Vandalism sparks rally against hate

POLAND, Maine -- Two juveniles were arrested yesterday and face a string of charges in connection with the break-in and vandalism of a house trailer, police said. The June break-in , at the home of two lesbians, prompted a rally against hate today in Portland.

Captain Raymond Lafrance of the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Department said the women's home was severely damaged. ``Windows were broken, car windows were broken, the interior of the home was ransacked," Lafrance said. ``Derogatory graffiti was written on the walls."

The victims said that rooms were looted for valuables and that furniture was destroyed.

The 14-year-old is at the Long Creek Youth Development Center in Portland, where he was already being held on an unrelated charge, Lafrance said. The 12-year-old was taken to the state juvenile intake office. Both boys are from Poland.

The two women plan to attend the rally in Portland today organized by the Maine Civil Liberties Union, EqualityMaine, and nearly two dozen other groups.