Fall 1996

Attorney General Enforces Maine's Civil Rights Laws

by Stephen L. Wessler, Assistant Attorney General

The Maine Department of the Attorney General enforces the Maine civil rights laws. Basically, these laws permit the Attorney General to go to court to obtain a restraining order against anybody who commits an act of violence, a threat of violence or property damage motivated by the minority status of victims. The Attorney General's office works closely with local police departments, local advocacy groups, as well as victims who contact the Department concerning potential civil rights violations.

Recently, the Attorney General filed a complaint and preliminary injunction on behalf of a Passamaquoddy man who was the victim of a hate crime in downtown Eastport. The case was filed pursuant to the Maine Civil Rights Act which prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's race, color, ancestry, or national origin. The case is still pending in Washington County Superior Court.

The Attorney General's office is committed to aggressively enforcing civil rights laws. If you have been subject to violence, threat of violence or property damage because of your minority status, you should contact either your police department or the Civil Rights Unit of the Department of the Attorney General at 626-8844.