The response has been overwhelming for this Saturday’s community forum about the impact of federal actions in Vermont with Attorney General Charity Clark, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas, and Treasurer Mike Pieciak. At this point, the event is basically at capacity, but there are still ways you can participate:
1. Join the Waitlist. If you’d like to attend in person, please email tickets@townhalltheater.org to be added to the waitlist. THT will contact you if a spot becomes available and will release seats for no-shows after 9:45am on Saturday to folks waiting in line.
2. Watch the Livestream. Middlebury Community Television will livestream the event on YouTube here. It will also be simulcast to channel 1071 for those who have Comcast in Middlebury and the surrounding towns. A recording will be posted to the MCTV website after the event.
3. Submit a Question. Whether you attend in person or remotely, your questions matter. Please submit your questions in advance, by 5pm Friday, using this form. We will answer as many as we can!
I am incredibly grateful to the fabulous staff at the Town Hall Theater who have handled this “sold out” event with grace and professionalism. I can’t wait to have everyone there in person or virtually on Saturday!
Recent Immigration Actions Against Students in Vermont
On Monday, Mohsen Mahdawi, an Upper Valley resident and student at Columbia University, was arrested in Colchester outside the building where he went for what he thought was a citizenship interview. He has not been charged with a crime and is being held in a St. Albans prison without being afforded the due process rights guaranteed by state and federal laws and our constitution. In addition, last week two high schools students from Nicaragua, who are here on a humanitarian parole program which was terminated by the federal government, were ordered to return to their home country by the end of the month. Finally, this morning I learned that a Middlebury College student has had their student visa terminated by the U.S. government without notice or reason, and must leave the College.
Each of these students was in Vermont legally, contributing to their communities and schools, and the actions of the federal government against them are inhumane and illegal. In particular, the arrest of Mahdawi by masked agents with unmarked cars who provided no justification for their actions is abhorrent and unconstitutional. He should be released immediately. We as Vermonters must act to protect the rights and safety of international students, and all residents, in our state. We cannot be silent in the face of this constitutional crisis.
Ruth for Vermont 