Black Lives Matter ME

#BlackLivesMatter Maine is a collective of young people organizing against white supremacy in Wabanaki Territory. To attain improvements for Black lives across Maine, we strive to build a space where Black folks can come to create, organize, and build movements together. Realizing Black imagination and joy, we come together to liberate and build social consciousness. The Maine group attempts to build a new, inclusive, expansive chapter recognizing the margins of identities shared by Black people. 

I, Hamdia Ahmed, am a member of the Black Lives Matter Maine (“BLMME”, “BLM Maine”) chapter. We are in the process of obtaining a fiscal sponsorship and moving funds into an official bank account. The funds will be dispersed across several different pathways, including, but not limited to: donations to affiliated organizations or non-profits supported by the global #BlackLivesMatter movement, mental health for Black youth across Maine, stipends for organizers, protest equipment, masks. By default, GoFundMe makes non-incorporated organizations select a beneficiary to retain funds. I, Hamdia Ahmed, am the beneficiary of these funds; and will subsequently move them into the BLM Maine bank account . 

 Update:  Since this fundraiser, our group has supported the community in many ways. 

We have distributed over 300 coats to low-income families and unhoused individuals in Portland, as well as 100 coats in Sanford. Additionally, we have assisted in housing asylum seekers who were living on the streets, supported numerous families in paying their bills, and covered school fees for some students. To ensure accountability, we require signed documentation whenever we provide mutual aid. As of January 15, 2021, the remaining funds have been transferred to our group account, where they are securely kept. Initially, Hamdia Ahmed was chosen by the group to act as the beneficiary until a bank account was officially opened. She has successfully fulfilled her responsibilities in this role. - Josh Wood, Olivia.