African American and Immigrant Leaders Call on Governor Mills to Do More to Protect People of Color from COVID-19

Augusta – Racially and ethnically diverse elected officials and community leaders will come together for a virtual press conference on Thursday, June 25 at 10:00 a.m. to call on Gov. Mills and her administration to do more to protect people of color from the COVID-19 pandemic. Black Mainers, in particular, are far more likely to test positive for the virus than white Mainers.

Black and African American people make up only 1.6 percent of Maine’s total population, but they make up almost 28 percent of COVID-19 cases where the race of the person is known, according to data from the Maine Center for Disease Control. People of color make up almost 33 percent of tests where race is known. This is the worst racial disparity in the entire nation.

The pandemic has brought to light long-standing structural inequities in Maine’s housing, health care, and employment systems, say the advocates. They are calling on Gov. Mills to take immediate steps to reduce the harm done to Black people and other people of color.

WHAT:

Press conference to call on the Mills administration to do more to protect Black people and other people of color during the pandemic and beyond. Speakers include elected officials of color from around the state and community leaders.

WHEN:

Thursday, June 25, 2020

10:00 a.m. ET

WHERE: