Vermont activists block ICE facility, 4 arrested
Four protesters were arrested in Williston, Vermont, after blocking entrances to an ICE digital surveillance center. This action is part of ongoing demonstrations by activists seeking to pressure ICE regarding its operations. Protesters claim they successfully impeded operations for the day, while property management expressed disappointment over disruptions to other tenants.
Four protesters were arrested Thursday in Williston, Vermont, at a demonstration against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The activists blocked entrances to a business park at 426 Industrial Avenue, where ICE operates a digital surveillance center that analyzes data to develop leads on noncitizens. This incident is the latest in a series of similar protests, including one in February where 11 people were arrested, though Chittenden County State
's Attorney Sarah George declined to prosecute. The arrested individuals, including Peter Booth, faced charges of unlawful trespass and resisting arrest after refusing requests to leave the premises from property manager Normand Stanislas. Booth stated the action successfully impeded ICE
's operations for the day.
Reverend Becca Girrell, a pastor from Morrisville, Vt., voiced her ethical concerns, calling the surveillance and targeting of human beings immoral and unethical, and urged building management to reconsider its lease with ICE. An unnamed ICE spokesperson condemned the unlawful actions, stating they obstruct federal operations. The U.S. General Services Administration leases the space from White Cap Ventures, LLC, owned by J. Graham Goldsmith, for approximately $860,000 annually. Stanislas criticized the protesters for blocking access to the building and affecting other businesses, expressing hope for prosecution this time after the lack of action in February. The protesters are scheduled to appear in court in Burlington on June 30.