LD 2007, An Act Regarding the Criminal Jurisdiction of Tribal Courts and to Extend the Time for the Penobscot Nation to Certify Its Agreement to Public Law 2023, Chapter 369, awaits the signature of Gov. Janet Mills after recently passing in the Maine Legislature.

For Maine tribes, legislation of this nature has been a long time coming, as many have continuously expressed discontent with the current Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act. The enactment of LD 2007 would impose the most significant change to the Settlement Act since its passing in 1980. 

Put simply, LD 2007 would give tribal courts the authority to prosecute serious offenses that occur on tribal land and are committed by tribal members. In addition, it would give the Penobscot Nation more time to certify Public Law 2023, Chapter 369, a recent Maine law that allows the tribe to play a greater role in managing its drinking water.

Governor Mills stated her willingness to support this legislation after two previous attempts to increase tribal sovereignty in Maine this year failed to pass. UMaine Associate Professor of English Morgan Talty, an author and citizen of the Penobscot Indian Nation, spoke on the implications of the Settlement Act as originally enacted.

“The Settlement Act, while giving the tribes federal recognition, money and returning to us some inherent sovereignty, was and still remains to this day an act that allows Maine to treat us as they always have: as Natives possessing little to no power in 1980 and before,” said Talty. “The language of the act is so ambiguous, yet when it is specific, it is so for the benefit of the State.”

As written in the Settlement Act, “Indians, Indian nations and tribes and bands of Indians now or hereafter existing or recognized in the State of Maine are and shall be subject to all laws of the State of Maine.” 

Talty explained that, when applied, the Act preempts any federal laws created to benefit Indians and ensures that state has the final authority to determine legislation concerning the “lands owned by or held in trust for Indians or Indian nations, tribes or bands of Indians.” 

Last April, all five chiefs of the Wabanaki Nation gathered before the Maine Legislature for the first time since 2002. Chief Clarissa Sabattis, Chief Rena Newell, Chief Kirk Francis, Chief Edward Peter-Paul and Chief William Nicholas collectively expressed their desire for the inherent sovereignty of the Wabanaki Nation to be recognized, noting that Maine tribes are the only ones in the U.S. without access to federal legislation intended to benefit sovereign Indian tribes across the nation. Talty emphasized his appreciation for the continued efforts of tribal leaders, including those of the Penobscot community, to advocate for the passing of laws aimed at increasing tribal sovereignty in Maine like LD 2007.

“It’s a step in the right direction towards restoring our inherent tribal sovereignty, a sovereignty that predates the formation of the United States but has been taken away, bite by bite,” Talty said. “While we are given back some power, there is much more to do. And the easiest way to get it done is, quite frankly, for Governor Janet Mills to understand that empowering tribal nations does not weaken the state but instead strengthens the democracy of our nation.”

A bill sponsored by the State Representative of District 25 (D-Orono) Laurie Osher was postponed at the end of February amid concerns from Maine House Democrats that there was not enough support to pass it. The bill in question, LD 2130, would ban unauthorized paramilitary activity by groups that are found to be intentionally causing civil disorder.

During the week prior, an initial vote saw the measure passed by just six votes. When the vote took place, 24 representatives were absent, leaving the outcome of a final vote up in the air, as a subsequent one-vote loss would kill the bill altogether.

Osher saw a need for a ban of this nature after known neo-Nazi Christopher Pohlhaus acquired land in Springfield, Maine, in early 2023 with the intent to conduct paramilitary training.

Since Osher’s bill was first introduced, Maine House Republicans have united in opposition to it, citing concerns of potential violations of the First and Second Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

Speaking on the bill, Representative Laurel Libby of Auburn, a Republican, argued, “It asks for firearm instructors to know or assume intent to cause civil (disorder)…It is not our job to manage Maine citizens’ speech. It is our job to protect that right to free speech, whether or not we like what they’re saying.”

In an interview with the Maine Campus, Osher held that such concerns are unfounded. 

“It’s very clear that it’s a misdemeanor to gather and train others for civil disorder. So, the only way that you fall afoul of this law is if you’re gathering and training others for civil disorder,” said Osher. “Most of the Republicans that I have spoken to directly have not read the bill. They’ve only been responding to the misrepresentations of this bill.”

Osher explained her rationale for sponsoring LD 2130, stating, “All states have laws to prevent paramilitary activity. Those laws are mostly a hundred years old, and they were addressing the kind of paramilitary activities that were common one hundred years ago that were causing civil disorder, which was groups organizing and wearing uniforms that looked like military marching in formations with guns. We have two of these laws on the books in Maine.”

“Now, the people who gather and terrorize communities in Maine…they don’t march in formation, and they don’t wear uniforms that look like military uniforms, so they don’t fall under any of our existing laws,” said Osher. “My bill is in because we want to make it clear that those of us who are in Maine don’t think that this is a good place for people to come to do that kind of activity.”

Although the future of this bill remains uncertain, Osher noted that the Maine House of Representatives will hold another vote on it before the current legislative session ends.

To read the full text of LD 2130 – An Act to Prohibit Unauthorized Paramilitary Training or to check the status of this bill, visit https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=2130&snum=131. 

Over four months have passed since the Islamic militant group Hamas carried out an attack on Oct. 7, 2023. With this attack came the official declaration of a war between Hamas and Israel, which has reached a death toll of roughly 30,000 people to date.

An estimated 28,473 of the 30,000 lives lost belong to Palestinians and another 1,400 to Israelis. Included in the death toll are the lives of 88 journalists and over 100 people who were working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

A recent analysis by BBC revealed that over half of all buildings located within the Gaza Strip have been either damaged or destroyed, contributing to the displacement of around 80% of the total population of Gaza.

On Tuesday, Feb. 20, the United States was the only country out of 15 to veto a UN Security Council resolution draft that would call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, with the United Kingdom abstaining. This vote was the third instance in which the U.S. vetoed a resolution draft since the start of the conflict.

For a draft resolution to be adopted, at least nine out of 15 members must vote in the affirmative. In addition, adoption will not occur if any of the five members of the permanent council issue a veto. Along with France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the People’s Republic of China, the United States is recognized as a permanent member.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield cited concerns to the UN over talks to release the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. 

Before the vote took place, Thomas Greenfield explained the United States’ reasoning for opposing the resolution to the council, saying, “Demanding an immediate, unconditional ceasefire without an agreement requiring Hamas to release the hostages will not bring about a durable peace. Instead, it could extend the fighting between Hamas and Israel.”

Algeria created the most recent draft that was voted on and did not include the release of those held hostage in Gaza as part of the terms of an immediate ceasefire. During the council’s discussion, Algeria’s UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama stated, “A vote in favor of this draft resolution is support to the Palestinians’ right to life. Conversely, voting against it implies an endorsement of the brutal violence and collective punishment inflicted upon them.”

Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Ergan argued that an immediate ceasefire would allow Hamas to continue committing acts of terror, ultimately adding to the death toll of both Gazans and Israelis.

Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour countered Ergan’s claim, calling a U.S. veto a form of encouragement for Israel to “continue to get away with murder.”

The Feb. 20 vote came after over 75% of the 193 UN General Assembly made a nonbinding but significant vote in favor of an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. 

As talks between nations continue, the World Health Organization (WHO) is warning the world that Gaza is now a “death zone” as delivering humanitarian aid has become increasingly difficult.

Top U.S. officials, including White House Coordinator for the Middle East Brett McGurk, have recently met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as discussions concerning the creation of a deal that would guarantee the release of all Israeli hostages in Gaza is ongoing.

On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, Orono residents will head to the Town Office on Main Street between the hours of 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to cast their votes for the Annual Municipal Election and the State Presidential Primary. Orono’s municipal and primary elections can now be held in conjunction after a charter amendment was approved by town voters in 2022.

On this day, known as Super Tuesday, 15 states will hold presidential primary elections. A total of 874 out of 2,429 Republican delegates will be up for grabs, and the results will effectively determine whether presidential hopeful Nikki Haley remains a viable candidate against former President Donald Trump, who is a defendant in multiple legal battles at present. Currently, 62 delegates have been allocated to candidates of both parties, and Trump’s 33 delegates lead Haley’s 17.

