In the wake of last week’s fatal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement shooting in Biddeford, Maine faith leaders gathered in South Portland on Thursday to condemn violence committed by federal agents.
Dr. Abdullahi Ahmed, who is active in the local Muslim community, said, as an immigrant himself who chose to settle here, that Mainers must stand united.
“Despite our differences and our backgrounds, we can come together and build a common future,” he said. “That’s my appeal to the community.”
The Rev. Jarrett Kerbel, with St. John’s Episcopal Church in Bangor, said the multi-faith group is not alone in its anger at the death of 25-year-old Johan Sebastian Duran Guerrero and others killed by ICE.
“They are speaking from the outraged, moral majority of Americans in this country, who do not want masked death squads,” Kerbel said.
Kerbel and other speakers said many of their congregants are stepping up to assist immigrant families with food drop-offs and rides to work.
The event was held in parallel with similar ones in Texas and Florida.
This story appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.