Firewall for Freedom, Statue of Liberty, Vermont State, supplemental graphics

Building a Firewall for Freedom

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Last updated on November 10, 2026

Across the nation, the federal government is attempting to dismantle longstanding protections for free speech, privacy, equality, and democracy. But freedom isn’t confined to the courts, or Washington. It begins right here in our local communities. Our state can be part of the first line of defense against federal abuse of power—but lawmakers need to hear from you.

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Our Firewall for Freedom campaign aims to protect all of us from unlawful federal interference and abuse of power. When our state refuses to be complicit in unconstitutional acts, when our leaders create legal protections for our communities, and when neighbors look out for each other—that’s how democracy endures.


As we look to 2027, the ACLU is leading with strategic and responsive advocacy. In the face of attacks on our civic infrastructure, basic fundamental rights, and our democracy itself, Vermonters expect their elected representatives to act with the urgency and resolve that this moment requires: to take bold action to defend Vermonters from federal abuses of power and advance proven solutions to address the problems facing our communities.

The ACLU has a policy playbook for creating the robust legal protections we need to secure our hard-won rights and liberties. We are joining with Vermonters from across the political spectrum in calling on our state leaders to protect immigrants’ rights, address homelessness, secure our privacy rights, ensure our government is accountable to the people, and dismantle economic inequality so that all of our communities can thrive.

Take action today by sending a message to state leaders urging them to join us in building a Firewall for Freedom here in Vermont.

Immigrants’ Rights: Protect our immigrant neighbors

We all have rights that the government must respect, regardless of our immigration status.

Immigrants make our communities stronger, and we all have fundamental rights that the government must respect—regardless of our immigration status. As the federal government tries to intimidate our communities through gross abuses of power, we are urging lawmakers to prioritize the following immigrants’ rights protections:

  • Provide access to counsel for ICE detainees held for alleged civil immigration violations by providing free legal representation and access to justice to slow down the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts.
  • Create and fund a robust state Office of Refugees and Immigrants to ensure that we are providing adequate services to our immigrant and refugee neighbors.
  • Prohibit collusion between federal agents and state/local police by eliminating Operation Stonegarden, a program that violates the state’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy.
Firewall for freedom, immigration

Smart Justice: Build real community safety

The Trump regime and some leaders in our state are pushing to adopt cruel and ineffective policies that sweep unhoused people off the streets and put them behind bars instead of giving them the support they need.

Governor Scott and some state lawmakers continue to pull from President Trump’s playbook of failed tough-on-crime approaches when what
we really need is to invest in solutions that address the root causes of the complex challenges facing our communities:

  • Fully fund shelter and ensure the government meets its obligation to provide the supports and services people need, especially children and people with disabilities.
  • Protect tenant rights to make it easier for people to access affordable and safe housing and to prevent homelessness.
  • Advance a public health approach to substance use disorder instead of treating people in crisis like criminals.
  • Reduce over-policing and racial disparities in traffic stops by passing smarter stops legislation that would end stops based on low-level equipment violations and searches without probable cause.
Smart Justice, firewall for freedom, homeless family

Privacy Rights: Keep the flock out of Vermont

Our private data is just that: private.

Vermont needs to build stronger protections for our personal data, especially from those who are working to build a surveillance state to enable mass deportations and mass incarceration:

  • Protect Vermont’s ban on Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers so that big tech and those building a surveillance state cannot stop the ban from taking effect in July 2027.
Firewall for Freedom, vermont, privacy, lock,

Economic Justice: Fund Vermont’s future

Vermont has underfunded its social safety net for many years, and these shortfalls will only be made worse as ongoing federal funding cuts continue to take effect.

Tax breaks continue to benefit the wealthiest among us. As more people struggle to make ends meet, our government needs to fulfill its obligation to meet people’s basic needs.

  • Increase taxes on the wealthiest Vermonters who are not paying their fair share, so that we can build a state taht works for everyone.
Economic Inj temp

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