The Waitsfield Select Board will be discussing a citizen-led request to pass a resolution affirming the town’s commitment to due process, equal protection, and Constitutional rights at a December 15 meeting.
A proposed resolution came before the board at a November 24 meeting, presented by Bobbi Rood on behalf of others in the town as well as other Vermonters working on similar resolutions. At that meeting board chair Brian Shupe said he felt the issue was important enough to warn as part of a warned public hearing later this month.
Earlier this fall, the Fayston Select Board heard a similar request, presented by Tisa Rennau and others, also asking the town to affirm its commitment to due process, equal protection, and Constitutional rights. These two local efforts and those in other towns across Vermont, are prompted by current federal policies for immigrants.
Town administrator York Haverkamp provided an updated text of what the board will discuss on December 15. In essence, it recognizes the rights afforded to all people in the United States regardless of citizenship, immigration status, race, religion, and political beliefs. It calls out recent actions by federal authorities and notes that history shows when such actions persist, when anyone’s civil rights are violated, it opens the door for further abuses.
“The concept of due process is a cornerstone of American constitutional law. It ensures that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures and protections. This principle is enshrined in two key amendments to the United States Constitution: The Fifth Amendment, which applies to the federal government, and the Fourteenth Amendment, which extends these protections to state and local governments. Specifically, the Fifth Amendment states, 'No person shall... be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law,' and the Fourteenth Amendment affirms, 'nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.' These clauses form the foundation for many civil liberties protections, including the right to a fair trial, access to legal counsel, and protection against arbitrary detention,” the resolution reads.
For those who cannot attend the December 15 meeting in person, Zoom access will be available.
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