A Letter of Reflection and Action

This year has challenged us more than ever before. In January, when Operation Catch of the Day (OCTD) was in our neighborhoods, we supported our community with our Immigrant Defense Hotline and training to safely identify ICE activity. In June, we raised the alarm about rising ICE detentions across Maine and published LighthouseME.org to help visualize how immigration enforcement continues to impact Mainers. Now in July, our neighbors mourn Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero's senseless death and our lost sense of security. Our State continues to weather ICE's aggressive and expanding tactics.

This week has taken a toll on our coalition members, partners, volunteers, and staff. We are grieving but grateful for your dedication and compassion: answering hotline calls, attending vigils, sharing accurate information, offering rides, translating, donating, and simply speaking up. Love, solidarity, and generosity remind us that even in moments of profound grief, we are not alone.

The moment is not over. The loss and grief will never disappear. Martha Karolina, Johan's partner, shared a brave public statement this Thursday, reminding us of Johan's love, support, and dedication to his young family. We will never forget Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero.

The Guerrero family and immigrants across Maine will continue to need our support. Our Hotline has already received reports of detentions in Augusta and Lewiston since the shooting. ICE is moving on as if nothing happened, but we will never forget.

While there is no repair, nor is there yet any accountability, MIRC will continue to stand up, organize, build solidarity, demand answers, and advocate for basic human dignity. The work continues, and so does our commitment to one another. We are proud to stand with you. We are so proud of Maine.

Whether it is a phone call, an hour volunteered, a social media post of accurate information, or a dollar donated, each and every one of us can contribute to this work. We have compiled some of the best ways that you can contribute to making sure all Mainers feel safe, have the resources they need to overcome this difficult time, and have a fair shot at life.