Warning: The constitution of the State of Vermont has two exception clauses that permit slavery! The Black folks in Galveston were in the dark for two and a half years. Well, this language has been in the Vermont Constitution for 244 years!
Come get the details and learn what we can do about it.
"Article 1. [All persons born free; their natural rights; slavery prohibited]
That all persons are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent, and unalienable rights, amongst which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety; therefore no person born in this country, or brought from over sea, ought to be holden by law, to serve any person as a servant, slave or apprentice, after arriving to the age of twenty-one years, 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."
Mark Hughes is the Executive Director of the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance.
