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As Thanksgiving approaches, I’m grateful for the courage of Rep. Grayson Lookner and the supporters of his bill to prohibit ICE agents in Maine from wearing identity-concealing masks during interactions with the public.
I’ve watched with horror the news broadcasts and shared videos of ICE raids happening across America. Whenever I see an ICE agent who is hiding his face grab a human being like they are a rag doll, it looks to me like a kidnapping. It’s appalling. I personally believe it’s reasonable and levelheaded to describe masked ICE agents as a secret force that disappears people.
Unfortunately, Rep. Lookner’s bill was not successful, but I haven’t lost hope. Perhaps the same way the majority of politicians in Augusta refused to create a red flag law and it took a successful ballot question to make it pass, our communities may need to find other avenues to vote against ICE agents wearing masks in Maine.
I’d also invite Mainers to take inspiration from the brave people of Chicago who use whistles to warn their neighbors when masked ICE agents are nearby. To me, this kindhearted grass roots action is heroic. I’m not ashamed of this belief or of writing this letter, so I don’t feel the need to hide behind a mask.
Aaron Bergeron
Portland
