OPINION | Lessons learned from Monday’s ICE protest

Regardless of individual opinions or perspectives, the First Amendment protects everyone — including reporters from the Maine Wire

By TOM McPHEETERS, Contributing Writer

What happened in Biddeford on Monday morning was certain to draw a strong reaction from people who are fed up with the high-handed actions of federal agents supposedly hunting for the “worst of the worst” immigrants. Not just us residents, but people from all over flock to a tragedy like this

The tragedy and its associated protests also bring out those who want to capitalize on tragic events for whatever personal or political reasons. We saw examples of that behavior during Monday’s protest in Mechanics Park.  In some cases, it was comical and in others a bit troubling. But it’s always a fine line when passions are high and people with contrary ideas try to stir things up.

With little or no solid information, rumors and misinformation spread quickly, crowds grow more animated and unruly and often the most angry and aggressive voices hold sway. Thus, a breakaway group marched up to Sen. Susan Collins’ Main Street office to berate her for this shooting, but mainly to get in another dig at her reelection campaign.

Okay, fair enough although a bit off the point.

The police intervened, and the protestors marched back down to Mechanics Park.

Organizers generally know how to handle troublemakers, whether from within their own ranks or on the other side.

Monday’s protest included the inevitable flag-bearing fellow who wanted it known that he supports ICE and thinks the person who got shot probably deserved it. When he hovered around the edges of the crowd, he was generally ignored; when he tried to move into the middle and swing his flag wildly, some of the calmer hands escorted him out of the thicket.

Today’s protest drew just about every media organization in the state. Mostly, they were given space to interview people and film the unfolding event. Except for the reporter from the Maine Wire, an online publication that reports from the hard right side and delights on being provocative.

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Reporter Jon Fetherston circulated through the crowd (one of the largest at that site that I have seen) attempting to interview protesters and generally getting a cold shoulder.  Following him very closely were a group of young people who were doing their best to mark him as undesirable. It was much like seeing crows harass a hawk or eagle that gets too close to their nests.

Then Fetherston spied Dr. Nirav Shah, who I think was the first of the candidates running for the now-open Democratic nomination for Sen. Collins’ US Senate seat to arrive.

Fetherston did his best to muscle into the scrum around the candidate. One of the protesters had a cardboard sign that he repeatedly thrust in front of Fetherston’s camera to prevent him from getting pictures or recording what was being said. It was sort of a dance — move, block, move and block.

An elderly bystander (me) mentioned something about the First Amendment to one of the group circling Fetherston. Whatever effect that had, I saw no more of the sign dance although the protesters continue to hover around the reporter.

Later I asked Fetherston whether he thought his First Amendment rights were being violated. “As long as they don’t put their hands on me, they have a First Amendment right,” he said.

I see the Maine Wire’s daily email blasts. It is fair to say that this is a deliberately provocative outfit. They may or may not be a Republican mouthpiece, but they are clearly engaged in portraying the worst of the left.

Fetherston’s job appears to cover a lot of protests throughout the state, where he often draws the kind of pushback we saw on Monday. And while he may have no complaint, the website and its editors are continually complaining about his treatment at the hands of the leftist mobs.

It takes all kinds to make democracy.

The First Amendment applies to everybody, and it’s important to remember that in a national mood where reporters are being harassed and even hauled before grant juries for doing their job.

. . .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR | Tom McPheeters is a contributing writer at the Biddeford Gazette. He is a life-long lover of Maine and a year-round resident of nearly three years.

After a journalism career or 25 years at three newspapers in Ohio and New York State, Tom spent the last 30 years as a community organizer and advocate in Albany, NY. He lives in Biddeford Pool. 

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NOTE | The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Biddeford Gazette, its staff, affiliates or sponsors. We encourage robust and diverse community conversations on topics related to the city of Biddeford. For information about how to submit your own column, please CONTACT US

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