Activists in St. Albans City plan to host a “Community Rally for Togetherness” across the street from, and at the same time as, a discussion on critical race theory taking place at City Hall.
Friday’s discussion is one of several being held statewide this month by Vermonters for Vermont — a group founded by Gregory Thayer, who critiqued critical race theory at a meeting in Rutland last month, along with several other speakers. Others are planned in Barre and Brattleboro, and the organization says more are being organized.
St. Albans City Manager Dominic Cloud said that, while the Vermonters for Vermont event will be at the City Hall Auditorium, it’s inaccurate to say the city is “hosting” the discussion.
In response to criticism from local activists, Cloud said, the city put out a statement on Facebook that the venue can be rented “for a variety of events and purposes” and the discussion Friday “is independent from the city.”
The auditorium costs $60 per hour to rent on weekdays, according to rates on the city’s website. Many political events are held there, Cloud said, such as events hosted by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.
“It’s a pretty high bar before we weigh in and say that that event is inappropriate,” he said. “If you’re assembling people in St. Albans for a public discussion, this is where you do it. It’s been that way for over 100 years.”
“Critical race theory” is an academic concept that acknowledges the many ways racism is embedded in the country’s institutions. Conservative activists nationwide have pushed for a ban on discussing it in schools, along with conservations about racism.
Vermont educators, including those who encourage conversations about politics, equity and identity, say they are not explicitly or intentionally teaching critical race theory, VTDigger has reported.
Speakers at the Vermonters for Vermont event, which will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., include 2020 Republican gubernatorial candidate John Klar; former Republican state legislator Linda Kirker; and Aaron Kindsvatter, a University of Vermont professor who faced calls to resign this spring after claiming he was discriminated against for his “whiteness.”
The event hosted by the activist group, Neighbors for a Safer St. Albans, will run from 6 to 9 p.m. in Taylor Park. Eliana Castro, an assistant professor of secondary education at UVM, will speak about critical race theory and racial justice.
A transgender woman from the community will read a children’s book about racial injustice, and there also will be food, music and other activities for children, said Jennifer Williamson, a member of Neighbors for a Safer St. Albans.
Williamson said the group wants to draw attention away from the Vermonters for Vermont discussion, adding there is interest in advocating for racial justice in the city.
“It’s just a big, family-friendly event,” she said, “of people getting together who are all not necessarily fans of the anti-CRT thing.”
