I was inspired by the article in the Dec. 4 paper, “Portland high school students protest ICE in walkout to City Hall.” What a gutsy bunch of students. They are not only courageous, but based on the parts of speeches and comments you quoted, they are also articulate. 

We can honor them by showing that we hear them. By following their example, and showing up to protest ICE — these latter-day Gestapo troops — as they round up and ship off the “undesirables.” As adults, we can use our voices and our influence to lobby our local and state leaders to stand up to ICE. To void contracts that give them access to jails or airports, or permit them to pick up students on their way to school. In short, to cease all cooperation with them anywhere in Maine. 

But we can also demand that our members of the House and Senate take back their constitutional powers and curb the executive’s overreach in deploying these masked marauders. Surely, there are higher priorities to address with the federal budget.

So, hats off to these students for who they are and what they did. They are a ray of hope in an otherwise dark time.  

Arthur Benedict
Peaks Island