizens, we had two wins yesterday. The Senate voted 52-47 to advance the War Powers Resolution restricting Trump's ability to wage war on Venezuela without Congressional oversight, and, the House passed the ACA tax credit extension 230 - 196 with 17 Republicans joining all the Democrats.

As our list of action grows, Gmail may shorten the email version. You can ask it to include the whole email, but check to make sure it is not doing this. The web page will always include the entire list of actions!

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NOTE: This is a prototype based on the email; it is still [obviously] a work in progress that needs to be discussed with the author and revised extensively before it can be considered finished. Thanks for your patience while we decide how to present the material. - Don and Emanuel

Top Action to Take Today:

Call Collins and Ask Her to Take a Stand on the War Powers Resolution: Collins did not vote on this resolution. Push Collins to take a stand on this, as she didn't vote!! Indivisible has an action kit on this - for a letter template to send to your Senators and other strategies go here. For a script for calls go here.

If you have done that already - Call Collins, King, Pingree or Golden on Stopping ICE violence: ask them to: call for a full investigation of the murder of Renee' Good and other recent ICE violence, and refuse to fully fund the DHS appropriations budget for ICE. For more details on the call and a script go to 5calls.org.

More Actions Today if You Have the Bandwidth

• Thank Pingree and Golden for their support a "clean extension" of the Affordable Care Act Tax Credits. They will be voting on this tomorrow or Thursday. Today begins the "Stop the Healthcare Heist Emergency Action Week". For a full toolkit on how to support action on this go here. If you have a story about how these health care cuts will affect you directly or someone you know please contact Esther at the MPA. Personal stories matter!
  Contact King and Collins to support the clean House bill to extend the ACA tax credits.
  
  
• Find an anti-war demonstration near you here. Develop an ICE OUT vigil in your area to bring attention to ICE violence.
  
  
• Learn about upcoming legislation in Maine from Abbie Mcmillen’s Action Email 193 which is attached below.
  
