policing

From FreeHer VT:

We are calling on community members to join us on Monday August 12 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in Burlington for a noise demonstration calling on local architects to drop out of designing a new women's prison in Vermont!

In these times of suffering, the state should be extremely cautious about how they allocate community resources. Yet, there has been no indication of postponing or canceling the upcoming women’s prison project, which is currently estimated to cost over $70 million. In fact, the Department of Corrections plans to announce the site of the new women’s prison before the end of the summer! In response, FreeHer is preparing to take action so please stay tuned and be ready to plug in!

The first step we are taking is to urge the subcontractor, Freeman French Freeman, to drop the contract! FFF is the local architectural firm contracted to design the women's prison. They have been unresponsive to our communications and requests for meetings, so we are going to make some noise outside of their office in Burlington!

Join us to pressure Freeman French Freeman to DROP THE CONTRACT.

We will be protesting outside Freeman French Freeman on August 12th from 11am-1pm, the local architectural firm contracted to design the new prison, to urge them to withdraw from the project. We will have speakers, music, activities, and more. Please bring pots, pans, instruments, or any noise makers you'd like. 

For more information visit: www.freehercampaign.org/vermont

From the organizers, FreeHer and the Education Justice Coalition:

Join FreeHer VT and the Education Justice Coalition for a march and panel event! Vermont Corrections general fund spending increased 335% between 1985 and 2017. By comparison, total general funding spending on education increased by just 57% over the same time period (Blueprint for Smart Justice VT). At this event we be march from the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility to a school to demonstrate our commitment to moving resources. Upon gathering we hear from FreeHer on their important campaign to stop the building of a new Women's Prison in Vermont.

For more information visit: www.freehercampaign.org/vermont

From VICII:

On the Ballot this Town Meeting Day, on March 7th: create an independent Community Control Board to oversee the Burlington Police, with investigative and disciplinary authority. "Many Burlington leaders and residents are concerned that the Charter Change to create an Independent Community Control Board will undermine our efforts to rebuild the Police Department and hurt the community," says Jordan Redell, Mayor Miro Weinberger's Chief of Staff. The opponents to the Charter Change insist that, like the action to reduce the size of the Police Department by 30%, this initiative is a risky experiment with Burlington's public safety with little-to-no precedent or planning.

The Vermont Institute of Community and International Involvement (VICII) has sponsored a two-episode series of discussions. On February 15th, Councilor Gene Bergman presented the pro arguments in this ballot item. On February 22nd, Councilor Ben Traverse articulated the opposing views.               

For more information: vicii.org

From the organizers:

Join FreeHer Vermont organizers and neighbors to learn how they're organizing to stop the construction of a new prison in Vermont, and how they plan to end the incarceration of women and girls in Vermont. They share about current campaigns and how Vermonters can get involved!

For more information visit: www.nationalcouncil.us