April meeting - Know Your Rights
Tuesday, April 7 | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM ET
Fletcher Free Library | 235 College St, Burlington, VT 05401
Our April membership meeting will be devoted to Know Your Rights training from ACLU Vermont. We'll go over rights and responsibilities when interacting with federal and state law enforcement, as well as protest rights. Please bring a food dish to share if you're comfortable. Here's the signup: Know Your Rights Training in Burlington
What's next? Legislative action!
This week, we are emphasizing 4 bills, but since they are in the same committees, you can just send 2 messages to get them all!
The House Judiciary Committee is considering 2 bills passed by the Senate.
S.208 - No Secret Police - Law enforcement must show identification; no masks. Passed by the Senate and referred to the House Judiciary Committee who have heard testimony. The Senate version has very weak enforcement options ($1000 civil fine). Call on the House Judiciary Committee to toughen up the penalties.
S.209 - An act prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations. Passed by the Senate and referred to the House Judiciary Committee who have heard testimony. Ask the House Judiciary Committee to support this bill and send it to the floor for a vote.
House Judiciary Committee members from Chittenden County:
Martin LaLonde | mlalonde@leg.state.vt.us
Barbara Rachelson | brachelson@leg.state.vt.us
Angela Arsenault | aarsenault@leg.state.vt.us
Karen Dolan | kndolan@leg.state.vt.us
Sample message:
Dear Rep. [***],
I'm writing to ask you to strengthen S208 (No Secret Police) by making violations criminal acts, rather than just civil fines.
I'm also asking you to support S209 (Sensitive Locations) to reduce the ability of ICE agents to terrorize Vermonters.
As always, thanks for your service and good judgement.
[Your name]
[Your Town]
The Senate Judiciary Committee is debating two bills, both passed by the House.
H.541 - Election interference. Passed by the House and sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee. No action yet. Ask the Senate Judiciary Committee to approve and send the bill to the full Senate.
H.849 - Civil suits for rights violations by law enforcement officers (including Federal agents). Passed by the House and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee who have heard testimony. Reach out to the Senate Judiciary Committee to approve this bill so the full Senate can vote.
Senate Judiciary Committee members from Chittenden County:
Tanya Vyhovsky | tvyhovsky@leg.state.vt.us
Phillip Baruth | pbaruth@leg.state.vt.us
Christopher Mattos | cmattos@leg.state.vt.us
Sample message:
Dear Sen. [***],
Please vote in favor of H541 (Election Interference) and H849 (Civil Suits for rights violations by law enforcement officers). Both bills would go far to protect Vermonters from the ongoing destruction of our civil rights at the hands of the Federal government. As always, thanks for your service and good judgement.
[Your name]
[Your Town]
“Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty, truth, and compassion.”
— William Faulkner