  
• Support the Plug-In Solar Bill LD 1730 (An Act to Make Small, Portable, Plug-in Solar Generation Devices Accessible for AllMaine Residents to Address the Energy Affordability Crisis) Hearing was yesterday January 6, 2026 - I believe this was referred to a work session. A message from the The Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network (MUUSAN): A plug-in solar bill has been accepted for a hearing this session. If one of your legislators is on the EUT Committee, please write or call them as well. This bill creates a new category for small plug-in solar generation devices less than or equal to 1,200 watts, eliminates interconnection requirements for these devices, and establishes basic safety requirements. This measure will help bring renewable energy accessibility and affordability to Mainers. Sponsors: Senator Nicole Grohoski Committee: Energy, Utilities & Technology. Here is a list of talking points and more info. (thank you to Indivisible Bangor for this one!)
• Support the Plug-In Solar Bill LD 1730 (An Act to Make Small, Portable, Plug-in Solar Generation Devices Accessible for AllMaine Residents to Address the Energy Affordability Crisis) Hearing was yesterday January 6, 2026 - I believe this was referred to a work session. A message from the The Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network (MUUSAN): A plug-in solar bill has been accepted for a hearing this session. If one of your legislators is on the EUT Committee, please write or call them as well. This bill creates a new category for small plug-in solar generation devices less than or equal to 1,200 watts, eliminates interconnection requirements for these devices, and establishes basic safety requirements. This measure will help bring renewable energy accessibility and affordability to Mainers. Sponsors: Senator Nicole Grohoski Committee: Energy, Utilities & Technology. Here is a list of talking points and more info. (thank you to Indivisible Bangor for this one!)
• Boycott: Being a consumer is one of the greatest powers we have as members of a capitalist economy. There are numerous boycotts going on, some of which we have listed below - ICE related boycotts include: Spotify, Linked In, Pandora, Home Depot, Walmart, Avelo Airlines, CBS News and more. For a complete list of ICE related boycotts go to Icelist. Pick one of these companies to boycott, and stick to it until they stop working with ICE. Your boycott is more powerful if you contact the company to let them know you are boycotting them and why. (To find boycott related items below use the find function on your computer, and put in boycott.)
• Help Protect Trans Youth: Transequality reports that 58 transgender persons have been either murdered or died by suicide since the regime rolled out its cruel rhetoric and anti-trans policies. "Trump is now beginning the process of banning gender-affirming care for transgender youth through a rulemaking process, thus sidestepping Congress and the legislative process entirely.
• The proposed rule, RIN 0938-AV87, would bar any hospital system that participates in Medicaid or Medicare from offering gender-affirming care to transgender youth, regardless of whether that care is paid for with federal funds or privately. The rule must first go through a 60-day public comment period, which ends no later than 5pm on February 17th 2026. During a comment period, rules can be challenged, delayed, and fought, but only if people show up and refuse to let it move forward quietly. You can leave a public comment here. Note that public comments really are public, so if you have a reason to protect your anonymity, do it.” (Thank you to Shelley for this action)
• Force the release of all the Epstein Files. Call or email Pingree or Golden and ask them to support the inherent contempt charges against Attorney General Pam Bondi which House Members Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) are threatening to draft. If passed, inherent contempt charges would allow the House to bypass the courts and force Bondi to either release the files or face personal consequences such as imprisonment. (Go to 5calls.org for more on this action)
• Please consider asking your Maine State Representative and Senator to support LD 1383, a bill to end our complicity in all genocides and the persecution and detention of our neighbors by keeping our state’s investments aligned with our values.
• You can learn all about the campaign in this one page toolkit from theThe Maine Coalition for Peace and Human Rights with easy links to background info on LD 1383 and where folks can write their own letters to reps in just minutes.
• Ask our Senators and Congressional Representatives to demand a resignation or begin impeachment proceedings for Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense. For more information on this go here. The Impeachment bill is H. Res. 935. They should demand his immediate resignation NOW. Articles of Impeachment are on the way for RFK Jr. as well. (Thanks to Dave for this information.)
• Support the right of our troops to disobey illegal orders: Defiance.org, in partnership with WhistleblowerAid.org, has launched Phase One of what it planned to be an ongoing effort to help members of our military obey lawful orders, recognize manifestly illegal ones, and know where to turn to understand the difference. This campaign includes: Geo-targeted public service announcements, online and via social media; Billboards near key U.S. military installations ; Information about confidential, independent support available through Whistleblower Aid.
• Defiance.org has: Downloadable posters that we can distribute in our communities and/or near military hubs - Bases, Recruitment Centers, MEPs, ROTC Units, National Guard + Reserve Centers, etc.;Downloadable wallet cards you can keep on you to share with military members when you cross paths , A downloadable you can use to post about the campaign on social media. (Thanks to Shelly for this post!)

Mutual Aid

ActivateMaine has created a site, SNAP Into Action: "a statewide effort to help those who are affected by the freezing of benefits due to the Government shut down." Even though the Government is "open" now, hunger issues continue for people around the country.

Heating Assistance: If you have friends, neighbors, or need support for Heating Assistance, Li Heap funds have been authorized for Maine, Click here to learn more about applying for LIHEAP assistance. Collins and King were involved in pushing that this money get released after the Government shutdown. Insurance Crisis: If the ACA tax cuts do not go through, tens of thousands of us will have to choose between health care premiums and food or rent. If you have a personal story along these lines please contact Esther at the Maine People’s Alliance who is collecting personal testimony to support the passage of the ACA tax cuts. Call King and Collins to support the House bill just passed on the ACA tax extensions.

Arts and Politics!

Consider boycotting Spotify and canceling your subscription to them: To participate in the boycott of Spotify for their running of ads recruiting for ICE, visit this Indivisible page for more information, and for ready-made materials you can post online and use in other ways to encourage others to cancel their subscriptions, visit this page. According to Indivisible Bangor, Pandora is running the same ICE recruiting adds. Pandora is a subsidiary of SiriusXM. Spotify’s stock has dropped 13% in the past month. For a complete list of ICE related boycotts go to Icelist.

GOT MORE TIME? HERE ARE SOME MORE ACTIONS (just pick one!)

