A diverse group of several dozen Woodstock residents gathered at the Little Theater last Saturday for an event organized to support immigrant rights in the wake of increased immigration enforcement activities in Vermont.
The event was organized by Woodstock resident Michael Green and featured a “Know Your Rights” training session led by representatives from an organization called Migrant Justice that advocates for economic justice and human rights. It included performances from local musicians.
The three-hour event was designed to provide community members with resources and information about constitutional rights that apply to all people regardless of immigration status. These rights include the right to remain silent, the right not to sign any documents, and the understanding that law enforcement cannot enter private property without a warrant signed by a judge.
The event comes at a time when immigration enforcement has intensified. According to Enrique Balcazar of Migrant Justice, there have been direct and targeted attacks against the immigrant community, including the recent detention of eight farm workers in Vermont.
Green noted that while the event was well-attended, fear prevented some community members from participating.
“People who say it can’t happen here, obviously are coming from and thinking about this issue from a place of privilege, because what I’ve heard also from people in our community is that they’re too scared to even be able to show up to this event,” Green said.
For those who missed the event but are seeking resources or support, Green recommended visiting the Migrant Justice website, which offers information and services for people throughout Vermont.
“Hopefully today’s event is a sign that the community’s got their back,” he said.
Migrant Justice is a Vermont-based organization that has been organizing in the state for over 15 years to advance the rights of the migrant community. In addition to providing Know Your Rights education, the organization works on campaigns like Milk with Dignity, which aims to ensure fair treatment for workers on dairy farms, and housing initiatives to combat discrimination in the rental market.
For more on this, please see our May 8 edition of the Vermont Standard.
