Law

Vermont Interfaith Action: A Vermont Guide to Community Engagement with Local Police Departments 04/06/2022

From VIA:

A guide to community engagement with local police departments, giving ad hoc community groups in many municipalities throughout Chittenden County a plan they can use to have substantive conversations with their police about racial equity.

For more information: viavt.org

Leahy and Welch Highlight Vermont Benefits in Omnibus Appropriations Bill 03/25/2022

Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) discuss the fiscal year 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Bill passed and signed into law earlier in the month and how that new law will benefit Vermont.

Judge Ben: Interview with David Sleigh 03/25/2022

Ben Joseph interviews Vermont attorney David Sleigh about the state of Vermont's court system in the wake of Covid-19.

Judge Ben: Interview with Jen Barrett 03/25/2022

Ben Joseph interviews VT State's Attorney from Orleans County, Jen Barrett, about the state of Vermont's court system in the wake of Covid-19.

Burlington Police Commission 03/22/2022

For more information on the Burlington Police Commission and its current procedures and meeting dates, please visit burlingtonvt.gov/Police/Police-Commission.

Abolish Slavery Community Information Session 03/10/2022

From the organizers:

"Abolish Slavery Vermont is a state-wide campaign to vote YES on Proposal 2 (PR.2), a constitutional amendment to prohibit slavery and indentured servitude in Vermont. The Vermont constitution has always contained various exceptions to the prohibition of slavery. PR.2 has passed the Vermont legislature twice as required by the constitution and will be on the ballot in November, 2022. Slavery is a crime against humnaity and there are no circumstances under which slavery should EVER be permitted."

End Qualified Immunity - Rally at Ben and Jerry's on Church Street 03/02/2022

Advocates, Legislators and Ben and Jerry's co-founders gather on Church Street demanding an end to qualified immunity for law enforcement officers in Vermont.

From VPIRG:

"Qualified immunity is an unjust legal doctrine that effectively closes the courtroom doors to victims of police abuses of power. Advocates, VT Legislators, and Ben & Jerry’s co-founders will be on Church Street demanding that the the Vermont Legislature pass legislation that would help restore victims’ access to justice. Among the list of speakers is Duane Peterson, a former police officer who co-founded the solar company SunCommon and currently serves as a member of VPIRG’s Board of Trustees."

Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale (Chittenden District)
Rep. Selene Colburn (Chittenden-6-4)
Zoraya Hightower, Executive Director of the Peace & Justice Center and Burlington City Councilor
Mia Schultz, president of the Rutland Area Branch of the NAACP
Kiah Morris, Executive Director, Rights and Democracy
Rev. Mark Hughes, Executive Director of Vermont Racial Justice Alliance
Duane Peterson, founder of SunCommon, former police officer, and VPIRG Board member
Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s and co-chair of the Campaign to End Qualified Immunity
Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry’s and co-chair of the Campaign to End Qualified Immunity

VICII: Policing the City 02/28/2022

From VICII:

"Join the Vermont Institute of Community and International Involvement and the People's Law School on Zoom for a discussion and an update on Policing in the City. We will discuss this issue with Jon Murad, the acting chief of police in Burlington.

Policing remains a top priority for most Americans as we approach the election cycle, both in Town Meetings in Vermont in March, and the midterms in November in the rest of the country. In Burlington the lack of an appointment of a permanent chief of police and the continuation of the acting Chief Jon Murad roiled the City for weeks and will greatly influence the voters who select their city representatives on Tuesday; in the nation rising crime rates will greatly influence voters as they cast their ballots in November for their Senators and Congresspersons."

For more information: vicii.org

Burlington Mayor's Press Conference: Mayor Weinberger Provides Update on Mask Mandate and COVID Response 02/25/2022

Mayor Weinberger and others share an update on the City’s COVID response and the Council’s action to end the mask mandate on March 3.

Burlington Police Commission 02/22/2022

For more information on the Burlington Police Commission and its current procedures and meeting dates, please visit burlingtonvt.gov/Police/Police-Commission.

Featured Story

CCTV Receives NEH Grant to Support Community Archives

CCTV Center for Media & Democracy is pleased to announce receipt of a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Humanities Collections and Reference Resources grant alongside 32 peer archival institutions across the country. This $49,927 grant award will support efforts to preserve and expand access to audio/visual community history materials in the CCTV Archives. Read more about this opportunity here!

Law