The Democratic Party does not appear to have a competitive race, which is not uncommon due to President Joe Biden’s status as an incumbent running for re-election.

Regarding Orono’s Annual Municipal Election,  three town council seats and two RSU 26 School Board seats are up for grabs. As only two candidates seeking the available three-year terms on the school board, the University of Maine’s professors Mark Brewer (political science) and Brian McGill (ecology) are likely to succeed in their bids for re-election.

Brewer and McGill are heavily involved in the Orono community through their academic endeavors and volunteering efforts. They are also both parents of past and present RSU 26 students.

The town council race consists of four candidates seeking to fill three open seats for three-year terms. The names on this ballot portion will be Jacob Baker, Robert Laraway, Matthew Powers and Scott Thomas.

If elected, Baker has expressed his goal to strengthen Orono’s partnerships with organizations, including the University of Maine and the Land Trust, and serve as a moderate voice in discussions to create a more sustainable town budget.

Concerning the relationship between Orono and the university, Baker stated, “You have essentially two large entities that operate right across the river from each other: the town of Orono and the university. [There are] a lot of duplicated processes and services that both of these entities provide.” 

Baker mentioned that one of the town council’s goals must be to understand “how can we better collaborate and how can we better work with the university to share some of the cost burden of operating a town and an institution.”

Council candidate Robert Laraway has been on the council for the past two years and has extensive experience advocating for progressive policy in areas including affordable housing and Wabanaki rights at the state level. During Orono’s virtual candidates night on Feb. 1, Laraway identified a few of the town’s main focuses moving forward.

“There are two large priorities looming right now…one is that we are in the process of selecting a new town manager. That’s taking up a lot of the time with the current council, and I’d like to continue making sure that we’re making that decision thoughtfully and inclusively,” said Laraway.

The second priority concerns the comprehensive planning process that will aim to create a “far-reaching vision for the town,” according to Laraway. Council candidate Matthew Powers addressed additional issues facing Orono, including his desire to improve the walkability of Orono and Main Street as a whole. 

“I think one of our biggest issues right now is a lack of housing…it’s hard to get people [and businesses] to come here if there isn’t housing. I do think that as a council we have to be very serious about development here in town and also determine how we might be able to make affordable houses,” said Laraway.

Final candidate Scott Thomas previously served on the council in the 1990s. As a third-generation resident of Orono, Thomas seeks to play a role in tackling a wide variety of issues facing the town, from a soon-to-be lack of funding to declining enrollment at the university. These issues and additional concerns make finding the right town manager and creating an effective, comprehensive plan crucial to Orono’s future success.

David Chase, the volunteer moderator of Orono’s candidates night, wrapped up the event with some words of encouragement to potential voters who want to see real change on the local government level. 

“Democracy only works with participation, and that starts with voting, but it doesn’t end with it…you vote and then continue to participate…if there are things you want to change or be different…you have to bring those to the people that are making those decisions,” Chase said.

Biographies for the candidates in Orono’s Annual Municipal Election can be found at https://orono.org/821/2024-March-Election-Candidate-Bios. 

For those unable to vote in person, absentee ballots are available now and can either be retrieved at the Orono Town Office or requested online at https://apps.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/AbsenteeBallot/index.pl. 

On Friday, Feb. 3, Ashley Clark, assistant general manager of the nearly completed Hotel Ursa, allowed the Maine Campus to take an inside look at the property’s ongoing renovations. After years of planning, Clark says the hotel, named after the bear-themed Ursa Major and Minor constellations, is on track to open in March and has secured hundreds of reservations.

“This is probably one of my favorite projects that I’ve worked on for hotels because it is so unique to be on campus and to have all of that historic value,” Clark said. Ursa’s construction preserved as much of the existing buildings’ historical value as possible, with original floor-to-ceiling windows, wood flooring, staircases, and brick walls located throughout. 

Concerning the hotel’s operational partnership, Clark mentioned, “The hotel management company working with Hotel Usra is Olympia Management. Originally, it was Maine Course Hospitality Group, but they backed out and Olympia took over.” Olympia has over 50 years of experience in hotel management and operation. It boasts a diverse portfolio of properties nationwide, including hotels at other collegiate-level institutions, such as Colby College. 

