What began as a reckless car chase initiated by ICE through morning rush hour traffic–causing multiple vehicle collisions–culminated in a violent and terrifying display of federal overreach, made possible by the active complicity of Vermont’s own law enforcement agencies. This collaboration resulted in a protracted standoff involving state law enforcement, federal agents, and hundreds of people gathered in protest and protection. The day-long siege of a private home on Dorset Street escalated into indiscriminate violence and brutality against our community.
On March 11, the long-standing pattern of abuse and impunity within federal immigration agencies reached our doorstep. Vermont is not immune to the systemic harm that is happening throughout our nation. What was intended as a display of force to fracture our community instead became a catalyst for a profound and deeper understanding of what actually keeps us safe against the federal immigration agenda – the courage of our neighbors. Our safety depends on our solidarity.
In the wake of this betrayal, which will leave its mark for months and years to come, we joined our immigrants’ rights partners and hundreds of Vermonters in calling for truth and accountability from the local law enforcement agencies involved in the violence that day. Facing public pressure for an accounting of what role state and local law enforcement played that day, the House and Senate Judiciary Committees held a public hearing on March 31, offering a critical platform for community members to raise their voices and provide testimony regarding safety concerns arising from March 11.
The people’s record
Over the course of the two-hour hearing, impacted community members directly confronted the false narrative of their role as agitators. Witnesses testified they were there not in protest, but to protect their community in the face of clear imminent threat of harm—an effort they believe would have been successful if not for state and local police interference. The message was clear: instead of upholding their duty to the community, state and local police betrayed and brutalized the very people they are sworn to protect. Personal accounts rejected the claim that state violence was a form of protection against federal agents, a sentiment captured by one resident’s testimony: “If VSP was there for my protection, then I will take my chances against ICE. Do not condescend us by suggesting that VSP brutalized us so ICE won't murder us.”
—The only people on the scene trying to keep anyone safe were the neighbors who showed up to do so.”
Testifying Community Member
Testimony also underscored the terrifying escalation of brutality shown by masked federal agents in tactical gear alongside Vermont State Police and local law enforcement officers. Per eyewitness accounts, troopers, officers, and ICE agents all employed calculated violence against members of the public—including choking individuals to unconsciousness and deliberately removing eye protection to pepper spray peaceful protestors directly into their eyes. Speakers also described how the scene was further intensified by the use of tear gas and flash bangs. In addition to these attacks, individuals described being concussed, dragged, nearly hit by law enforcement vehicles driven recklessly through the crowd over the course of the day and into the evening.
Cristian Jerez Andrade, one of the people arrested by ICE that day, provided testimony and spoke of his realization that the community members outside his door were the only ones left to protect him and his family on March 11–not local police.
—There was no authority that we could call on for help. No police who would help us in that instance. We could only count on the support of our neighbors and I know without that support things would have gone much worse for us.”
Cristian Jerez-Andrade
Across the entire hearing, speakers expressed the urgent need for systemic accountability. The legislative committee members were urged to uphold their sworn duty to the community by taking swift action. As one witness stated: “We are calling upon you to uphold your duty, the power you were elected to carry to enact change.”
People demanded immediate transparency through the public release of body camera footage and the initiation of a full, independent investigation into the escalations of March 11, including accountability for any potential violations of the Fair and Impartial Policing Policy by state law enforcement.
