Nearly a dozen protesters were arrested on Monday during a sit-in at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Williston.Our crew at the scene saw close to 40 people at the ICE Data Center in White Cap Park, with several being arrested and taken to the Vermont State Police Williston barracks.Officials said just over three dozen protesters were part of the sit-in, and all were asked to leave by the property manager. A total of 11 people were arrested on criminal trespassing charges when they refused to leave on their own. Two others were cited on charges.”The point of getting arrested is to increase the information out there about what ICE is doing” said Burlington resident Hank Prensky.Protesters were told that they needed to vacate the building but were free to protest outside. Those who refused were arrested or cited, VSP said. Protesters told police that their goal was to be arrested. “Everyone’s saying you’re so brave, or this is so great that you’re doing this. Its nothing by comparison to how peoples’ lives are being absolutely destroyed” said Jericho resident Peter Booth.The protesters who were arrested were processed and then released, with court dates set for March 2.The protesters were demanding that the landlord of White Cap Park renegotiate and cancel the facility’s lease in light of the controversy surrounding federal agents under the Trump administration. NBC5 reached out to Vermont State Police for a comment about Monday’s arrests. State Police say in part that they:”…respect the right of people to protest and ensure those rights are protected, while also acknowledging that the owners of private buildings have the right to restrict people from entering and occupying their property.” ICE did not return a request for comment. Protesters say there will be a third No King’s Protest on March 28 and that they will not be missing it.
WILLISTON, Vt. —
Nearly a dozen protesters were arrested on Monday during a sit-in at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Williston.
Our crew at the scene saw close to 40 people at the ICE Data Center in White Cap Park, with several being arrested and taken to the Vermont State Police Williston barracks.
Officials said just over three dozen protesters were part of the sit-in, and all were asked to leave by the property manager. A total of 11 people were arrested on criminal trespassing charges when they refused to leave on their own. Two others were cited on charges.
“The point of getting arrested is to increase the information out there about what ICE is doing” said Burlington resident Hank Prensky.
Protesters were told that they needed to vacate the building but were free to protest outside. Those who refused were arrested or cited, VSP said. Protesters told police that their goal was to be arrested.
“Everyone’s saying you’re so brave, or this is so great that you’re doing this. Its nothing by comparison to how peoples’ lives are being absolutely destroyed” said Jericho resident Peter Booth.
The protesters who were arrested were processed and then released, with court dates set for March 2.
The protesters were demanding that the landlord of White Cap Park renegotiate and cancel the facility’s lease in light of the controversy surrounding federal agents under the Trump administration.
NBC5 reached out to Vermont State Police for a comment about Monday’s arrests. State Police say in part that they:
“…respect the right of people to protest and ensure those rights are protected, while also acknowledging that the owners of private buildings have the right to restrict people from entering and occupying their property.”
ICE did not return a request for comment.
Protesters say there will be a third No King’s Protest on March 28 and that they will not be missing it.