Heather Robinson has long been interested in current events, both locally and further afield. This is partially what led her to start the Gorham Scoop Facebook page about two years ago.
In a recent interview, Robinson noted that she has been intensely following the enhanced immigration enforcement policies that the federal government has implemented around the country over the past year.
When Maine news outlets began announcing in mid-January that a local ICE enforcement “surge” was imminent, she decided to start having weekly protest rallies on the sidewalk in front of the Gorham Walgreens. She said participation has been encouraging despite the frigid conditions, and was probably related to the actual ICE enforcement surge, which began Jan. 20 and was named “Operation Catch of the Day.”
She added that there were 13 participants on Jan. 18, then the number grew to over 50 on Jan. 25, then decreased to about 35 on Feb. 1, and 15 on Feb. 8. Besides residents of Gorham, people have also been coming from several nearby towns to take part, such as Buxton and Standish.
Regarding concerns about the use of explicit language on some of the protest signs, Robinson stated that, based on community feedback, she is re-considering the use of strong language (on the signs).
She also emphasized her position that non-threatening protest language is constitutionally protected in most situations. She said she believes many of the protesters are there to express their anger about what they see as ICE agents targeting immigrant communities without just cause, by detaining non-violent working individuals who thought they had some form of legal status.
Robinson said many of the people driving by on Route 25 have given them the “thumbs up,” and most of the comments from people shopping at Walgreens have also been positive. She said she plans to continue having the rallies indefinitely, as she believes the continuing fear of local people being detained by ICE is having a significant negative effect on many local residents, including children missing school, adults missing work, and people generally being afraid to leave their homes.