Good News from the Resistance : Maine has the oldest and second whitest (Go Vermont!) population in America. So when 400+ asylum-seekers landed in the state this past summer, mostly from the Congo and Angola, many — including Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling — recognized an opportunity. “If we have discovered the magic wand that will bring young families to Portland to help us build the next generation, why would we want to stop that, especially when it costs us so little money?” the mayor said.
Why Maine? No one knows exactly. Some recent arrivals said they’d heard through the grapevine that Portland was a safe, aging city that needed more workers. Others had heard there was a strong safety net.
After making their way by air to Brazil, then by foot and bus through Mexico to the Texas border, what the migrants found in Portland was a welcoming community. When the city set up hundreds of cots in the Portland Expo and school gyms, 1,200 residents volunteered to help. In Cape Elizabeth, there was a Welcome! 4th of July picnic. The Portland City Council voted to allocate $900,000+ of private donations for the new arrivals’ housing and basic needs. Non-profits like the New Mainers Resource Center helped find the migrants more permanent housing in Portland and nearby towns; Prosperity Maine – whose executive director Claude Rwaganje was born in the Congo — provides financial education, “the first step to achieving your American dream.”
Last week, Luc Mpangaje flew from his home in Texas to Portland, to thank members of the First Parish Church for helping him in 2010 when he’d been an asylum seeker fleeing Burundi, where he’d been jailed and beaten by police for his political views. He’d arrived in Portland with $80, speaking no English, without his family. Now a U.S. citizen living in Dallas, and reunited with his wife and 10-year old son Malcolm and 13-year old daughter Yasmine, Mpangaje works as an airport shuttle driver. He’s saving to move his family back to Portland.
“If you do something good for me, you’ll always stay in my heart,” Mpangaje said. “That’s why I keep coming back here – because I feel like I owe something.”
Mainers, listen up! Ditch Susan Collins, and you’ll soon be topping another list: Best State in the U.S.
Yes, there’s even more Good News from the Resistance :
- Know that the Democrats are building armies of 2020 volunteers
- Remember (or learn about) the good ‘ole days of Dan Quayle
- Wish you’d been on this cruise
- Understand why the situation will improve in N. Carolina
- Buy this new Ben & Jerry’s flavor
- Thank Montana for its leadership
- Break bread at this yummy event in Oakland, CA
- Applaud the recent fundraising success of Green Groups
- Be impressed by this simple act of resistance (you can do it, too)
- Take Action: Relax and have a good laugh with Randy Rainbow
WE 
WHAT’S GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES
Building GOTV infrastructure is not sexy enough to make the news – but it’s what we’re going to need to win in 2020. Read the Mobilization News
WE POTATOES
Let’s all go back to a simpler time, when spelling a word incorrectly was the worst a politician could do. Read the Spell Check News
WE THESE CRUISERS
Seizing an opportunity to help is always a good thing. Read The Cruise Ship News
WE THIS GERRYMANDERING RULING
The news coming out of North Carolina this week wasn’t great. But it’s likely to get better. Read the Gerrymandering News
WE BEN & JERRY’S
Did we really need another reason to eat more ice cream? Read the Ice Cream News
WE MONTANA FOR DOING THIS
But why are there so many kids in the foster care system there? Read the Foster Care News
WE FOOD WITH SPICE
This could be a reason to book a flight to Oakland. Read the Foodie News
WE THAT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ARE RAKING IT IN
As the White House assaults the environment, green groups are saying, “ca-ching, ca-ching.” Read the Fundraising Good News
WE PLAYING SWITCHEROO WITH MICHELLE AND PIRO
Such a simple act of resistance can feel so satisfying. Watch the Bookstore Switcheroo
WE TAKING ACTION:
Watch this Randy Rainbow video and treat yourself to a good laugh.
Sign Up. Show Up. Never Give Up.
Originally published at marlafelcher.com by Marla Felcher. Republished with permission.