abolition

Finding Hope From Within: Art Created by Incarcerated Women in Vermont 02/10/2024

From the organizer:

An invitation to hear and engage in a discussion, not a debate, on the proposed new women's prison. The beautiful and powerful artwork created by incarcerated women at C.R.C.F. displayed on the walls of the Fletcher Room inform and bear witness to this heartfelt conversation. Participants on the panel: Tiffany Harrington of Free Her and formerly incarcerated at C.R.C.F; Heather Newcomb, manager of Justice Impacted Services with Vermont Works for Women; Toni Foote, Shelter Coordinator, CVOEO; and a representative with the Vermont Department of Corrections.

Finding Hope Within Art Exhibit 10/08/2023

The Rokeby Museum showcases artwork from incarcerated individuals.

Abolish Slavery VT Launch 2.0 08/11/2022

From VIA and VTRJA:

After the Primary elections are over VIA and our partner Vermont Racial Justice Alliance are gearing up our Prop 2 campaign to abolish slavery, no exceptions.

This virtual event features a research report reminding us of the history of the Vermont constitution and slavery, testimonies from those who have pledged to vote in favor of Prop 2, and inspiration to motivate you to see this through to the finish line in November!

First to Fall: A Book Reading and Discussion with Ken Ellingwood 02/22/2022

From the organizers:

"Journalist and author Ken Ellingwood discusses his 2021 publication First To Fall, a biography of the American abolitionist journalist and newspaper editor Elijah Lovejoy. Lovejoy's life and times provide crucial insight into a central topic of U.S. history as well as its present - the freedom of speech and expression, including freedom of the press. Presented by Champlain College in collaboration with Phoenix Books, and moderated by Champlain College Assistant Professor Tanya Lee Stone."

Abolish Slavery VT - Panel Discussion 12/09/2021

Organizers from the Vermont Abolish Slavery Campaign have a panel discussion with participants from The Abolish Slavery National Network about efforts to abolish slavery and answer the question of why the constitutional amendment is important to Vermont and the nation.

From the organizers:

"This session focuses on Vermont's work in light of the Abolish Slavery National Network efforts to abolish slavery and answer the question of why the constitutional amendment is important to Vermont and the nation. There is a brief presentation on PR.2 and a panel discussion. The panel discussion is conversational and involves issues directly related to Vermont and on the efforts underway in other states and at a national level."

For more information: abolishslavery.us

Abolish Slavery Vermont Learning Session 04/07/2021

While Vermont is widely known to be the first colony to abolish slavery (in 1777), it was only a partial prohibition, applicable to adults reaching a certain age, “unless bound by the person’s own consent, after arriving to such age, or bound by law for the payment of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like.” Despite subsequent revisions, the Vermont Constitution continues to contain only a partial prohibition on slavery.

Vermont’s constitution went on to model a similar exception clause in the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Ratified in 1865, this renowned legislation likewise prohibited slavery within the United States “except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted[.]”

“In the year 2021, slavery is still allowed, legally, in Vermont’s constitution. We cannot accept this any longer,” said Mark Hughes, Executive Director of the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance. Hughes and racial justice advocates across the state have been working towards a full abolishment of constitutional slavery for years.

In March the Vermont Senate Rules Committee voted in favor (5-0) of PR.2, a proposal to amend the Vermont constitution with language clarifying that slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited. The proposal will go to the Senate floor on April 9th for a vote.

“At 244 years old, the Vermont constitution is the grandfather of all constitutional slavery. So this amendment is far more than symbolic,” said Hughes. “We must finish the work that we started last biennium and bring an end to this crime against humanity in our state and in our nation.”

Hughes characterized the current proposal to amend the Vermont constitution “long overdue “ and called on the legislature to also pass a Joint Resolution calling for the repeal and replacement of the 13th amendment of U.S. Constitution. The learning sessions are being offered by the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance to engage the public on the critical issues that impact the advancement of human rights and dignity in Vermont.

In addition to ending constitutional slavery, the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance’s ACT Legislative Agenda for 2021 includes policies to advance economic development, housing and land ownership, health equity and more for American Descendants of Slavery (ADOS). This agenda includes that reintroduction of an act relating to establishing the task force to study and develop reparation proposals for the Institution of chattel slavery (H.287)

Learn more about the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance and sign up for the #AbolishSlaveryVT learning sessions at www.vtracialjusticealliance.org.

Vermont Racial Justice Alliance Learning Session 04/03/2021

Hughes characterized the current proposal to amend the Vermont constitution “long overdue” and called on the legislature to also pass a Joint Resolution calling for the repeal and replacement of the 13th amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The learning sessions are being offered by the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance to engage the public on the critical issues that impact the advancement of human rights and dignity in Vermont.

Learn more about the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance and sign up for the #AbolishSlaveryVT learning sessions at www.vtracialjusticealliance.org.

Education and Enrichment for Everyone: Abolitionists, Artists, and Farmers - How the Legacy of Rokeby Museum Continues to be Meaningful Today 09/20/2019

Catherine Brooks, Director, Rokeby Museum

Part of the Education and Enrichment for Everyone series in South Burlington, Vermont. For more information visit EEEVermont.org.

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