SENATE UNANIMOUSLY STANDS UP TO ACTS OF PREJUDICE AND AFFIRMS RESPECT FOR HUMAN DIGNITY

AUGUSTA – Today, the Maine Senate unanimously passed a Senate Order affirming the Senate’s belief that there cannot be acts and expressions that disparage the religious or cultural beliefs and traditions of others.

Sen. Justin Alfond of Portland

“Today is an opportunity to affirm our commitment to respect all people–regardless of if they look like us or pray like us,” said Senate Democratic Leader Justin Alfond of Portland. “As lawmakers, this responsibility is not one that is unique to us. It’s one that we as Mainers and as Americans share. Together, we can quash intolerance and bigotry and stand up for the respect of our diversity.”

The Senate Order came in the wake of recent media reports that a Republican Senator from Presque Isle had a prolific, online history of xenophobic and racist remarks, including bigoted remarks against President Obama.

Last week, the Presque Isle senator stepped down from his leadership role as Senate Chair on the Legislature’s State and Local Government Committee.

“There will always be intolerance in the world. The question is: will we let it slip by because it is easier to keep silent,” asked Democratic State Senator Geoff Gratwick of Bangor. “Or will we, as individuals and as Mainers, speak out and say: ‘No, that is not right.’ Today we celebrate the power of speaking out.”

Excerpts from the Senate Order include:

Sen. Gratwick of Bangor

“Whereas the members of the Maine Senate support and honor First Amendment constitutional protections of free speech, yet affirm that we cannot tolerate acts and expressions that disparage the religious or cultural beliefs and traditions of others since such acts and expressions have been known historically to promote prejudice, incite fear and anger…

The members of the Maine Senate recognize their collective obligation to defend and promote the rights and dignity of persons belonging to diverse ethnic, cultural, racial and religious minorities in order to create a society in which every individual enjoys equal civil, political and economic and social rights.”

Democratic State Senator Jim Dill of Orono reflected back on last week’s commemoration of the 50-year anniversary of the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. He added, “Our responsibility for standing up to racism and bigotry didn’t end in 1965. We can’t ignore that the challenges of discrimination, racial and cultural stereotypes, and the bigotry that still exists–often times in a more veiled and insidious manner. I challenge each of us, including myself to be aware of our own inner thoughts about people who are different from us.”

Sen. Jim Dill of Orono

The Senate Order also directs the Senate Rules Committee to organize an education training on diversity and multiculturalism.