Gov. Peter Shumlin and Gov-elect Phil Scott asked Vermonters to “present a unified voice urging compassion, commitment to community and fierce dedication to equal rights and justice” during “this time of national discord.”
“The example we set for the nation can help guide us forward through this turbulent time,” the two said in the statement.
In reaction, the head of Trump’s presidential campaign in Vermont blasted the statement as “fear-mongering.”
Shumlin spokesperson Scott Coriell said those expressing concerns included refugee groups, health centers, immigrant rights activists and schools. On Thursday, in addition to the joint statement, Shumlin sent a letter to education leaders clarifying that young unauthorized immigrants have the right to attend public schools. That letter also included documents outlining how to prevent bullying and harassment.
“We’ve heard from a lot of Vermonters and groups representing minorities concerned about the future under President Trump,” Coriell said. “A lot.”
Scott told VTDigger that he and Shumlin had been approached to sign on to statements by other groups and decided it made sense to put out their own. He said it was a mutual decision.
“We/I thought it was important to show, whether it was the current governor or the incoming governor, Democrat or Republican, that we’re unified on the issue of protecting civil rights,” Scott said.
Vermont Interfaith Action, a coalition of religious organizations that fights for social justice, is holding a news conference Friday to address “the increased incidents since the election of hate speech and actions on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and political beliefs.”
Darcie Johnston, who ran Trump’s campaign in Vermont, reacted with frustration to the joint statement, particularly Scott’s decision to sign on.
“Where’s the evidence? Why is the governor and the governor-elect invoking fear, fear-mongering, instead of trying to bring the country together as the president-elect and vice president-elect are trying to do for a prosperous, safe future for all Americans?” Johnston said.
Johnston was particularly peeved that Scott, a Republican who disavowed Trump during the campaign, had joined up with Shumin.
“There are tremendous opportunities for Vermonters’ lives to improve. Why do we automatically assume that this is going to be devastating? And why does the Republican governor-elect partner up with the outgoing Democratic governor on a Democratic agenda, in a fear-mongering scenario that doesn’t exist?” she said.
A staff attorney for the Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, Jay Diaz, condemned the incidents.
“The ACLU is disgusted by these incidents. We stand with the victims of harassment in condemning such actions and hope Vermont’s communities will join us in speaking out against hate,” Diaz said. “We cannot sit back and watch this become the new normal.”
Diaz said he was encouraged that Vermont leaders are speaking out.
In the schools, Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe said some concerns had been raised after an election she called “more acrimonious and divisive than the nation has seen in a long time. We have a lot of work and introspection ahead of us.”
In a memo Monday to school leaders, Holcombe said that “the well-being of some of our children is more precarious and vulnerable than others, including children of color, children with disabilities and children of all races who struggle against the ravages of poverty. This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. It is a human issue, and both our governor-elect and his opponent denounced the politics of fear that seek to legitimize demonization of some to benefit others.”
She added: “Recently, I learned that some families, including some of our New Americans and families of color, are afraid to send their children to school for fear that they will be harassed or deported. I also learned that some Muslim women are fearful of appearing in public or sending their female children to school. Please stand with me in standing up against hatred and fear.”
In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo set up a hotline Tuesday to report crimes of bias after he said there had been a spike in incidents since the election.
One website tracking post-election harassment maintained that Vermont is one of only a few states free of hate-related incidents.
In their statement, Shumlin and Scott invoked Vermont history, including the state’s distinction as the first to outlaw slavery, and referenced a Vermont native son who made it to the White House.
“Vermont’s reservoir of goodwill is deep and our national leadership well documented. Our history … of being first to stand up for equality, inclusiveness, and tolerance is well known. Even in the face of the ugly, sometimes discouraging, reminders of how much further we must go in our pursuit of equal rights and a just and tolerant nation, we will not be deterred. Instead, we will be more resolved to help where there is need; listen where there is frustration; and act where there is injustice,” the statement said.
“As President Calvin Coolidge said so many years ago, and as it is carved into the walls of our Statehouse, ‘If the spirit of liberty should vanish in other parts of the Union, and support of our institutions should languish, it could all be replenished from the generous store held by the people of this brave little state of Vermont,” they said.
In conclusion, Shumlin and Scott said in their statement:
“Vermonters know how to weather the storms. When times are toughest, we always come together to focus on what’s important — each other.
“Together, we’ll defend the rights and freedoms of all; set an example for the nation to follow; and stand united in our commitment to move forward. The nation is counting on us to do our part — and we will.”
