Former state legislator Russell organized protest calling on Sen. Collins to abandon Sen. Sessions. Photo: PBS screen shot
While Senator Susan Collins introduced Jeff Sessions, across the state of Maine, Maine voters descended on her district offices to protest her support of Sessions for Attorney General.
Constituents from each region of the state delivered a signed letter calling on Senator Collins to rescind her support. More than 100 voters showed up in Portland to peacefully show their frustration. The building manager called the police because there were too many people.
“Whether it is women’s rights, minority rights, gay rights or marijuana legalization, Maine has led the way,” said former state representative Diane Russell, who is organizing the statewide protest. “Sessions has been a long-time staunch opponent of Maine values. Make no mistake, if confirmed as AG, his interpretation of the law will harm Maine people here at home.”
Sessions has a long history of views out of the mainstream of American politics. He maintains a 7 percent voting record with the NAACP; a 0 percent voting record with NARAL pro-choice; 7 percent lifetime score with the League of Conservation Voters; and a 0 percent voting record with the American Public Health Association.
“Senator Collins is not only sending a message to people of color, women and members of the LGBT community across this state that the gains we have made in civil rights are now in jeopardy but that the ideology of white supremacy will have strong influence in our country’s justice system,” said Rachel Talbot Ross, President of the Portland branch of the NAACP. “It is deeply troubling that the trust we have worked so hard to establish with our senior senator can so easily be sacrificed. We add our voice to the thousands of Mainers who are calling for Senator Collins to stop campaigning for his confirmation and rescind her endorsement.”
Additionally, he was not confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate in the 1980s because of numerous accusations that he had made racially insensitive remarks. During the campaign when a video surfaced of Donald Trump bragging about sexual assaulting women, Sessions said, “I don’t characterize that as sexual assault. I think that’s a stretch.”
Last week, voters across Maine flooded Collins’ offices with phone calls outraged at her decision to lead the campaign to confirm Sessions.
