The administration’s attempt to describe how and why Renee Good was shot by the ICE agent, before any of the evidence had been thoroughly examined, is another demonstration of the corrupt way in which this administration attempts to hide behind lies and deceit. There is a belief that if lies are repeated enough times, eventually people will come to believe the falsehoods as the truth. However, there is no hiding the fact that the killing of a white mother of three is enraging and activating thousands of folks across this nation. 

It enrages me that the Department of Homeland Security contends that ICE agents are focused on keeping Americans safe. Again, this is such a deplorable lie, as recent events in Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, Oregon, Nashville and now in Minneapolis demonstrate. The primary goal of ICE agents, as they hide behind masks, is to create chaos and fear. 

This onslaught by ICE in cities across America is very clearly the militarization of the Department of Homeland Security against all of us. We are all vulnerable. ICE funding needs to be curtailed. With budget negotiations now occurring, it’s time to call our congressional representative and demand that funding be withheld from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. 

ICE may be coming to Portland and other cities in Southern Maine. Each of us may now need to step up in the effort to protect vulnerable children and families. The time for Mainers to protest peacefully against ICE is now.

Rosie Hartzler
Windham