12 arrested during ICE protest at Williston office building
Twelver protesters were arrested on Friday after they refused to leave a demonstration at a Williston office building linked to federal immigration enforcement operations.
A thirteenth person was charged as a juvenile, police said.
Vermont State Police identified the protesters as:
- Linda Ayer 74, of Burlington, VT
- Margaret Chadwell, 26, of Burlington, VT
- Robin Chadwell, 28, of Jericho, VT
- Henry Dorr, 20, of Hanover, NH
- Omega Haehnel, 27, of Springfield, VT
- Lexington Kennedy, 22, of New York, NY
- Nathaniel Maddison, 33, of South Burlington, VT
- Lena Myers, 29, Norwich, VT
- Jackson Price, 20, of Hanover, NH
- Gabriella Ross, 20, of Hanover, NH
- Roan Wade, 22, Red Hook, NY
- Sherri Wormser, 58, of Colchester, VT
Protesters entered the Whitecap Business Park office building and blocked entrances to the facility. Some demonstrators were carried out of the building by law enforcement.
Those participating in the protest said the building supports U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations through intelligence and surveillance work. Organizers said they anticipated arrests as part of the demonstration and were willing to face those consequences in an effort to disrupt the facility's operations.
“Increased detentions, when we see increased violence, when we see people shot who are not the target of the operation, that information or misinformation is originating out of Whitecap here in Williston. And as a Vermonter, as a person of faith and as a human being, that has to stop,” said Rev. Dr. Becca Girrell, a protester.
All 13 individuals arrested face unlawful trespass charges. They were released and cited to appear in court in September.
The demonstration is the latest in a series of protests at the building. Four people were arrested during a separate protest in May.
Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George later declined to prosecute those cases, citing limited resources and saying her office chose to prioritize other criminal matters.
“Overall, it's a question about resources and whether or not our office has the capacity to take on all of these additional misdemeanor offenses without really seeing an ultimate goal of prosecution,” said George.
Protesters said they plan to continue pressuring Whitecap to end its lease with the Department of Homeland Security.