Join the Maine People’s Alliance in bringing your story to our Congresspeople: Are your insurance rates going up? Did you lose SNAP benefits - the MPA wants to hear your story and use it to fight for Mainers in the ongoing shutdown budget battle. Fill out this form and tell your story here. Call or email our Congressional Representatives to publicly condemn the administration’s use of our Military to create havoc in Blue Cities: It is time to publicly denounce these unconstitutional, king-like actions of our Executive branch. Where is the outrage? Go to 5calls.org for a script on this request. From Linda: I testified in support of LD 99 in 2020 and was thrilled that it was passed into law. LD 99 requires MainePERS to divest from all fossil fuel investments. The MainePERS Board was given until December 31, 2025, to comply with this law and has made almost no forward motion. If you would like to sign our petition in support of divesting, it would be appreciated. Consider volunteering and/or donating to one of the worthy immigrant support organizations listed below: Capital Area New Mainers Project, Mainers for Humane Immigration, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, (all Maine based), and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, go here to donate to the Capital Area New Mainers Project. Statewide Actions Check out upcoming Maine legislation in Abbie Mcmillen’s Action 193 email attached below. Support the Plug-In Solar Bill LD 1730 (An Act to Make Small, Portable, Plug-in Solar Generation Devices) Hearing was January 6, 2026, Energy, Utilities & Technology Public Hearing: Here is a list of talking points and more info. Oppose Huge Energy Sucking AI Data Centers in Maine. Lewiston denied an AI Center this past Wednesday, (Thanks to Azalea for this information!) Ask your local Maine Representative and Senator to support LD 1383 “An Act to Require State Divestment from Perpetrators of International Human Rights Violations.” This bill prohibits Maine from investing its funds from any companies, entities, persons or financial institutions that are “associated with” a “perpetrator state". For more details see the attachment below. The Maine Coalition for Peace and Human Rights is responsible for this campaign, see their one page toolkit here, and write a letter to your state legislative representatives. Home Depot Actions: Sign the petition that is demanding that Home Depot stop complying with ICE, personalize this letter to Home Depot corporate headquarters making the same demand, for more actions such as going to your local Home Depot and delivering a letter to the manager go to Ice Out of Home Depot. More ICE resistance: Maine’s ICE Watch Hotline Training: Get trained to field, verify, and document potential community ICE sightings and provide trusted, reliable information on ICE activity to immigrant communities. NO I.C.E. for Maine (noice4me): Learn more about this effort to reign in ICE. Here is the number for the ICE Watch hotline in Maine: 207 544 9989 Mid Maine Indivisible has a great weekly newsletter - To sign up: go here. Indivisible Bangor has a great daily newsletter and actions go here to sign up. If you are in the Mid Coast area consider joining Audacity - learn more here. The Bold Coast Civic Alliance has a newsletter as well as the Hancock County Democrat. Cumberland County Indivisible newsletter go here. Greater Portland Indivisible, go here. We are developing a great ecosystem for resistance communications in Maine. Contact Information The US House goes into session Tuesday, January 6th, and the Senate Monday January 5th. To keep up with their calendars go here for links to both houses. The Maine State Legislature begins action next week. Go here for a day by day rundown of committee meetings etc. You can bookmark these links in your browser Angus King DC (202) 224-5344 Augusta (207) 622-8292, email Susan Collins DC(202) 2242523 Augusta(207) 622-8414 (207) Bangor 207 945-0417 email Chellie Pingree DC (202) 225-6116 Portland (207) 774-5019 Waterville (207) 873-5713, email Jared Golden DC: (202) 225-6306 Bangor: (207) 249-7400 Caribou: (207) 492-6009 Lewiston: (207) 241-6767, email Governor Janet Mills: Augusta: (207) 287-3531, or contact through her website. Maine Speaker of the House, Ryan Fecteau: (207) 287-1300 Maine Senate President, Mattie Dougherty: (207) 287-1500 Secretary of State Shenna Bellows: (207) 626-8400 Contact Here Attorney General Aaron M. Frey: (207) 626-8800 Contact Here Find Your State Senator: By name:Here , By district: Here Find your State Representative: By name: Here , By District: Here New: For Maine State Legislative Calendar day by day go here. For links to US Legislative Calendars go here. Check complete bill listing here. Find the text of any bill here: Instructions for testifying are here: LOCAL ACTIONS: Join Mid Maine Indivisible (Kennebec and Somerset Counties) Please join us if you are in the Mid Maine area. To sign up: go here. ICE is here in Mid Maine: Someone got arrested by Border Patrol at Ming Lee Restaurant in Waterville last Wednesday. I do not have more details, but keep your eyes open for Border Patrol trucks and ICE vehicles and call in the information if you see one to the ICE Hotline at 207 544 9989. Indivisible MidMaine is sponsoring an MLK day event that has limited seating - Indivisible Mid Maine Remembers and Honors Dr. King - Monday January 19th, 1-4 at the Playhouse at Waterville Station (the old RailRoad Square building). The event will include the viewing of a documentary, discussion, and the opportunity to donate winter clothing for folks who need it. To sign up go here, remember, space is limited! Join us and help build the Mid Maine community of resisters. Later that day Waterville’s One Million Rising Group will be meeting to support one another in our activism - whatever form that takes. If you want to join us please email Emanuel or Jeanine. There is a community member who is looking to provide home cleaning services in the Waterville area for $25 an hour. Send an email with subject “Cleaning” to get in contact for scheduling! You would be providing income for a local mother with an infant son to care for. Are you interested in helping New Mainers learn/improve their English? To sign up for English tutoring or any of our other volunteer opportunities, please visit: Capital Area New Mainers Project (CANMP) to fill out a volunteer interest survey. An English Learning option at the Waterville library at 1:00 on Mondays is also an option for volunteers. Contact CANMP for the details. You can also Donate to the Capitol Area New Mainers Project's rapid response fund. CANMP is actively helping those affected by ICE abductions, both with legal funding and other financial support for family members. The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition and partners have organized an ICE watch Hotline in Maine. They need volunteer hotline operators to answer phones from Mainers concerned about ICE sitings. They are looking for folks fluent in one or more of the following: Spanish, French and Portugese. 207-544-9989 First Saturday of Each Month: Somerset Stands Up Rallies 2:30-Margaret Chase Smith Bridge, downtown Skowhegan. Bring your signs, American flags, your voice, your friends, families and neighbors for this peaceful gathering of concerned residents of Somerset County. Sunday, January 11th : 1:00 (and every Sunday): this Sunday ICE OUT FOR GOOD, a vigil/demonstration for the victims of ICE violence, dress in black, black armbands, demand a full investigation of ICE violence! Tuesday, January 13th: 12:00-1:00 (and every Tuesday) Old Location at Tesla Charging Stations at Elm Plaza, Waterville Stand with us to remind the traffic that we need to WAKE UP and start resisting the authoritarian take over of our Government. We have been at this location since Tuesday, Feb. 4th? 2025! Wednesday, January 14th: (and every Wednesday) 12:00-1:00 Waterville, Corner of Main and Chaplin St. Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights, GRR! demonstrates every Wednesday across from Resolve, the local anti-abortion center. Please join us in assuring all Mainers have access to safe, legal, shame-free reproductive health care including abortions and contraceptive care. For more info please contact Elayne Richard at recordconnection@gmail.com Thursday, January 15th: Fairfield Benton Bridge 3-4 pm: Resist the Regime, Impeach the Imposters, Stop the War on Venezuela, SOLIDARITY *Consider supporting Graham Platner. He is an electrifying speaker, with good positions on the important issues. Volunteer here. Go to Mobilize to find the events you can take part in this week. However, Mills is a good alternative to support if she wins the primary in June. We must oust Collins! *If you would like to join Maine People’s Alliance Federal Lobby Group, please contact Jim Parakilas at jamesparakilas@gmail.com. We meet Mondays at 2 pm on Zoom. With great appreciation for all the engagement everywhere! As always, throw a little sand in their gears! Emanuel ps. Please let me know if you don't wish to get these Action Alerts, and please feel free to pass all or parts of these alerts on to others you know. Note my email is changed to emanuel.pariser@gmail.com “What happens to one of us, happens to all of us. And so here we are,” she said. “I felt like I needed to be in a space with other people, to be a part of some sort of healing.” (referring to the ICE-killing of Renee’ Good) Colleen Spillers - resident of Rochester, Minnesota