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Not giving House devotional (as stated in earlier headline), but present in gallery
by Guy Page
With Palestinian activist Mohsen Mahdawi present, State Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale announced the formation of the Vermont Immigrant Legal Defense Fund at a noontime State House press conference today.
[At 1:09 PM, VDC was informed Mahdawi is scheduled to offer the House devotional this afternoon. In fact he did not give the devotional, but was present in the gallery. He agreed to be interviewed by VDC, saying in a written note that “I should get back to you through the media team.”]
Ram Hinsdale said the fund hopes to raise $1 milllion. United Way of Northwestern Vermont will assist, she said. All of the funds will be raised privately. No cash has been raised as of today, the first day of the venture, organizer Sue Minter said. Treasurer Mike Pieciak said he will be presiding over a fund advisory board in his personal capacity.
“Honored, privileged and inspired” to have Mahdawi there, Ram Hinsdale reminded the press and others that “He should not be asked any questions.” She said he’s pressed for time for his next appointment. As predicted, he left (with Sen. Becca White) before the press conference ended.
Mahdawi was supported by state senators and former Burlington Mayor Peter Clavelle and other political and non-profit luminaries. He received extensive applause before, during and after his brief remarks, in which he said Vermont is a safe place and that during his detention last month his Roman Catholic cellmate prayed before bedtime and that the day’s events suggest that “his prayers were answered.”
The final speaker of the press conference, Mahdawi said “the rest of the nation could learn from Vermont – don’t give up on justice.” He said Vermonters now should work for prison reform and the end of ‘genocide,’ bringing Jews, Muslims and Christians together.
“Believe me, I have already asked him to run for office, “ Ram Hinsdale said of his speaking skills.
WCAX asked about Trump policy for going after immigrants due to national security. A migrant defense lawyer said the Trump administration has made “unprecedented” use immigration law for “nefarious” purposes, including “chilling free speech.”
Previous to the press conference, Mahdawi met with Gov. Phil Scott in a meeting closed to press.
Also, the Vermont Democratic Party is making its support for Mahdawi a political issue.
In an X post issued earlier this week, the Vermont Democratic Party rebuked Sen. Russ Ingalls (R-Essex) for voting no on a resolution supporting Mahdawi, who was detained April 14 by immigration authorities in Colchester pending possible deportation. He was released for incarceration at the Northwest Correctional Facility in Swanton two weeks later, and is awaiting an immigration hearing date.
In the X tweet, the Vermont Democratic Party quoted Ingalls as telling a constituent that Mahdawi “is receiving due process. Do your homework and don’t follow the crowd. He will be deported, rightfully so.”
“Vermont Democratic Party will not be silent. We will stand with Mohsen. And we will fight for a Vermont — and a country — where decency, justice, and basic rights are not up for debate,” the X post said.
Speaking to VDC Thursday, Ingalls said he’s not bothered by the attention from the Vermont Democratic Party operatives.
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Categories: Border
While Vermont’s new Immigration Legal Defense Fund is well-intended, we must remember that federal immigration law exists to preserve national order and legal consistency. The case of Mohsen Mahdawi, currently facing deportation, is being handled under the law as written. Non-citizens who are in the country illegally do not have full constitutional due process rights. Immigration enforcement is a lawful duty, not a political attack.
Turning enforcement into a partisan issue undermines the legal system. Supporters may be moved by Mahdawi’s story, but the law must apply equally, regardless of popularity or political message. If Vermont wants to stand for justice, it should start by respecting federal law and discouraging efforts to politicize lawful proceedings.
Sincerely,
Gaylord Livingston WRJ
RESIGN ! D. Morrisseau
I cannot express the disdain I have for anyone that thinks this is an acceptable idea and is even remotely what America is about. Have you people lost your morals?
To “jrice2n07e335ed64”, I am confused by what ‘this’ you are referring to. Would you consider elaborating? I’m just curious.
Are you disdainful of the support Mahdawi has garnered? Or just his presence in general? Or the formation of a legal defense fund for immigrants. Or the other two commenters? Again, just curious.
To Pam Baker, this fund is for Illegals, not immigrants. Immigrants are legal residents and gone thru the immigration process. If legal why would authorities be inclined to deport? Illegal and Immigration are of two different meanings.
This whole thing was a planned operation.
They planted this guy in order to create this fund that they can launder money through
This is affront to all immigrants that came here legally and I don’t trust what this man has done in the past. Our state government should stay clear of Go Fund operations!!! Run the state ! It needs help!
God, help us. Forgive them for they know not what they do . . .
“the Trump administration has made “unprecedented” use immigration law”
And the Biden Admin. did nothing to trigger these “unprecedented” reactions ? I believe there is some kind of law in physics that states that for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction . Another euphemism might be, don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time !
My thoughts:
– VT is the third worst tax burdened state in the USA
– Social Security is still taxed in VT
– VT has the highest homeless rate in the USA
– VT has a new state record $9B budget
– VT is being sued at new levels at taxpayer expense
– Education assessment for our children is dropping
– Health insurance premiums are at double digit increases for the fourth year in a row
– Property taxes are up over 30% in the last three years.
But … wait … look over here!
Bruce gets it, more people need to listen to Bruce.
Step away from your smart phone, put down the propaganda machine, engage brain, make wise decisions, don’t drink the Kool-Aid….. Vermont is like a hot mess super model, beautiful to look at, but rather difficult to live with.
The liberal circus of Vermont goes on and on into ever increasing ridiculousness and deceptions. They may call it the Vermont immigrants defense fund, but almost all the money will come from NGOs based outside the state; and the mission is not to serve anyone, it is meant to divide and deceive while giving the clueless resident progressive a spot light and a mirror for their batting eyelash virtue signaling.
Thankfully with DOGE, we now have some semblance of oversight over grants given to NGOs/non-profits to fund this kind of advocacy for lawbreakers. A big weapon to use against the Constitution has been taken away from leftist groups by depriving them of their taxpayer-funded lifeblood.
So what law did Mohsen Mahdawi break? What is he charged with? I can’t find that info (not heresay) anywhere.
Entered the Country as reported with illegal narcotics and weapons and was never escorted out at the time. 17 years as a PHD student? Whenever in the Country on anything other than becoming a citizen, you are here at the discretion of the Dept of State and may be asked to leave at anytime, if you do not leave it is a crime. It is in the paperwork you sign when application is made. Just like signing a Student Loan says you will pay it back
But what is the charge? Like specifically? Also, he was on his path to citizenship, and was a legal permanent resident. and if the Dept of State can remove you altogether, just not sure why they haven’t deported him yet when they have the full legal authority to do so.
When one is lenient when they should be firm, they will one day be cruel when they should be kind.
It was never about compassion or fairness. That’s the illusion. Democrats did this for politics and power….that’s it. Now we are left with no other options other then those perceived as cruel. Please look beyond the surface and your impulse emotions.
The headline should read, legal immigrant defense fund. You would have to ask , if they are legal why would they need funding?????? Looks like the
operations using illegals will must likely be the ones laundering money into this funding operation.
In your face Vermonters – they may as well spit in our faces.
Mahdawi has gone from humble rags to riches! He can milk this cash cow and I say go for it! You got them holding you up as a false idol, the token immigrant celebrity, the poor sod cleaning up bigly! All you need is a golden calf under one arm and an AR under the other and you will be Governor. Well played Sir, well played! Grifters gotta grift! The agents of the deep state have taken over and raking in the biggest of pay days ever!
Rest in Peace Republic of Vermont. I don’t know the exact date the dagger was driven through your heart – but it is obvious the bleed out has rendered you deceased and the dirt being shoveled over the remains in haste. The best apocolypse ever! The tribulation is underway….they want it and they are going to get it.
When can we expect the Taliban or CCP to take over and provide our universal basic income? Is Putin still offering asylum to Americans? Asking for a friend….
Stand tall Russ