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Hundreds Rally In Portland To Protest President Trump's Immigration Policies

Fred Bever
Hundreds of protesters turn out for a rally in Portland Sunday gainst the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Well more than 1,000 people crowded the steps of Portland's City Hall - and the street in front of it -  Saturday afternoon to protest President trump's immigration policies, including family separations at the borders. The energized crowd greeted speakers with signs and chants and calls to action. But there were also moments of heart-wrenching reflection, as speakers considered the hardships immigrant children suffered at the hands of U.S. policies - and border police.

Hamdia Ahmed, a University of Southern Maine student whose family emigrated here from Somalia, said many people come to the U.S. seeking opportunity, freedom, and... safety.

 

"This is what the United State once promised the world. Unfortunately, this administration doesn't understand this or doesn't care. It really hurts me when immigrant children are separated from their parents," she said, breaking down in tears.

 

Other speakers called for renewed efforts to convince Trump supporters to change their views, and help vote him out of office.

A Columbia University graduate, Fred began his journalism career as a print reporter in Vermont, then came to Maine Public in 2001 as its political reporter, as well as serving as a host for a variety of Maine Public Radio and Maine Public Television programs. Fred later went on to become news director for New England Public Radio in Western Massachusetts and worked as a freelancer for National Public Radio and a number of regional public radio stations, including WBUR in Boston and NHPR in New Hampshire.