News & Commentary

Where does Vermont stand on police reform, two years after the murder of George Floyd forced a nationwide reckoning on police brutality and structural racism? 

Last year, Vermont lost over 200 of our friends, neighbors, and family members to drug overdoses. This is an unprecedented and tragic record for overdose deaths here. It seems as if this horrendous reality has become the "new normal." Are we, as a state, in denial? Are we to settle for this?

(With apologies to The Beatles and with gratitude to my students at Vermont Law School for inspiring and informing these reflections) 

Pledge to vote yes.

The Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee has now held two hearings on S.254, a bill that would end qualified immunity in Vermont. Qualified immunity is a court doctrine that prevents people who are victims of police misconduct from having their cases heard when their rights have been violated. Here’s a quick rundown of what the committee has heard so far:

As the Vermont legislature begins their 2022 session, the ACLU of Vermont is excited to work with legislators to advance and defend the civil liberties of everyone that calls our state home.

Vermonters agree that when police violate someone’s civil rights, they should be held accountable for their actions and victims should get the justice they deserve. Qualified immunity prevents those things from happening.

This year showed us that we are still at a critical juncture in this country, as we continue to face unprecedented attacks on our rights and our values. With your support, the ACLU is still holding the line and working towards a better tomorrow.

We've made progress towards reducing our overreliance on incarceration -- but we cannot afford to go backwards now.