Stand Up Against War
Saturday, April 11 | 11 am - noon
Shelburne Rd at Hannaford Drive | South Burlington
Join our friends from Champlain Valley Indivisible and Williston for Equity and Democracy in a peaceful demonstration to speak out against the illegal war in Iran and reckless threats of war crimes. Stand up for democracy, the Constitution and a return to the rule of law. All participants share the responsibility to keep this event safe and non-violent. Please follow the guidance of safety marshals in orange or yellow vests.
Click here for info and registration.
Democracy Day at the State House
Thursday, April 16 | 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM ET
115 State Street | Montpelier, VT
Join VPIRG and the Democracy Alliance Coalition for a day of meetings with legislators, a tour of the People's House, and the opportunity to advocate for common sense Civil Liberties & Democracy bills. Come for as much or as little of the day as you can! Details here.
March for World Press Freedom Day
Saturday, May 2, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Assemble at the top of Church Street, Burlington
Join the second annual World Press Freedom Day celebration to defend media independence and uphold fundamental principles of press freedom. Third Act VT will lead marchers from the top of Church Street, around City Hall Park and
back up Church Street. The march is focused on supporting our local, independent and public media and on upholding our First Amendment freedoms. Bring signs supporting these freedoms, as well as condemning media conglomerates, suppression and cancellation of media figures’ right to self-expression, the use of AI in place of human reporting, and other current actions that endanger freedom of the press. For questions, contact Lois at tavtpublicmedia@gmail.com.
Legislative update
The session is rolling along and some good things are happening, but these bills need your attention now.
H849 - Civil suits for rights violations by law enforcement officers (including Federal agents). Passed by the House and approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Next step is the full Senate. Reach out to your Senators and Gov. Scott.
Sample message:
Dear Sen. [***],
I urge you to vote in favor of H849 (Civil suits for rights violations by law enforcement officers). It 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]
Senators from Chittenden county:
Tanya Vyhovsky | tvyhovsky@leg.state.vt.us
Phillip Baruth | pbaruth@leg.state.vt.us
Christopher Mattos | cmattos@leg.state.vt.us
Kesha Ram Hinsdale | kramhinsdale@leg.state.vt.us
Thomas Chittenden | tchittenden@leg.state.vt.us
Martine Larocque Gulick | mgulick@leg.state.vt.us
Governor Phil Scott | https://vermontce.my.vermont.gov/s/governor-office-ce
S209 - An act prohibiting civil arrest in sensitive locations. Passed by the Senate and referred to the House Judiciary Committee who have heard testimony. The bill as it stands does not include public libraries. Ask the House Judiciary Committee to add libraries and send it to the floor for a vote.
Sample message:
Dear Rep. [***],
I'm writing to ask you to support S209 (Sensitive Locations) and make it even stronger by including libraries in the list of protected places. As always, thanks for your service and good judgement.
[Your name]
[Your Town]
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
"Individually we are one drop. Together we are an ocean. " -- Ryunosuke Satoro
