The Democrats of the Kennebunks and Arundel (DKA) is looking to form a “Rapid Response Team” in case of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in their towns, their organizing communications indicate.
The Democratic Town Committee, which covers Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel, made the announcement in their June newsletter, under a header of “VOUNTEERS NEEDED! [sic]”
“Several members of the DKA have begun meeting with a group of folks in Wells regarding the potential creation of a Rapid Response Team in case ICE conducts a raid in our communities,” the newsletter reads.
“We are working with several immigration groups based in Portland for guidance. While we will be looking for volunteers interested in participating in this effort as we move forward, right now we are curious if any of our members currently work or volunteer in the immigration or criminal justice system that could lend some targeted expertise to this effort,” it reads.
DKA also said that they may work with the Wells Democratic Town Committee to form the “Rapid Response Team.”
DKA has led several protests against the Trump administration since he took office in January. The town committee plans to hold a “Stand Out” protest on Saturday, June 14, in conjunction with a nationwide “No Kings Day” protest against President Trump’s planned military parade on that day.
The creation of rapid response teams has become a common tactic of local resistance to immigration enforcement in response to the policies of the Trump administration.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has a “rapid response network” to accompany migrants who may have check-ins with ICE, and advises illegal aliens to not open their doors to ICE agents, not to answer any questions and to ask for a warrant.
Several migrant advocacy groups nationwide have rapid response “hotlines” by which people can report if ICE is conducting enforcement operations in a certain area.
In a statement last month condemning anti-ICE comments by Minnesota Governor and failed Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said that assaults against ICE officers are up over 400 percent from the previous year.
