🔒Maine businesses divided on planned nationwide shutdown to protest ICE

Maine businesses are divided over calls for workplaces and schools nationwide to shut down this Friday to protest immigration raids and killings by federal immigration officials in Minneapolis. Organizers are calling for a day of “no school, no work and no shopping” to force the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) out of American cities. In Maine, protests are planned in Portland, Gorham and Kittery, according to the national campaign website. The actions follow last Friday's protests in Minneapolis, where hundreds of businesses and schools stayed closed and thousands flooded the streets to rally against the crackdown. In Maine, where ICE agents have made dozens of arrests via “Operation Catch of the Day,” some businesses plan to stay closed Friday, while others are taking a different tack. “These are truly unprecedented times, and we are horrified at what has been happening,” Colleen Young, operations manager at Portland pet-supply retailer Fish & Bone, told Mainebiz on Wednesday. “While we aren’t sure yet what our plan is for Friday, we will definitely be considering it,” added Young, whose establishment has "ICE not welcome here" signage on its windows.

Bernstein Shur, a large Portland-based law firm that recently launched a health-care focused immigration practice, plans to keep its doors open while giving employees the option to protest. "Lawful protest is an important part of a healthy democracy and is protected by the US Constitution as a fundamental political freedom," said CEO Kaveri Subbarao Nauhaus "We believe that we have an obligation to our clients to stand with them when they need us, and for a lot of people, there’s no option to put things on hold on Friday," she told Mainebiz. "Whether we’re representing an asylum seeker in an immigration case, standing before a judge or jury in a trial, or otherwise advocating for our clients, we will show up for them on Friday."

'Every dollar counts'

As protest organizers use social media to publicize the planned shutdown, some Maine businesses have begun posting messages about their plans. “As a small business in rural Maine, we are aware of how privileged our situation is, and how small our voice can be when speaking out against atrocities in our country that sadden, anger and terrify us,” posted Toddy Pond Farm, a family farm and restaurant in the Waldo County town of Monroe. “We recognize that for us to close on a Friday in January is not a huge financial loss when compared to the rest of our busy season, but it does come at a time of year where every dollar counts,” it continued. “We hope you will join us in solidarity as we stand up for what we believe is right, as we take a stand against tyranny and stand up for each other, for humanity.” The post garnered more than 250 likes in 20 hours but turned off public comments.

Stores staying closed

Arcana, a Portland business that describes itself as a “healing arts studio and metaphysical shop,” said it will close Friday in solidarity with what it describes as a well-organized national strike different from previous actions. “One day of profit is not as important as this historically very effective non-violent action,” it said on Facebook. Nash & Co., a new arts and crafts general store at 417 Congress St. in downtown Portland, plans to go dark for the day, with sales continuing online. The retailer plans to donate 30% of gift cards sold online to Project Relief Maine “in support of the vital work they do every day to provide resources and advocacy for our neighbors who need it most." “Show up for one another,” the company urged its Facebook followers. “Lift up your neighbors. We are stronger together. Please take care and be safe out there."

Other employers

Taking a different approach, South Portland’s Verbena cafe said that “after much discussion,” it has decided to stay open on Friday and donate 75% of net profits to the Maine Immigrant Rights' Coalition. "We are incredibly grateful for the support shown by businesses like Verbena cafe so far. It means a lot to the community we serve," Mufalo Chitam, executive director of the Portland-based nonprofit, told Mainebiz. She also said that her organization has been fielding many questions from businesses through a hotline regarding how to keep their employees safe, and how they can support the group's efforts. "Some businesses have reached and are considering donating a portion of their proceeds and or making a direct contribution to support our immediate operational needs related to the current crisis response," added Chitam, who was honored as a Mainebiz Woman to Watch in 2022. A spokeswoman for the University of New England, which has campuses in Biddeford and Portland, said in a statement emailed to Mainebiz that the institution “will not be participating in Friday's national shutdown as an institution.” John Lewis, executive director of the Manufacturers Association of Maine, said the group "doesn't have a formal position on the national shutdown protest, nor are we aware of any members planning to shut down operations."

Chambers speak out

Employees staying home from work isn't limited to a one-day protest, as noted by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, joined by the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, in a Jan. 28 letter to Maine's congressional delegation. "Our employers are increasingly reporting that authorized workers are staying home from work, as it has been widely reported that ICE enforcement includes not only individuals with extensive criminal records, but also individuals who believe they are legally authorized to work and reside in the United States," they write. "As you know, Maine's labor market is among the tightest in the country," the letter continues. "Businesses across nearly every sector — from essential services to restaurants — are already triaging operations simply to remain open. This situation is not sustainable for many businesses." The groups are using lawmakers to review and set clear limits on aggressive ICE enforcement actions involving individuals without criminal records and take measures to address a "broken immigration system." In a statement emailed to Mainebiz, Patrick Woodcock, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, said the group "will always support a business’s decisions regarding operations and closure, and their rights to express themselves on political issues." He also said the chamber  "will continue to work to support pragmatic immigration policies and support the successful integration of new Mainers into our workforce.” On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced that ICE had "ceased enhanced operations" in Maine but offered no details. She pledged to work with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem "to end illegal immigration, drug smuggling and other transnational criminal activity." In a separate statement, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine 1st District, said her office could not independently confirm a claim by the Department of Homeland Security that it has ended "Operation Catch of the Day" in Maine.

Essential services

Citing the urgency of its work, Maine Needs — a nonprofit based near Portland International Jetport providing clothing and essentials to families in need — said it will remain open on Friday, with volunteers and providers continuing distribution. Using its 24,000 Facebook followers to "spread the word and invite others to participate" in Friday's action, the group said that "this shutdown is an opportunity to have our collective voice heard and demonstrate that we value one another and stand with those we share community with."