問題：

Given the rise in antisemitism in Maine, what steps would you take as a Portland city Councilor to prevent and respond to occurrences of antisemitism in the Portland area?

Responses:

迪翁少校：

I think the Council should respond with our collective voice, to publicly any condemn, any incidences of antisemitic behavior.

We should insure that out police personnel respond as quickly as possible to complaints of hate speech or conduct directed against our Jewish friends and neighbors.

我們還應該鼓勵市教育委員會審查其目前的多元化課程，以評估其在教導學生反猶太主義的存在和後果方面的學習目標。

Finally, timely meetings between members of the City Council and Jewish community leaders would help foster and strengthen our mutual interest in keeping Portland a welcoming City for everyone.

全員：

Pious Ali, Councilor, At-Large

---回覆郵件要求電話溝通；溝通正在安排中，但未能趕在我們的截止日期前進行；我們已向議員阿里明確表示，我們希望他提供書面聲明以便與社區分享，但他並未發送聲明。

April Fournier, Councilor, At-Large

Thank you for reaching out to connect. I am currently traveling for work until Wednesday, I apologize I won't have a statement prepared for your requested deadline of tomorrow. I would like to share an introduction and would be happy to meet you with you after the election. 

As you know, I am currently a member of the city council in Portland. I am serving my second term, having been re-elected last fall. I am Diné or a citizen of the Navajo Nation, but have lived in Maine for most of my life. I currently live in the North Deering neighborhood with my husband, 3 out of 4 children and 2 dogs. I am the chair of the Health and Human Services & Public Safety Committee as well as a member of the Finance Committee. 

我的工作單位是原住民組織者聯盟（Native Organizers Alliance），這是一個全國性的原住民組織，致力於代表全國各地的原住民社區並與之合作，動員和賦能他們參與各種倡議、行動呼籲或政策倡導。我是高級培訓和選民參與策略師，目前專注於我們的研究員計畫。該計畫已在12個州部署了超過160名原住民組織者，動員他們各自的社區參與投票。由於我們社群長期以來面臨著不成比例的障礙，我們需要付出巨大的努力來建立組織架構、提供支援和資源，才能讓投票這樣看似簡單的事情變得異常艱難。這在很大程度上解釋了我自7月以來一直在外奔波的原因。現在我們即將進入最後階段，我可能會在11月下旬有更多時間安排會面。

為了簡要回答您提出的問題，身為有色人種女性，同時也是現任民選官員，自2020年宣布參選以來，我一直遭受仇恨言論、種族主義、死亡威脅和恐嚇。我在市議會的工作是為我們所有人創造更多發聲的空間，並加強對社區內任何群體遭受暴力、恐嚇或傷害事件的回應和行動的問責。為了採取更具體的行動，我計劃在即將到來的市議會年度繼續與我們的JDEI辦公室（希望屆時能有一位常任主任）以及警察部門合作，探討如何應對日益增多的歧視事件。我們絕不容忍任何針對社區內任何群體的歧視或暴力行為，包括反猶太主義、種族主義、反LGBTQ、反移民、反無家可歸者或其他任何邊緣化群體。我很樂意與您進一步探討這個問題，也期待在會面時聽取您的意見。

Be well and I look forward to connecting.

Ahéheé (thank you)

Roberto Rodriguez, Councilor, At-Large

---no response

Jess Falero, Candidate, Council At-Large

I’m not sure about a specific policy proposal and I don’t have any desire to lie and say that I do. But on the face of the question, I would strongly condemn any and all antisemitism in our city. 

本·格蘭特，市議員候選人（不分區）。

感謝您的提問。我了解到不久前，波特蘭的猶太社區和穆斯林社區曾在猶太社區聯盟中心共進晚餐。我們應該繼續促進這些重要的社群對話，同時制定明確的指導方針和預期，以便就反猶太主義、仇恨和種族滅絕等議題展開討論。身為市議員，我提議與市長、市司法、公平、多元化和包容部門的工作人員、猶太社區聯盟、和平種子組織、穆斯林社區成員以及緬因州大屠殺和人權中心攜手合作，舉辦旨在彌合分歧的社區對話。透過在有組織的場所聚集人們，我們可以開啟社區的療癒進程，找到共同點，攜手共進。

最後，我可以肯定地說，我們在校董會的記錄表明，我們能夠迅速採取適當的行動——例如最近羅威小學發生的反猶太塗鴉事件。將此類事件報告給相關部門，並為學生和教職員工提供適當的支持，是向社區表明我們絕不容忍此類行為的重要一步。

I hope this helps and let me know if you have any further questions.

Grayson Lookner, Candidate, Council At-Large

Thank you for the question. As a Jew, creating safety for our Jewish community is of utmost importance to me. Portland is an inclusive city, and Jews have lived in peace here for decades alongside Arab-Americans and immigrants from around the world who've woven the fabric of our beautiful and diverse community. Although I wasn't raised religious, my Jewish identity has been central in my desire to fight to justice, and I try to live by the principles of Tikkun olam in my personal and political life. 

我確實認為反猶太主義抬頭令人擔憂。六年前的今天，匹茲堡發生了駭人聽聞的「生命之樹」猶太教堂槍擊案，仇恨猶太人是其犯罪動機。反猶太主義滋生於無知，它是一種古老的意識形態，建立在猶太人控制和統治世界的謊言之上。這是一個醜陋而令人作嘔的陳腔濫調，看到它再次抬頭，我感到悲傷和恐懼。網路上流傳的右翼陰謀論與這些長久以來的荒謬論調有著驚人的相似之處。難怪許多美國猶太人感到自己成為攻擊目標，並感到恐懼。

The death of Jews and other Israelis on October 7th at the hands of Hamas was an atrocity. I mourn for the massive loss of life that day. Israel, like any country, has the right to defend itself. I have the right to disagree with their approach, and to express that belief publicly. How I would choose to do so on City Council is certainly a matter of public interest. In that sense, and with the benefit of hindsight, I see Portland's recent boycott, divestment, and sanction vote towards Israel as unnecessary, divisive, and counter productive.

As a Portland City Councilor, my focus will be on issues affecting the city – like how we can resolve the housing crisis, keep our schools funded, and prepare for the onslaught of climate change – not on international affairs. Sometimes it may be appropriate for the city to take symbolic votes. I don't see how this vote was conducted as one of those instances.

Personally, I am horrified at the what is happening in the Middle East in the wake of October 7th., 2023. And I express that opinion by joining in with organizations such as Jewish Voices for Peace. It is among those people that I feel the most safe as a Jew in Portland.

在波特蘭為猶太人創造安全環境，需要長期的教育宣傳活動，也需要市政府齊心協力，提高公民參與度，促進社會凝聚力。陰謀論、反猶太主義和各種形式的偏見，往往蒙蔽那些迷失方向、與世隔絕的人。毋庸置疑，消除波特蘭的反猶太主義是一項長期工程，但我對此矢志不渝。

I'd be thrilled to speak with you and with anyone else from JCA. I am grateful for the opportunity to respond, and I look forward to having a stronger relationship with JCA in the future.

Shalom

布蘭登·梅澤，市議員候選人（不分區）。

感謝您的郵件和提出的寶貴問題。

Antisemitism is rising in Portland. As a member of the Jewish community, I have personally experienced it. 

我非常感謝JCA幾週前舉辦的關於這個主題的論壇，也很慶幸自己能夠參加。正如當晚的討論所表明的那樣，這個問題沒有簡單易行的解決辦法，但我認為這樣的論壇是朝著正確方向邁出的一步。我們需要繼續教育我們的社區了解什麼是反猶太主義，並在發現反猶主義時予以譴責。任何形式的仇恨，無論是在我們的城市或其他任何地方，都是不可接受的。

I am happy to meet with you or any other JCA members to answer any further questions.

Jake Viola, Candidate, Council At-Large

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to this important questions. 

First, I will work to repeal the divestment resolution passed in September. The resolution was misguided, polarizing, and dangerous, inflaming tensions in our local community at a time when antisemitism is at a 50-year high nationally, in Maine, and in Portland. The Council should never, as our Mayor admitted in his recent public apology, stray outside its lane and opine on international affairs about which it has little knowledge and no jurisdiction. That it not only chose to do so but also chose to single out Israel, the only Jewish state in the world, for condemnation and punishment is outrageous. While the Mayor’s apology was a brave start, it does not go far enough to right the wrong committed. 

其次，我將積極參與並向波特蘭的猶太社區學習。這座城市擁有引以為傲的猶太歷史，波特蘭猶太社區的巨大貢獻怎麼強調都不為過。在競選期間，我已經聯繫了波特蘭的幾位拉比和猶太領袖，傾聽他們的希望、夢想和擔憂——很遺憾，我沒能從候補名單中脫穎而出，參加本月初JCA舉辦的關於反猶主義的社區討論會。您可以放心，我將經常參與猶太社區的活動、慶祝活動和紀念儀式，並積極推廣猶太文化和藝術。

Third, I will always operate transparently as a Councilor and demand that the Council do the same. Should the Council ever have business before it that affects the Jewish community, leaders in the Portland Jewish community must be consulted well in advance and invited to be an integral part of the conversation and planning process. No more secretive, closed-door meetings and last-minute public notifications that take by surprise those most impacted by proposed resolutions and legislation. The public must have time to comment and Councilors must listen and understand the consequences of their actions. 

