[T]he Vermont Poor People’s Campaign has wrapped up a series of “days of action” at the Statehouse in Montpelier, with nine more protesters arrested Monday, bringing the total of those charged to 40 in the series of three sit-ins.
After an hour-long discussion among the 53 members taking part in the demonstration inside the vestibule of the capitol building, nine of them refused to leave when asked and were removed by police.
The campaign referred to those who had stayed as “moral witnesses,” those willing to be arrested in order to call attention to national inaction on the issues of poverty, systemic racism, extreme militarism and environmental destruction.
Capitol police had informed those sitting in at 4:15 p.m. that the building was closed and urged the protesters to depart before a second wave of strong storms hit the area. Ten minutes later, they were given a formal request to leave or face arrest and then were peaceably removed.
Historically, non-violent protesters have used such tactics of civil disobedience to apply pressure on political institutions out of a belief that they otherwise are not being heard by those in power.
The Poor People’s Campaign, a revival of a national grassroots movement begun in 1968, has been engaged in a six-week period of direct action in at least 25 states and the District of Columbia.
Inspired by the teachings of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the group’s goal to to grow an “informed and committed grassroots leadership in every state,” according to the campaign’s website.
At least two of those who had been arrested in earlier Statehouse sit-ins say they have been banned from returning to the building until their cases are resolved.
One of them is a 72-year-old retired attorney, Dinah Yessne of Calais, who had taken part in the original 1968 Poor People’s Campaign in Washington, when she lived in New York.
Yessne, who was arrested along with four others on June 4, had also received an earlier citation for trespassing as a result of the group’s May 30 sit-in.
Under terms of her release in that case, Judge Howard VanBenthuysen said she could not return to the Statehouse grounds until the proceedings involving her were concluded.
The judge’s ruling went beyond the terms of release requested by the prosecutor — that she be barred from the capitol grounds during after-hours and be held to a curfew from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on June 18 — the scheduled date of Monday’s action. The judge did not include the curfew request.
“They were clearly trying to keep me away,” Yessne said. When the judge “strays into the area of punishment, it’s not appropriate.”
While Capitol Police Chief Matthew Romei said the group has been peaceful and cooperative, he points out the protests carry a financial price. Each sit-in has cost taxpayers least $2,000 for the day, he said.
While Romei said he “cherishes” each and every amendment in the Constitution, he thinks the way the protests have concluded has been ineffective.
He questioned the intent of those who cheered while they were being arrested. “It’s almost like they seem to think they are earning a merit,” he said.
Romei said he wants the Poor People’s Campaign protesters to be successful in their efforts but without breaking the law. “We want to help them be effective,” he said.
He said the cases clog up the court system and that those seeking change might better use their time lobbying their legislators when they are in session.
“These lawmakers really care about listening to their constituents,” Romei said. “Write a letter, go talk to them while they’re here. Gosh, come participate in the system, but remember that society has rules.”
Those arrested Monday are scheduled to appear in Washington County Superior Court on June 28 at 8:30 a.m.