Legislative Victory
The Governor didn't sign it, but he didn't veto it either, so The Constitutional Accountability Act, H.849, will become law on July 1, 2026. It allows any Vermonter to sue anybody who denies their constitutional rights "under color of law." For instance, victims of illegal searches or detentions by Federal agents will have the right to sue their abusers. This is a big win thanks, in large part, to the voices of our members being heard in Montpelier. Great work, Vermonters!
Next up in the Legislature: Twin bills to restrict ICE - Act now!
S.208 (No Masks) and S209 (No civil arrests in sensitive locations) have passed the Senate and are now under consideration by the House Judiciary Committee. Tell them to support these 2 sorely-needed protections against abusive law enforcement. These committee members are 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
Maybe send something like this:
Dear [Rep. _______________],
Please help protect Vermonters from abusive law enforcement by passing S208 (No Masks) and S209 (Sensitive Locations). These bills are reasonable minimum standards that all law enforcement should follow. Thanks for your leadership.
[Your name]
[Town]
May Day: No Work, No School, No Shopping
Friday, May 1 | All day
Everywhere you are
Indivisible.org, our national organization, is planning an economic action for May Day. The plan? Show the economic power of the people that the Trump Administration is trying to take rights from. Don't go to work. Don't go to school. Don't spend money. If you can't fully participate, do as much as you can as we build the momentum for bigger and more powerful actions in the future. More details here.
May Day action: Workers over Billionaires
Majestic Theater Green Space | 28 Walnut Street, Williston
Friday, May 1 | 5:00-8:00 PM
This May Day we will rally and march in Williston in solidarity with Migrant Justice’s day-long picket at Hannaford Supermarket. They are demanding that Hannaford join Milk with Dignity to ensure that dairy workers' human rights are respected within its dairy supply chain. We will assemble at 28 Walnut St, march to the ICE Data facility, which centralizes and distributes information to immigration authorities and law enforcement throughout the country to arrest and deport migrants, and end with a rally at Hannaford with Migrant Justice. Details here.
May Members' Meeting
Tuesday, May 5 | 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Queen City Brewery | 703 Pine Street
This month, we're doing a brainstorming exercise. What should Queen City Indivisible do over the next year? Bring your ideas for rallies, actions, activities, projects or whatever else might preserve democracy, resist autocracy, and empower our community. Plan the changes we make together! (Note that the start time (6:30 PM) is later than usual.)
ICE out Protest & Rally
Friday, May 8 | noon
Taylor Park | 36 N Main, St. Albans
We've joined up with the ICE Out Vermont Alliance to sponsor an action to pressure ICE to change their practices. Look for us at the rally.
Save the date for Story Slam!
Thursday, May 28
Main Street Landing | 60 Lake St, Burlington
Back by popular demand, save the date for our 2nd Story Slam, hosted by Sue Schmidt, the evening of Thursday, May 28 at Main Street Landing. The story theme is, "The Long Haul." Bake Sale proceeds to benefit Migrant Justice. Come for the stories and the cookies and to fortify your resolve for Democracy! Ticket information coming soon.
What we're reading
VTDigger published a piece by Robert Langellier who was arrested last month at the botched ICE raid in South Burlington. He notes that state and local law enforcement have declined to discuss their approach to ICE with protesters, preferring to insist on "the rule of law." He makes a thoughtful case for less confrontation and more dialogue. Worth a read. Available here.
“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time we fail to protest.” — Elie Wiesel
