A so-called militia group has announced its formation in Maine to counteract what it calls the “far-left socialist” ICE critics.
“Pine Guard” unveiled its plans Sunday on the social-media platform Reddit, saying it “will not allow to happen in Maine what happened in Minnesota.”
The group also posted its plans on Facebook a day earlier, attracting online endorsements from what appears to be thousands of followers.
The self-described militia cited as its rallying cry its wanting to avoid the “left-wing violence” sweeping the country that it blames on critics of immigration enforcement.
“Everyone has the right to protest but we will not be tolerating violence or obstruction in our state,” the group said.
The organization’s announced formation comes on the heels of reports that ICE agents are planning to move into Maine.
“Democrat mayors and politicians have made it crystal clear that they will allow far-left activists to act with impunity against ICE and immigration enforcement,” Pine Guard said.
“We’ll be contacting anti-ice organizers with a warning,” it added. “Maine will not tolerate lawlessness. Any assaults, property damage, theft, impeding officers or violence towards counter protesters will lead to deployment of the Pine Guard.”
The group said it’s not planning to “physically confront the far-left socialists, but instead to expose them.”
