Swing Left Maine and Swing Left Greater Boston are raising funds to support New Mainers Alliance, an immigrant-led grassroots organization based in Lewiston and focused on voter education, registration and empowerment. Since 2015, founded in response to Gov. LePage’s re-election, New Mainers Alliance has worked to give immigrant communities a political voice. They are committed to electing local, state and federal candidates who back immigrant rights and racial justice and to holding them accountable. They have initiated innovative and effective techniques like hiring immigrant-run taxis to drive voters to early voting.
Our original fundraising goal of $10,000 was aimed at hiring 10 community organizers. New Mainers Alliance has now hired 28 canvassers to work in Lewiston and Portland (4 full time and 24 part time). Conducting outreach in Somali, Arabic, Swahili and French, these organizers are registering new voters, ensuring existing voters are registered correctly, and helping people obtain and understand absentee ballots and to vote early. They are working by phone, through social media and in person with PPE. Our updated goal of $20,000 will support this expanded effort.
Maine People's Alliance has described the unique value of this effort: "Maine People’s Alliance strongly encourages progressives to support the New Mainers Alliance, the only Maine 501c4 organization led by immigrant leaders, advocating for policies and elected officials who support racial justice and progressive causes."
This is an important opportunity to lend a hand to Maine’s vibrant hard-working immigrant communities - hardest hit in the state both by COVID and by racist immigration policies. Please consider a donation of any amount.