Located on the University of Maine campus, Hotel Ursa has 95 guest rooms that will be staffed by about 30 employees across its three main buildings: Holmes, Coburn and the newly-constructed Polaris Hall. 

Holmes Hall will house Ursa’s guest amenities, which include a 24-hour market near the front desk, a key-accessible fitness center with a Peloton, a library room with couches and a conference table and a cafe that seats up to 37 guests. The property will offer pet-friendly rooms for an additional $50 fee.

The hotel’s cafe, appropriately named MajorMinor, will be open from 7 to 11 a.m. daily, offering coffee, breakfast sandwiches and bagels for both hotel guests and students and faculty on campus. A continental breakfast will not be offered, but Clark says management plans to eventually offer an evening service with light fare options, along with canned beer and wine, available to guests and other visitors for purchase. 

In terms of parking availability, the hotel currently has 87 spots reserved and plans to work with the university to place overflow parking in the Steam Plant lot when necessary. Clark added that employees will relocate to this location first to ensure maximum convenience for guest parking at Hotel Ursa.

In addition to its ideal location for those visiting campus, Hotel Ursa will act as an internship opportunity for interested students. 

“We are going to partner with the University of Maine and do internships. We’re more than happy to have either full-time or part-time students, but we are also looking outside of the university,” said Clark, noting an abundance of interest in internships from students in business-related fields of study and student organizations.

For those seeking to book a room in advance for the 2024 Graduate and Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies on May 3 and 4, one-night reservations for standard king and queen-sized rooms are currently just over $320 after fees. Clark said this price point is intentionally comparable to other hotels in the area on commencement weekend.   

To learn more about Hotel Ursa’s amenities and/or book your reservation, call  1-(207)-962-1313 or visit https://hotelursa.com/. 

Nearly a month has passed since Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, Maine’s head election official, issued a controversial decision that would effectively disqualify Donald Trump from the state’s GOP primary ballot. Bellows, a Democrat appointed to serve as Maine’s 50th Secretary of State by the Maine Legislature in December of 2020, has continued to face criticism from many within and beyond the state’s borders, along with calls for her removal from office led by the Maine Republican Party.

In issuing her decision, Bellows cited the insurrection clause of the U.S. Constitution found in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars anyone who has been found to have “engaged in insurrection from holding office.” She has also stated that it was her duty under state law to issue a decision on this matter after hearing various challenges from Maine residents concerning Trump’s ballot eligibility.

“The events of Jan. 6, 2021, were unprecedented and tragic. They were an attack not only upon the Capitol and government officials, but also an attack on the rule of law. The evidence here demonstrates that they occurred at the behest of, and with the knowledge and support of, the outgoing President. The U.S. Constitution does not tolerate an assault on the foundations of our government,” the Secretary wrote in her decision. Bellows also concluded that she would suspend her official decision until the Maine Superior Court ruled on any appeal that might be filed in response.

Since the news of Trump’s disqualification from Maine’s ballot was first released, Maine’s Superior Court has issued its intent to defer ruling on the matter. They’re waiting until the U.S. Supreme Court closes its current case with Colorado, the first state to ban the former President from its own ballot in December using a similar legal argument concerning the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Trump’s legal team first appealed Bellows’ initial decision and is now in favor of pausing proceedings until the U.S. Supreme Court determines the constitutionality of disqualifying him from state ballots.

Other states have floated the idea of following in the footsteps of Maine and Colorado. However, no official decisions have been released at this time. On Jan. 22, the Massachusetts State Ballot Law Commission dismissed a challenge that similarly cited the 14th Amendment as a reason to remove Trump. The commission determined that it did not have jurisdiction to rule on the matter. The Supreme Court has scheduled arguments for Colorado’s case (Trump v. Anderson) on Feb. 8. This shortened time frame has led to reports that a decision could be made before Super Tuesday on March 5.

In the most recent news, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court dismissed an appeal by Secretary Bellows on Jan. 25, affirming the Superior Court’s ruling to defer a decision until the Colorado case comes to a close.

The highest court in Maine stated, “The Secretary of State suggests that there is irreparable harm because a delay in certainty about whether Trump’s name should appear on the primary ballot will result in voter confusion. This uncertainty is, however, precisely what guides our decision not to undertake immediate appellate review in this particular case.”

In light of this ruling, Mainers can now expect to wait until the U.S. Supreme Court has heard arguments for the Colorado case and released its decision before learning the fate of Donald Trump’s contested appearance.

Nearly a month has passed since Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, Maine’s head election official, issued a controversial decision that would effectively disqualify Donald Trump from the state’s GOP primary ballot. Bellows, a Democrat appointed to serve as Maine’s 50th Secretary of State by the Maine Legislature in December of 2020, has continued to face criticism from many within and beyond the state’s borders, along with calls for her removal from office led by the Maine Republican Party.

In issuing her decision, Bellows cited the insurrection clause of the U.S. Constitution found in Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars anyone who has been found to have “engaged in insurrection from holding office.” She has also stated that it was her duty under state law to issue a decision on this matter after hearing various challenges from Maine residents concerning Trump’s ballot eligibility.

“The events of Jan. 6, 2021, were unprecedented and tragic. They were an attack not only upon the Capitol and government officials, but also an attack on the rule of law. The evidence here demonstrates that they occurred at the behest of, and with the knowledge and support of, the outgoing President. The U.S. Constitution does not tolerate an assault on the foundations of our government,” the Secretary wrote in her decision. Bellows also concluded that she would suspend her official decision until the Maine Superior Court ruled on any appeal that might be filed in response.

Since the news of Trump’s disqualification from Maine’s ballot was first released, Maine’s Superior Court has issued its intent to defer ruling on the matter. They’re waiting until the U.S. Supreme Court closes its current case with Colorado, the first state to ban the former President from its own ballot in December using a similar legal argument concerning the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Trump’s legal team first appealed Bellows’ initial decision and is now in favor of pausing proceedings until the U.S. Supreme Court determines the constitutionality of disqualifying him from state ballots.

Other states have floated the idea of following in the footsteps of Maine and Colorado. However, no official decisions have been released at this time. On Jan. 22, the Massachusetts State Ballot Law Commission dismissed a challenge that similarly cited the 14th Amendment as a reason to remove Trump. The commission determined that it did not have jurisdiction to rule on the matter. The Supreme Court has scheduled arguments for Colorado’s case (Trump v. Anderson) on Feb. 8. This shortened time frame has led to reports that a decision could be made before Super Tuesday on March 5.

In the most recent news, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court dismissed an appeal by Secretary Bellows on Jan. 25, affirming the Superior Court’s ruling to defer a decision until the Colorado case comes to a close.

The highest court in Maine stated, “The Secretary of State suggests that there is irreparable harm because a delay in certainty about whether Trump’s name should appear on the primary ballot will result in voter confusion. This uncertainty is, however, precisely what guides our decision not to undertake immediate appellate review in this particular case.”

In light of this ruling, Mainers can now expect to wait until the U.S. Supreme Court has heard arguments for the Colorado case and released its decision before learning the fate of Donald Trump’s contested appearance.

The most recent segment of the University of Maine’s 2023 Socialist and Marxist Studies Series welcomed Associate Professor of Sociology Michael Haedicke to present his latest research on Thursday, Nov. 30. He is also the George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions Faculty Fellow.

Thursday’s talk, titled “Place and Case Frames for Climate Adaptation Research,” comes shortly after the release of the Fifth U.S. National Climate Assessment on Nov. 14, 2023. Haedicke described these assessments as “periodic reports that review the state of climate science and outline the current and projected future impacts of climate change within the United States.” 

Raymond Zhong, a climate reporter for The New York Times, summarized the grim outlook of the report soon after it was made available for public viewing, writing, “The food we eat and the roads we drive on. Our health and safety, our cultural heritage, natural environments and economic flourishing. Nearly every cherished aspect of American life is under growing threat from climate change and it is effectively too late to prevent many of the harms from worsening over the next decade.”

Haedicke’s talk also proved timely in the sense that it occurred on the first day of the two-week long 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28), in Dubai. He recognized the timeliness of this event but stated, “It’s not particularly inspiring that the President of this year’s conference (Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum) is also the CEO of the UAE’s largest state-owned petroleum company.” 

