Protesters Allege Police Misconduct During Immigration Operation
MONTPELIER — Lawmakers heard harrowing accounts on Tuesday from protesters who reported being choked, pepper-sprayed, and violently removed by state and local police during an immigration enforcement operation last month in South Burlington.
Approximately 60 individuals provided testimony at a hearing attended by around 200 people at the Vermont House of Representatives. Many claimed that law enforcement officials used excessive force against demonstrators who were peaceful and nonviolent. Testimonies indicated that local and state police acted in conflict with Vermont protocols by assisting federal immigration authorities.
“What I witnessed was 100 percent initiation and escalation of violence by the state police,” stated Sherry Wormser, who participated in the March 11 protest throughout the day.
Vermont Public Safety Commissioner Responds to Allegations
Following the hearing, Vermont Public Safety Commissioner Jennifer Morrison addressed the concerns raised by protesters during the governor’s weekly press briefing. She indicated her intention to thoroughly evaluate the matter before making any decisions. “We have a robust internal affairs process and encourage people to make complaints,” she added.
Lawmakers Investigate Police Actions
The hearing was convened by members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, currently engaged in scrutinizing high-profile immigration enforcement operations occurring in Vermont’s second-largest city. The timing of the hearing came shortly after local law enforcement defended their actions, attributing blame for the violence to so-called “instigators.” Many protesters challenged these assertions during the testimony.
Calls for Accountability and Transparency
In anticipation of the hearing, lawmakers expressed uncertainty regarding immediate actions they could take after hearing from both sides. Many protesters took the opportunity to demand accountability. Will Lambeck, an organizer with the immigrant rights group Migrant Justice, urged the Senate to use its legal power to subpoena witnesses and evidence related to the operation. Big Hartman, executive director of the Vermont Human Rights Commission, called for legislative support that would enable a comprehensive investigation, making all evidence publicly available.
Controversy Surrounding Body Camera Footage
This plea for scrutiny comes as South Burlington and Burlington Police Departments announced they would not release body camera footage from that operation. Reports indicate a Burlington officer is under investigation for excessive force, while the Vermont Department of Public Safety is also critically evaluating the actions of its officers.
Tensions Escalate During Protest
The confrontation began on March 11, when federal immigration agents were searching for Davey Daniel Corona-Sanchez. Mistaken for someone else, another man was pursued, resulting in a crash into a home on Dorsett Street in South Burlington. Protesters gathered outside, attempting to block immigration officials. Tensions rose further when police deployed flashbangs and chemical agents to disperse demonstrators as they facilitated the arrest of three individuals inside the home.
Graphic Testimonies from Protesters
Demonstrators shared graphic accounts of their experiences on Tuesday. Jess Shapiro, a local resident, recounted an incident where a state trooper choked her until she lost consciousness. Similarly, Sean O’Hearn claimed he experienced brutal treatment at the hands of state troopers outside his home, explaining how one trooper’s chokehold was so intense it damaged the metal railing on his porch.
Both Shapiro and O’Hearn highlighted the lack of identifiable uniforms among the officers present, with many wearing masks and failing to display badges or name tags. O’Hearn emphasized the need to “end the culture of cover-up,” while others voiced strong support for proposed legislation, S.208, aimed at improving police transparency by requiring law enforcement officials to visibly identify themselves.
Concerns Over Immigration Enforcement Collaboration
Protesters criticized local law enforcement for not only supporting federal immigration operations but also allegedly provoking confrontations by raising their fists at demonstrators. Lambeck asserted that police were evidently collaborating with federal agents, accusing law enforcement leaders of engaging in “victim blaming and blatant misdirection” in their previous statements. Cynthia Cook, a mediator present at the protest, likened the heavy-handed police response to a worker with only a hammer, insisting that they viewed every situation as a nail.
This article was republished with permission from VtDigger, which offers free coverage to local news organizations through its Community News Sharing Project. For more details, visit vtdigger.org/community-news-sharing-project.
