Residents clash over immigration, free-speech rules at Bangor council public comment

A lengthy public-comment period at the Bangor City Council meeting featured competing appeals over immigration policy and the scope of allowable speech at public meetings.

Pamela Proucurry read a statement on behalf of Kimberly Boucher of the Maine Multicultural Center urging the council to support measures similar to a state bill (LD 2106) that would restrict ICE access to schools, health-care facilities, day cares and libraries without a judicial warrant. "No one should be fearful of going to school, going to a doctor, or accessing a book at the library," the statement said.

Several speakers asked the council to take a stronger local stance against certain federal immigration enforcement practices. Adam Baker told the council he opposed entering any 287(g)-style agreement with ICE and urged Bangor to lead on protections for residents. Councilor Leonard and others later said they intend to pursue an ordinance related to ICE with stronger enforcement "teeth."

Other speakers voiced the opposite position. Multiple attendees used the public-comment period to urge full cooperation with ICE and criticized the council for what they called suppression of pro-ICE speech; some remarks included inflammatory language that councilors later characterized as unacceptable. A remote speaker who said he had been cut off during a prior meeting argued the city's rules amount to viewpoint discrimination and cited several U.S. Supreme Court and appellate decisions to support his claim; the chair limited his remaining time.

Councilors responded by reiterating meeting rules and by expressing support and condolences for other items on the agenda. Several councilors acknowledged fear among immigrant neighbors and said they would consider ordinance options; others urged civility and adherence to the public-comment rules.

No formal ordinance on ICE was passed at this meeting; several councilors said they would pursue further committee action.