Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine

05/23/2026

Today's Standout is trying a new location:

Stand for Peace and against War and Genocide continues each Saturday, 11 AM-12 noon in a new location, West Market Square where Main, Hammond, Central, and State Sts. meet in the center of downtown Bangor. (Former location in Peirce Park next to the Bangor Public Library.)

Please join us and speak for truth and peace against guns and bombs and the bullying of unethical and power-mad governments. Signs provided, or bring your own. For more information:

05/01/2026

This Afternoon! Join us for a day of powerful May Day actions!

BROADWAY PARK, BANGOR
3-5 PM: Join us for tabling and an art build in the park!
5-7 PM: Rally at the stage and enjoy some potluck-style food!

We rally on International Workers Day against endless wars, an assault on our rights, and against Trump's Agenda!
Workers have the power to do away with racism, poverty, and war & build a new system based on peace, justice, and prosperity!

03/25/2026

The office responsible for investigating employee misconduct is now sandwiched between a college and a driving school.

03/08/2026

Afternoon Matinee! Saturday the 14th, check it out.

Join Sunlight Media Collective on Saturday March 14th, 2pm at Penobscot Nation for an afternoon of films and discussion about Environmental Justice and Juniper Ridge Landfill.

01/30/2026

Friday January 30th!

Friday 1/30 5pm at the Federal Building in Bangor, Candlelight Vigil with MSNA

01/09/2026

Demo & Vigil Sat. 1/10 11AM Peirce Park, Bangor.

Art Build TONIGHT at 6pm @ 1009 Ohio St.

See you there! STOP ICE TERROR

12/11/2025

Our Weekly Vigil Coincided with the anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10th, 1948. Here's a brief story about our remembrance today.

Wednesday marks the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

12/10/2025

In the midst of tragic events in Gaza, Venezuela, Ukraine, Sudan, and many other locations, the world will observe the 77th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), including an event on December 10 in Bangor. Participants will hold a vigil/standout from 12 noon-12:30 PM on Wednesday at the Kenduskeag Stream bridge, outside 6 State., downtown Bangor.

Supporters of human rights worldwide, and particularly those worried about the lives and safety of people in the hotspots mentioned above, will hand out copies of the UDHR. Participants will read the entire Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the Preamble and its 30 articles. The UDHR was first signed in 1948 by over 50 members of the United Nations, including the United States, with no dissent.

“Promoting human rights means an end to the violence by all sides of these conflicts and a priority for respecting human lives; there are nonviolent alternatives that are more effective in resolving conflicts,” stated Larry Dansinger of the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine, an organizer of the event.

11/19/2025

Media Advisory:

Announcement of Diversion Plan and Alternative Vision to New Jail

Thursday, November 20th, 1:00 p.m. Outside Penobscot County Jail
Plan Aims to Enhance Public Safety, Improve Lives, Reduce Costs, Cut Jail Population, and Make New Facility Unnecessary and Unwise

Bangor, Maine – Utilizing extensive research and evidence-based best practices, a plan has been developed to address the primary drivers of crime and incarceration in Penobscot County. It will be announced during a press conference this Thursday, November 20th, at 1:00 p.m. outside the Penobscot County Jail and Courthouse, located at 97 Hammond Street in Bangor.

The plan is designed to safely and effectively divert certain individuals from jail through their participation in an evidence-based program focused intensively on the underlying reasons for their actions. The root causes of most criminal activity are well-known. They include substance use disorder (SUD) and/or other mental illnesses, as well as deep poverty and homelessness--leading to a sense of despair and hopelessness in some individuals.

Holding many of these individuals in jail does not address the fundamental problems they are experiencing and it does not make communities safer. The opposite is too often the case. High recidivism rates and a revolving door at Penobscot County Jail are the results. The plan to be announced Thursday acknowledges the significant short-comings in our current justice system and seeks to make meaningful changes.

Contacts: Larry Dansinger or Doug Dunbar

10/11/2025

This Monday, on Indigenous People's Day!

The Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission (MITSC), invites you to join them on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Monday, October 13th, to celebrate the launch of their Special Report, SEA RUN, as an audiobook. There will be a media event from 10-11am at the Veazie Salmon Club in Veazie, Maine. Featured presenters will include Wabanaki leaders & singers, co-author Judd Esty-Kendall, and other distinguished guests in fisheries restoration work.

The public is encouraged to attend, please visit MITSC.org to RSVP