Co-signing this letter are Rev. Shawn Bracebridge; Rabbi Debra Kolodny; Rev. Ralph W. Howe; Mary Lindquist, rector; Rev. Allyson D. Platt; and Rev. Telos Whitfield. All are members of the Brattleboro Area Interfaith Leadership Alliance.
DUMMERSTON-The Brattleboro area is fortunate to have an immigrant community composed of individuals from many countries who contribute positively, many times doing work others do not want to do.
Our personal lives have been enhanced by our connections to these neighbors. It is tragic that now many live in fear of being detained or deported, or that their family members will be.
We are devastated by the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These federal agencies have recruited many who are not competent or properly trained who sometimes arrest people regardless of status to meet unrealistic quotas.
Although our community has not been directly targeted yet, we are concerned about detentions and deportations in other parts of the state such as Londonderry and South Burlington, and nearby in Keene.
We want to be assured that the Brattleboro Police Department (BPD) and the Windham County Sheriff’s Office will adhere to the practices outlined in the statewide Fair and Impartial Police Policy and not cooperate with ICE and CBP by passing information about undocumented status.
We want to be assured that local law enforcement will respond to any illegal activity, such as ICE entering a home without a judicial warrant.
We ask BPD and the sheriff’s office to make a statement regarding their compliance. We appreciate that the Brattleboro Selectboard will hold a public hearing with Police Chief Jeremy Evans.
We urge everyone to contact state and national legislators to support legislation against agents wearing masks, illegal detention, inhumane conditions in detention centers, or the new gloves that send high volume electric shocks.
People can also contribute financially to organizations such as Migrant Justice (migrantjustice.net) or Vermont Freedom Fund (vtfreedomfund.org) to contribute money for bonds. We hope you will join protests and be ready to show up if there is ICE activity.
We want to ensure a safe and welcoming community for immigrants as well as people of every other identity that creates a more beautiful, inclusive, and diverse world.
Claire B. Halverson
Dummerston
Co-signing this letter are Rev. Shawn Bracebridge; Rabbi Debra Kolodny; Rev. Ralph W. Howe; Mary Lindquist, rector; Rev. Allyson D. Platt; and Rev. Telos Whitfield. All are members of the Brattleboro Area Interfaith Leadership Alliance.
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