第四，雖然我們必須始終保護我們受憲法第一修正案保護的言論自由權利，但我們的民選官員有義務譴責滲透到我們城市的駭人仇恨行為。例如，去年三月，反猶太復國主義抗議者試圖迫使州立劇院取消馬蒂西亞胡的演出，並恐嚇持票觀眾，阻止他們參加音樂會，這種行為令人髮指。同樣，公職人員也應該譴責這種排擠以色列和猶太作家及藝術家的「趨勢」。正因如此，我才覺得帶著我的小女兒參加緬因州猶太博物館最近舉辦的“我是緬因州猶太人”青少年藝術大賽獲獎者慶祝活動，並通過緬因州以色列裔居民卡米爾和安雅·戴維森姐妹震撼人心的“黃絲帶”展覽向人質致敬，是多麼重要。

 
 Finally, I will actively explore the possibility of forming a task force to combat antisemitism in Portland. Given the geopolitical situation as well as the shattered trust in local government, it's important to prioritize repairing the relationship between the city and the Jewish community and preventing further harm. I understand that the JCA is developing its own taskforce and am committed to working with this group to see how the City Council can best support their efforts.

District 1:

Anna Trevorrow, Councilor, District 1

---no response

Sarah Michniewicz, Candidate, District 1

Thanks for reaching out. I'm happy to answer. 

Antisemitism is unacceptable, and I will use my position to the full extent possible to prevent and respond to such occurrences, and to condemn them.

My first step as a new councilor will be to clarify what responses it’s possible for a councilor to take or promote, and what limitations there may be, if any, so as to focus on actionable solutions. 

我也會優先與猶太社區聯盟和其他猶太領袖會面，傾聽他們的關切，更全面地了解他們的觀點和期望。我將評估教育可以發揮的作用，並與警方溝通，了解他們有哪些能力和資源可以保障猶太社區成員在禮拜場所的安全。

In all decision-making, I will strive to anticipate, preempt, and mitigate impacts that may be caused by the council’s actions and policies, informed by guidance from the Jewish community and other groups, and advocate for keeping the council’s focus as much as possible on the local issues that directly affect Portland’s people. 

I will particularly advocate for all work that comes before the council to arrive with adequate public notice in order to provide ample opportunity for community feedback and time for all councilors to read, process and understand the policies we are being asked to vote on.

There is no place in Portland for hateful and harmful actions against any group or individual. Portland should be a welcoming place for all people to live, work, and spend time, and I will work to ensure Jewish families enjoy the same comfort and safety as anyone else.

Todd Morse, Candidate, District 1

身為猶太人，對反猶太主義視而不見對我來說並非可選項。我記得小時候，在猶太新年和贖罪日，我常常偷偷溜出冗長的禮拜儀式，到外面透透氣，和保全一起待在教堂外。年少時，一切似乎都很正常，直到長大後我才意識到，並非所有宗教場所都覺得需要保全。反猶太主義和偏見似乎在全國範圍內抬頭，緬因州也不例外。就在去年，我出門散步時，我看到一張傳單，上面印著猶太人的漫畫和陰謀論。反猶太主義和仇恨行為幹擾了我們的市議會會議，導致所有人無法遠端發言。我們也發生了新納粹集會，最後演變成暴力事件。即使在寫這封信給JCA時，我仍然猶豫是否要寫上我是猶太人。我知道，如果我當選為猶太裔市議員，我就會成為攻擊目標，面對其他議員因其身分而遭受的仇恨攻擊和恐嚇。但我必須坦誠面對這一點，否則仇恨和恐嚇的伎倆就會得逞。我希望以回應反猶太主義的方式，來應對我認為所有形式的偏見。我會及早且頻繁地譴責這種行為，與不同身份的群體和個人展開公開對話，倡導確保波特蘭所有人安全的城市政策和執法優先事項，並與所有身份的人們團結一致。身為猶太人，我最引以為傲的事情之一就是我們參與了民權運動。我們與所有身分的人們站在一起，為實現真正的平等貢獻了自己的力量。當我們反對針對其他群體的偏見時，他們也會反過來反對針對我們的偏見。團結起來，我們就能進步；分裂，我們就會沉默。

我非常樂意與您會面，進一步討論並聽取您的意見。

第二區：

Victoria Pelletier, Councilor District 2

感謝您的郵件——這實際上是我擔任市議員的最後一周，但我還是想在選舉熱潮到來之前回覆您。我堅決反對反猶太主義，並認為尊重、尊嚴和安全對我們社區的所有成員都至關重要（尤其是身為一名黑人女性，我的人性經常遭受暴力侵害）。

Thank you

阿蒂姆·博伊金，候選人，第二選區

---no response

Nancy English, Candidate, District 2

What a profound and far ranging question you have asked me! I would like to require a history lesson for all, a lesson that would include some of the greatest literature and documentaries and show the suffering, cruelty, and crimes committed in the name of historical antisemitism. I would like to show everyone the brass cobblestones set into the pavement in front of houses in Rome and other cities, marking the residences of Jews who were taken to concentration camps and killed. To respond in this way is to say that I hope I am well versed in the nightmare that antisemitism has been throughout history, and that I will share my knowledge of this tragic history whenever possible. I hope that improving knowledge of the history of antisemitism has some power to prevent acts of antisemitism.

如果我遇到反猶太主義，我會強烈反對。如果反猶太事件在這裡發生（這種情況確實存在），而我當選後，我會發表公開聲明予以譴責。我會根據具體情況參與補救工作，例如帶領工作小組清理牆上的反猶太塗鴉。我曾向一些市議員建議波特蘭市議會在其議事規則中加入一項新規定，要求決議只能涉及地方事務。目前還沒有人同意這個建議，但或許人們的想法正在改變。

In other words, I would be active and vocal and try to have an effect. I will seek out ideas about how to fight antisemitism. Thank you for presenting this question and bringing this issue to the front of my mind. I am interested in meeting with you or other representatives of the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine to better understand your local experience of the problem of antisemitism.

Catherine Nekoie, Candidate, District 2

感謝您在郵件中提及我。我了解到市議會最近的一些決定可能對您的社區造成了一些損害，對此我深表歉意。

波特蘭絕不容忍反猶主義——毋庸置疑。身為市議員，我將確保這訊息清晰響亮、毫不動搖地傳達出去。一旦發生反猶太事件，我們必須直面它，迅速採取行動，譴責其危害，並與受害者站在一起。我們是一個多元化的社區，每個人的聲音都至關重要。至關重要的是，每個人——無論其背景、宗教或信仰如何——都應該在我們的城市中感到安全、受到尊重和歡迎。

Thank you,

Robert O’Brien, Candidate, District 2

---no response

Wes Pelletier, Candidate, District 2

As someone who has organized events and campaigns-- including anti-fascist, anti-white supremacy actions-- alongside many dear Jewish friends,, I'm committed to making sure that there is no place in Portland for bigotry or antisemitism. Ensuring that there is a planned, quick police response to situations-- such as NC-17's march through Portland last year-- is a high priority for me, as is making sure that firm standards are in place for public comment, including those made during remote meetings, so that no public platform is given to hatred.

District 3:

雷吉娜·菲利普斯，議員，第三區

---no response

District 4:

Anna Bullett, Councilor, District 4

---no response

District 5:

Kate Sykes, Councilor, District 5

In responding to your concerns about antisemitism, I want to emphasize my commitment to peace, non-violence, and inclusivity. As a city councilor, I believe that what we pay attention to will grow, and I am only interested in addressing these issues by cultivating an environment where understanding and compassion can flourish. Rather than focusing solely on the divisions that can arise, I prefer to foster a collective identity that transcends individual labels and encourages people to see beyond their differences and embrace our shared humanity and connection to the Earth.

To address incidents of antisemitism or any form of discrimination, I support the following actions to promote peace, unity, and resilience in our community:

1. 促進理解的教育：舉辦研討會和公共論壇，促進宗教間對話和文化交流，幫助居民建立共同的價值觀，並了解彼此的歷史、經驗和傳統。

2. Community Peace Circles: regular community peace circles or gatherings where people can come together to discuss community concerns in a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment. This non-violent, solution-focused approach can deepen connections and foster empathy.

3. Non-Violence Training Programs: de-escalation and non-violent communication training in schools, neighborhood groups, and local organizations. These programs should focus on conflict resolution, respect for diversity, and the importance of compassion in creating a peaceful community.

4. 公共藝術與媒體宣傳促進團結：波特蘭的公共藝術計畫和媒體宣傳活動旨在頌揚多元化、團結以及我們對和平的共同承諾。當我們聚焦這些正向價值觀時，它們便成為我們社群認同的基石。

With a focus on unity and understanding, these efforts can transform our community by reducing fear and preventing the spread of hate.

Additional Resources