Angela Lawrence was elected high bailiff for Windham County in 2022.
BRATTLEBORO-As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, honoring the history and contributions of the Black communities, let’s together let’s celebrate the beauty of diversity and honor the richness of Black heritage. Let’s empower Black voices and create a world where everyone feels valued and respected.
As we face the coming election here in Vermont, with the primary election just six months away, the weight of the current political moment is heavy. The national landscape reminds us why local checks and balances are not just bureaucratic details — they are essential safeguards for our civil liberties.
As I sit on my bedroom floor, studying to prepare myself for the bar exam and my future as a prosecutor, I find myself deeply worried about the state of our democracy. We are watching an administration tear families apart, splitting children from their parents in a way that is profoundly disheartening.
This hits home for me because of how far I have come.
I immigrated to this country 24 years ago with my parents and siblings. After nine years of navigating a grueling and long process, I finally became a U.S. citizen.
I went through that journey because I believed in this country and what it stands for — the promise of liberty and the protection of law. As a veteran, I am proud to have had the opportunity to serve this country as a U.S. Marine and to have recently graduated from Boston University School of Law.
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Today, many Americans are living in fear. We are seeing our constitutional rights stripped away by agencies that operate without enough local oversight.
The general and midterm elections are nine months away, marking the most critical turning point for the next several years. We must decide if we will sit by and watch our democracy erode or if we will stand up to ensure that the people remain the ultimate check on power.
We are currently seeing the consequences of unchecked “security” operations in the Twin Cities. Under Operation Metro Surge, thousands of armed and masked federal agents have initiated militarized raids in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. This has led to systematic Fourth Amendment violations of warrantless entries and illegal stops in sensitive public places like schools and hospitals.
Excessive and lethal force — including the tragic fatal shootings of U.S citizens Renée Good on Jan. 7 and Alex Pretti on Jan 24 by federal agents — highlights a total lack of federal accountability. Militarized “surge” tactics deployed approximately 3,000 agents (a number exceeding the size of local police forces) to carry out what has been described as a federal invasion.
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Two years ago, I was re-elected as your high bailiff in Windham County for my second term. I ran on the belief that every elected official, especially in law enforcement, requires oversight.
The high bailiff exists solely to act as a check and balance to the position of sheriff. As my colleague, Addison County High Bailiff David Silberman, perfectly captured: “By selecting a civilian high bailiff, we prevent the inherent and dangerous conflict of interest present when we cede oversight of the law enforcement community to the law enforcement community itself.”
When the federal government ignores basic constitutional protections, local officials must fill that gap. In Windham County, the high bailiff is that gap-filler to the office of the sheriff.
My work on the Windham County Sheriff’s Advisory civilian panel and my efforts to bring community perspective into policy are designed to ensure that the blind spots of law enforcement are never ignored.
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Beyond my work in oversight, I remained committed to the progress we have made together.
I am proud to have been part of the panelist at the 2025 Health Equity Summit, discussing the importance of Black maternal mental health and restoring the feeling of mothers being cared for. I was joined by State Rep. Saudia LaMont of Lamoille County and three powerful Black mothers, daughters, and advocates.
In April 2025, I was present in the State House to witness the passage of Resolution R-134, which designated April 2025 as Black Maternal Care Awareness Month. Furthermore, I participated in No Kings protests in June and October of 2025 to oppose authoritarian power grabs and defend democratic institutions by rallying against the current administration policies.
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My goal is to continue serving as high bailiff and, soon, as a prosecutor who understands both the power of the law and the necessity of restraining it.
My mission is to ensure that our justice system exists fairly and equitably for all Vermonters, regardless of race, gender or status.
I am asking the constituents of Windham County to re-elect me for my third term. Let’s continue to ensure that our law enforcement remains accountable to the people they serve.
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