Progressive activists are planning an anti-ICE rally in Scarborough next week, according to a Facebook post by the Scarborough Democratic Committee and a discussion at a Cumberland County Commissioners’ workshop on Monday evening.
The demonstration is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 4 p.m. at the intersection of U.S. Route 1 and Lincoln Avenue. Organizers say they want to “hold ICE accountable,” but critics argue the rally is part of a broader push to weaken immigration enforcement and undermine local cooperation with federal authorities.
The flyer circulated online called for transparency regarding ICE’s Scarborough facility on Manson Libby Road and voiced support for Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, a vocal opponent of immigration enforcement operations.
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs for Homeland Security, in a statement sent to The Maine Wire, “Our brave men and women of ICE law enforcement are enforcing the laws on the books in Congress. They should go lobby Congress instead of dehumanizing and demonizing our ICE law enforcement who are facing constant doxxing and a 1000% increase in assaults against them.”
Sheriff Kevin Joyce, who oversees the county jail, has told Cumberland County commissioners that his office cannot pick and choose which laws to enforce and will continue to cooperate with federal partners. The county’s contract with ICE and the U.S. Marshals Service brings in nearly $2 million annually, funding that supporters say is vital for maintaining jail operations and public safety.
Conservatives warn that activist demonstrations like the one planned for Scarborough send the wrong message. They argue that federal immigration enforcement is essential for community safety and that county officials should resist political pressure to abandon lawful cooperation with ICE.
