President of the ACLU, Deborah N. Archer's "Dividing Lines"

Tue Sep 09 2025 at 07:00 pm to 08:30 pm UTC-04:00

Mechanics' Hall | Portland

Mechanics' Hall (Maine)
Publisher/HostMechanics' Hall (Maine)
President of the ACLU, Deborah N. Archer's "Dividing Lines"
Advertisement
Deborah N. Archer discusses her book 'Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality'
About this Event

Eminent legal scholar and president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Deborah Archer offers a critical examination of how transportation infrastructure - from highways and roads to sidewalks and buses - has been used to protect segregation and deepen racial inequality in America after the fall of Jim Crow.

This event includes an author talk and panel discussion exploring the intersections of urban planning, law, and social/racial justice across the United States and here in Maine.


Tuesday, September 9 at 7:00 PM (doors 6:30 PM), approximately 90 minutes including Q&A.


FREE to the public, registration is required.

Presented by the ACLU of Maine and Mechanics' Hall, with Longfellow Books


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Deborah N. Archer is president of the ACLU, where she serves as chair of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee. She is a tenured professor and associate dean at New York University School of Law and the faculty director of the Community Equity Initiative at NYU Law. She lives in New York with her husband and two children.


ABOUT THE SERIES

Presented by Mechanics' Hall, Beyond Comfort is a three-part speaker series that brings together nationally recognized authors and changemakers who challenge the status quo and invite us into deeper reflection, courageous leadership, and transformative justice.

These events ask: What must we risk to create cultures of equity? How do we move through discomfort to action? And how can we lead, learn, and live in ways that repair rather than repeat harm?

Don’t miss the other events of the series including on Tuesday, August 12 at 7:00 PM and on Tuesday, September 23.


PARKING & TRANSPORTATION

The Greater Portland Metro’s Congress & Casco Street Stop is directly in front of our building, served by routes 1, 7, 8, and 9B.

Parking is available at the Arts District Garage, which has entrances on Casco and Brown Street, with a rate of $5 per hour. Metered street parking is available on Congress, Casco, Cumberland, Free Street, and other nearby streets. Free hourly street parking is available between Parris and Alder Street.


ACCESSIBILITY

To enter our building, patrons will need to navigate a single step. There is a wheelchair-accessible elevator and a ramp available upon request.

If you need accessibility accommodations/questions please contact us at [email protected] or 207-773-8396.

Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Mechanics' Hall, 519 Congress Street, Portland, United States

Tickets

USD 0.00

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Portland

Phantogram at State Theatre Portland
Mon, 08 Sep at 08:00 pm Phantogram at State Theatre Portland

State Theatre Portland

USM Portland Campus Recruiting Fall 2025
Tue, 09 Sep at 11:00 am USM Portland Campus Recruiting Fall 2025

McGoldrick Center for Career and Student Success, University of Southern Maine

Flatbread Benefit Night
Tue, 09 Sep at 05:00 pm Flatbread Benefit Night

Flatbread Pizza

Modern Calligraphy for Beginners at Mast Landing Brewing Company, South Portland!
Tue, 09 Sep at 06:00 pm Modern Calligraphy for Beginners at Mast Landing Brewing Company, South Portland!

Mast Landing Brewing Company (South Portland)

Bonsai Workshop at Definitive Brewing Company
Tue, 09 Sep at 06:30 pm Bonsai Workshop at Definitive Brewing Company

Definitive Brewing Company

An Evening With Phil Rosenthal
Tue, 09 Sep at 07:30 pm An Evening With Phil Rosenthal

Merrill Auditorium

Phil Rosenthal at Merrill Auditorium
Tue, 09 Sep at 07:30 pm Phil Rosenthal at Merrill Auditorium

Merrill Auditorium

Phil Rosenthal
Tue, 09 Sep Phil Rosenthal

Merrill Auditorium - Portland, ME

Parking Phil Rosenthal
Tue, 09 Sep Parking Phil Rosenthal

Merrill Auditorium - Portland, ME

Sea State: Developing the Blue Economy & Supporting Working Waterfronts
Wed, 10 Sep at 05:30 pm Sea State: Developing the Blue Economy & Supporting Working Waterfronts

Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Hands on cooking Date Night - Chicken Alfredo
Wed, 10 Sep at 06:00 pm Hands on cooking Date Night - Chicken Alfredo

Bravo Maine

Portland is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Portland Events