UPDATE: Over 60 residents of Aroostook County gathered in Presque Isle today to protest the recent actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ignited by the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, in Minneapolis earlier this week. The rally, organized by Aroostook Organizers for Change, began shortly after noon outside the office of U.S. Senator Angus King.
Participants voiced their outrage over ICE’s treatment of citizens, with protester Andrew Levesque declaring, “We’re here to say ‘enough.’ We’re here to say ‘stop.’” The rally highlights a growing sentiment against what many describe as ICE’s brutal enforcement tactics.
This protest is part of a nationwide movement, with similar gatherings occurring across the country today, including over 100 attendees in Bangor. Demonstrators in Presque Isle carried signs reading “ICE is Gestapo” and “ICE out of Maine,” reflecting the anger boiling over in communities impacted by ICE policies.
The rally also addressed broader issues tied to the Trump administration’s immigration policies, which many believe foster despair and division. “I think a lot of people are waking up to the fact that ICE is not what it used to be,” stated Mickaela Henninger, co-founder of Aroostook Organizers for Change. “They’re brutal, and they’re using brute force against American citizens and shooting them.”
State Auditor and Democratic candidate for Congress Matt Dunlap joined the protesters, emphasizing the need for accountability within ICE. “They should be accountable as a law enforcement agency,” Dunlap said, criticizing Congress and the administration for failing to hold ICE responsible for their actions.
The emotional commitment of those attending the rally was palpable, as residents lined Academy Street, waving flags and chanting against the federal agency. The protest reflects a growing frustration not just with immigration enforcement, but with what many perceive as systemic injustices impacting their community.
As protests continue to unfold across the nation this weekend, the organizers in Aroostook aim to galvanize support for a more humane approach to immigration enforcement. The rally serves as a reminder of the urgent need for dialogue and reform surrounding ICE operations.
What happens next? Observers will be watching how these protests influence local and national conversations about immigration policy and law enforcement accountability. The voices of Aroostook County are echoing a demand for change that resonates far beyond their borders.
