Bangor Rejects Proposal to Eliminate Equity and Inclusion Committee

City council votes down plan to disband advisory group amid flood of community opposition.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:55am

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The Bangor City Council voted not to move forward with a proposal to eliminate the city's Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights. The decision came after councilors said they received a flood of emails from community members opposing the committee's elimination. While some councilors argued the committee was divisive and overstepped its advisory role, others said the group provided valuable feedback that shouldn't be dismissed.

Why it matters

The debate over the equity and inclusion committee touched on broader political divisions within the Bangor City Council, particularly around issues of immigration and diversity. The committee's work has included advising the city on policies to promote equity and inclusion, as well as weighing in on controversial topics like the city's relationship with federal immigration authorities.

The details

City Council Chair Susan Hawes said she asked the city manager to draft the repeal ordinance because some people were concerned about the way the committee operated, although she did not specify who those people were. Councilor Carolyn Fish was the most vocal critic, arguing the committee was 'divisive' and 'raising up certain communities above and beyond the others.' However, other councilors said any issues should be addressed by making changes rather than eliminating the committee entirely.

  • The Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights was established in October 2020.
  • The committee presented its annual report to the city council on Monday, February 3, 2026.

The players

Susan Faloon

A Bangor city councilor who estimated receiving between 75 and 100 emails from community members opposing the committee's elimination.

Susan Hawes

The Bangor City Council Chair who said she asked the city manager to draft the repeal ordinance due to concerns about how the committee operated.

Katie Brydon

The chair of the Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights who presented the committee's annual report to the city council.

Carolyn Fish

A Bangor city councilor who was the most vocal critic of the advisory committee, arguing it was 'divisive' and 'raising up certain communities above and beyond the others.'

Angela Walker

A Bangor city councilor who motioned to vote on whether to bring the issue of eliminating the committee to the full council.

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What they’re saying

“We wanted a discussion. There might be some revamping, and maybe at the end of the day, it might go away. But if it doesn't, it has to be in a better format.”

— Susan Hawes, Bangor City Council Chair

“Their job is to review existing policy and advise. We don't have to listen to it, and we haven't always, but I appreciate hearing it.”

— Michael Beck, Bangor City Councilor

What’s next

It's unclear if any other actions will be taken to dismantle the Advisory Committee on Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Human Rights, as Bangor City Council Chair Susan Hawes suggested she has the power to eliminate the committee without a council vote.

The takeaway

The Bangor City Council's decision to reject the proposal to eliminate the equity and inclusion committee highlights the ongoing political tensions around issues of diversity, inclusion, and the role of advisory groups in local government. While some councilors saw the committee as overstepping its bounds, others viewed it as providing valuable community input that shouldn't be dismissed.