In relating these recent and ongoing events to his own research, Haedicke discussed the different approaches to dealing with climate change: mitigation and adaptation. According to Haedicke, while mitigation “refers to actions to alter human activities, mainly the consumption and use of fossil fuel energy sources, which are the primary drivers of climate change,” adaptation instead focuses on “steps that can be taken to reduce negative impacts of climate-related hazards on human welfare and on social institutions.”

A challenge of adaptation, which Haedicke seeks to examine with his current research on efforts to minimize and stabilize coastal land loss in southeastern Louisiana, is that it is impossible to know exactly what will happen in the future in terms of climate change. Louisiana has now implemented a 50-year, $50 billion plan to save its struggling coastline, as projections see the state potentially losing another 715 square miles of land over this same time period. Since 1932, the state has lost approximately 1,900 square miles of its coastline. 

Haedicke explained that Louisiana’s 2023 Coastal Master Plan “involves constructing a series of diversions along the Mississippi River, which are essentially…engineered breaks in the levy that will allow controlled flooding into wetlands so the river can return again to depositing silt in those areas…The intention is that this will replicate natural processes that have sustained land and reduce the extent of land loss in the future.”

Although the science behind these planned measures has not ever been tested, advocates of the project are hopeful that it will effectively work to prevent, limit, and even rebuild some coastal land loss, which “amplifies climate-related hazards in this part of the country.” Haedicke added, “Coastal flooding from hurricanes is worsened when the wetlands that would otherwise buffer the storm surge coming in from the ocean no longer exist.” 

Professor Haedicke plans to continue compiling and analyzing his research on climate adaptation efforts in Louisiana with the intent of eventually releasing it as a book.

To learn more about Louisiana’s climate adaptation efforts and the inspiration behind Professor Haedicke’s ongoing research, visit https://coastal.la.gov/our-plan/2023-coastal-master-plan/.

The Socialist and Marxist Studies Series is co-sponsored by the Maine Peace Action Committee and the Division of Student Life, with support from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Department of Philosophy.

In the aftermath of the devastating Lewiston mass shooting that claimed 18 lives on Oct. 25, 2023, debate concerning the effectiveness of Maine’s gun safety laws has remained at the forefront of public discussion. Gov. Janet Mills has been heavily involved in recent talks on what the state’s legislative response to the tragedy should ultimately look like.

Mills has a mixed history on gun policy reform, as her grade from the National Rifle Association (NRA) has bounced around from an “A” during her time as a state lawmaker in the early 2000s down to an “F” during her gubernatorial campaign in 2018, and back up to a “C” as the 2022 election neared.

After once arguing the need for state legislation to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, Maine’s governor has seemingly shifted away from these positions. Mills has also expressed her opposition to expanding background checks for those seeking to purchase a gun, a measure that proved unsuccessful on the 2016 ballot.

Maine’s current gun laws stem from a “yellow flag” bill that was passed by the legislature and signed into law by Mills in 2019. This law states that an investigation into a firearm owner cannot be instigated by an individual’s concerned family or friends, meaning that this determination can only be made by law enforcement personnel. In addition, it requires a medical professional to perform a mental health evaluation on the individual before a court can be petitioned to confiscate firearms belonging to anyone perceived as a danger to themselves or others.

A “red flag” bill was also up for consideration in 2019 but ultimately lost out to the narrower “yellow flag” proposal. A “red flag” law would enable family or other household members to petition for the removal of firearms from an individual’s possession if they appear to be a threat.

According to News Center Maine, Mills has previously stated that she is not in favor of “red flag” laws because they do not “afford adequate due process protections.” Despite her hesitation to enact stronger gun control laws, Mills has expressed her openness to considering further measures that could aid in preventing another senseless tragedy like the Lewiston shooting. She has even mentioned that she would not take the proposal for a “red flag” bill off the table at this time.

Mills was quoted saying, “There are a lot of ideas out there…I’m willing to listen to all voices.” She plans to continue working with a variety of actors, from those in public health and safety to concerned community members, in order to discuss and consider further action on the matter.

The Maine Legislature previously passed two gun-related bills in 2021 without the Governor’s signature, one that implemented a mandate for the state to track firearm deaths and injuries and another that ensures people who allow gun access to youths without parental permission face repercussions.

Due to the recent events, some public officials serving Maine are taking a new stance in favor of stronger gun laws. U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, a Lewiston native, is one of them. Golden is now calling for a ban on assault weapons, as well as more restrictions on possessing firearms in general.

When the 131st Maine State Legislature reconvenes for its second session in January, the amount of new bills that can be considered will be limited due to the significant load being carried over from the first. One measure set to be discussed in the spring would require all firearms that have been forfeited to law enforcement to be destroyed.

Another would allow citizens to voluntarily put themselves on a list that prohibits said citizens from purchasing a firearm if they feel that they may one day act to harm themselves or others.

Constituents will be anxious to see how Mills and a majority of state lawmakers will act in terms of strengthening gun control laws in the upcoming session and beyond. The possibility of going as far as passing a “red flag” law could prove a difficult feat in a state where gun rights have long been cherished by many and the use of these weapons for self-defense and recreation purposes are valued aspects of local culture.

On Saturday, Nov. 4, members from in and around the University of Maine community gathered on the steps of Fogler Library to stand in solidarity with Palestinians as the Israel-Hamas War rages on. The open mic-style event welcomed all voices and concluded with a march toward the university’s New Balance Field House, with chants of “Free, free Palestine!” ringing out across the campus. 

The rally kicked off with one crowd member asking those present to be mindful of the difference between what individual humans are doing in Israel and Palestine and what their respective governments are doing.

Many attendees expressed dissatisfaction with the responses of Maine’s elected officials in Congress regarding the ongoing conflict. One speaker stated, “I’m so disappointed with our elected officials…There is a huge disconnect between what our constituents are calling for and what our officials are doing.” 

One of the event’s organizers, Brendan Davison, added to this perspective, saying, “We as Americans are complicit in what is going on in Israel and Palestine. I do not want to see my tax dollars going to support war crimes and ethnic cleansing when we have so much going on here. There is so much good that can be done with those tax dollars. We should not use them to commit these horrible atrocities…We should not be sending a single dollar to it.” 

Politicians from Maine were not the only ones facing heavy criticism, with President Biden referred to throughout the rally as “Genocide Joe.” 

 “There are 40 or 50 of us here that all can say the word ‘ceasefire.’ We have yet to hear that come out of his [Biden’s] mouth,” said Jason Tkacs, the Save Gaza Rally’s other lead organizer.  

In between speakers, the crowd erupted into chants of “Ceasefire now!” and “No more money for Israel’s crimes!”

Attendee Khameer Kidia, a global health physician, also shared the poem “We Lived Happily During the War” by Ilya Kaminsky, which refers to the comfort Americans typically experience when others are suffering and being destroyed by war worldwide. 

Jacob Hinz, a Jewish student at UMaine, discussed the importance of learning history and finding independent sources to understand the context and consequences of ongoing conflict. 

“Basically, this genocide is being fueled by a system of capitalism that prioritizes profits over people…People should know about the oil companies getting licensed to drill in the Gaza Strip and that, basically, this whole thing is being fueled so that the big corporations who fund our politicians can get a payday,” said Hinz. 

Hinz added, “The UN and Amnesty International all agree that this is a genocide, and the only countries defending Israel are Western countries with a history of colonialism and white supremacy. The label of terrorist is just used to label resistance forces against the Western empire.”

 When asked what can be done to demonstrate unwavering solidarity, Davison responded, “We all have a role to play, no matter how small it is…In the heart of an empire, we can do a lot to fight against…the ongoing genocide in Palestine by reaching out to our abysmal elected officials and boycotting companies who support the occupation and are engaged in business in Israel. Hitting them in their pocketbooks is one of the ways that hurts them the most.”

Another participant commented, “It is all people and all nations who bear the responsibility of solidarity…This is not about antisemitism, this is about everybody having the right to a decent life and self-determination.” 

Resources provided at the rally included links to uscpr.org/GazaCall and uscpr.org/StopMassacres for those who would like to call on Congress to prioritize de-escalation and humanitarian aid for Gaza.