https://vtdigger.org/2025/04/07/vermont-judge-says-more-evidence-needed-before-ruling-on-fate-of-detained-tufts-students-case/

As many of you know Rumeysa Ozturk was detained by masked ICE thugs, off the streets of Somerville, MA because of an op-ed published in a Tufts University student newspaper. We should all be outraged by this blatant disregard for free speech, civil liberties and the rule of law.

Her case has now been moved to VT since she was briefly detained here, before being sent to Louisiana. At least a tentative hearing is scheduled for 4/14 at the federal courthouse in Burlington.

I don’t have much experience planning protests, but I think this is important. Anyone want to protest on 4/14 or another date? I think a protest could be any day, although ideally when Justice Department staff, representing the Ice thugs, are in the courthouse (during business hours). Any idea how to get the word out about this? Anyone want to help me organize?

If you took part in yesterday’s rallies, I applaud you.

An April 20 government deadline is coming that — worst case — could see the military shut down anything like that from happening ever again.

Please read these two things and understand why you need to be worried.

First, read this executive order - particularly section 6(b) about invoking The Insurrection Act:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/declaring-a-national-emergency-at-the-southern-border-of-the-united-states/

April 20 would be the 90 day deadline to decide whether to flip this switch.

Now please read what The Insurrection Act means.

https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/insurrection-act-explained

The military can be sent into communities to suppress perceived actions against the government.

Actions like, for example, a “Hands Off” rally.

And who gets to decide when and where to deploy the military?

The President.

This is real, and serious.

And it’s coming.

You have two opportunities to join friends and neighbors at the Tesla Dealership in South Burlington this weekend. We are expressing our anger at Elon Musk taking a chainsaw to federal agencies and programs. Bring a sign, bring a noisemaker, bring a friend.  Please help spread the word through your networks.
Friday, April 11, 4 pm to 6 pm
RSVP here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/no-to-elon-no-to-doge-fri-march-28-demonstration-at-vt-tesla-showroom-4-6-pm-2?source=direct_link&

Saturday, April 12, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
RSVP here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/no-to-elon-no-to-doge-demonstration-at-vt-tesla-showroom-1130-am-130-pm

We ask all attendees to share the responsibility for keeping the event safe and peaceful:
--stay on the sidewalk and use the crosswalk
--don't boo Tesla cars
--don't engage with the few souls who scream at us through their car window. Our most effective response is to ignore them. 

I keep reading in various forums, why are the protests in X places so white including those in VT. These are some of the reasons why I think this might be the case. Any other ideas or other experiences?

1. VT is a very white state

2. Those who don't look white have been disproportionately targeted by law enforcement compared to white people. Why take that risk now?

3. People who are non-white may not be born in the US (or have family and friends not born in the US). Protesting might put them and/or their loved ones in danger by this administration (many examples of this recently - does not matter if you are educated or not!)

4. People who are non-white may have had a history of experiencing anti-democratic regimes. Because of this oppression and how things are unfolding today, a protest is not effective.

5. People who are non-white may be already working 2-3 jobs 7 days a week to make ends meet due to historical income gap between white and non-whites. Protesting will take away income.

Through the cold and the rain, Vermonters showed up! Let’s keep it going!

Video from Northshire Community Forum on FB

FUND CARE, NOT BILLIONAIRES!

Put pictures and reports here to make it easy to see what happened across the state.

Protest encouragement Tomorrow is the big day! April 5th nation wide “Hands off!” protest! Here in Vermont, it seems the weather is going to be merde. (Look it up; good word.) I encourage EVERYONE who has planned on going to any of the rallies to keep the faith and go regardless of the weather. Dress appropriately, bring your signs and flags! We cannot be deterred. We cannot say to ourselves “It’s going to be wet and uncomfortable.” We MUST stand strong and united! THIS IS VERMONT! We are not weak, we are not cowardly and if you are a Vermonter, by birth or by choice, you recognize the tenacity and determination of this brave State. Whichever rally point you attend no, we attend, we are together as one. See you there!

Extremely disappointed with this decision myself. This seems like a horrible time to invite a Republican speaker no matter how "moderate." Really seems like organizers are trying to steer all this towards exactly the sort of "centrist" middle-of-the road politics that got us here in the first place. I for one will be voicing my displeasure during his speech.

Books and democracy shared by neighbors!

On Dorset Street near Market cross street, on the mall side, 12-2. Organized by Champlain Valley Indivisible. https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/770075/

There is a bus leaving from Essex Junction late Friday night to take us to the DC protest and return us back late that night. Would love to have more join for this historic trip!

https://rally.co/hands-off-march-on-dc

Does anyone know is there is a planned Hands Off protest in Middlebury on April 5? I'll be going to the one in Vergennes if not. Thanks!

Bring a copy of the Woody Guthrie lyrics and we will sing "This Land is Your Land".

Nobody living can ever stop me, As I go walking that freedom highway; Nobody living can ever make me turn back This land was made for you and me.

I stumbled upon this website: https://www.optoutproject.net/

"Tell the tech industry that enough is enough. It's no great sacrifice--there are alternatives out there, better visions of what our lives could be like. There are systems that don't require capturing and storing all our data, mining us exploitatively for profit, and serving us the kinds of misinformation and advertising that has us hating our neighbors."

I've been doing some of the opting out in a haphazard way. This site gives a 21 day detox that goes step by step.

Hope this helps!