Maine municipalities review police funding, tackle systemic racism after protests

Calls to defund police draw various responses from city and town officials across the state.

Portland schools respond to allegations of harassment, racism involving faculty and staff

The district outlines complaint procedures and says it will investigate, after a former student gathered responses from students and alumni.

Anti-racism protest that got violent caught Portland police unprepared, City Council told

The city releases a 4-page report on its response to the demonstration of June 1, which police now say drew about 2,500 protesters and put the department ‘in a crisis mode.’

The Abyssinian and the struggle to save Black history in Maine

Leonard Cummings has led the effort to restore the Abyssinian Meeting House in Portland for 25 years; now he hopes that people show Black Lives Matter by helping to complete the project.

Hundreds gather and march in Portland to mark Juneteenth celebration of emancipation

Juneteenth commemorates the day that the last slaves still living in bondage in the United States learned they were free.

One Longfellow Square makes appeal for support

Mainers plan Juneteenth celebrations of emancipation from slavery

Recent events have infused the African American holiday with renewed purpose and fresh awareness.

Black people more likely than white people to face arrest, use of force by Portland police

Although black people make up about 7-8% of the city's population, they have accounted for 17-23% of the arrests in the city in recent years, according to data released by the police department Friday.

Driver from Biddeford rams police car, 3 other vehicles, Portland police say

The confrontation happened on Brighton Avenue after officers in an unmarked car tried to pull the woman over, according to police.

Police say they intercepted armed counterprotesters in Portland last week

The disclosure comes after a resident questions why officers were stationed on rooftops during last week's protests and a police official says they were there to protect demonstrators.