Today’s protest at least the second trespass protest at Williston office building

by VDC staff

The Vermont State Police arrested 11 people and cited two others on criminal trespass charges Monday afternoon, Feb. 9, after protesters refused to leave a privately owned office building in Williston and told police they wanted to be taken into custody.

According to Rakevt.org, this protest was at least the second sit-in by anti-ICE activists at the ICE facility in Williston.

Police said the group entered the building to protest the presence of federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as other government and private tenants. The building owner contacted law enforcement and requested the protesters be removed after they declined to leave.

State police, working with the Williston Police Department, responded and spoke with protest leaders, advising them they could continue their demonstration outside the building. The group refused to relocate, and protest leaders told police their intent was to be arrested.

Troopers repeatedly warned the demonstrators that they were trespassing and issued a dispersal order. When the group continued to occupy the building’s atrium, police began making arrests. Authorities said all arrests were carried out peacefully and without incident.

In a statement, Vermont State Police said they respect the public’s right to protest while also recognizing the rights of private property owners to restrict access to their buildings. In this case, police said, the property owner asked that protesters remain outside to ensure tenants and visitors could access offices inside the building.

Police said they have been coordinating with the Williston Police Department and the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office to address situations in which protected First Amendment activity crosses into criminal trespassing.

All 13 individuals who were arrested or cited are scheduled to be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. March 2 in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Burlington. State police said the identities of those involved will be released in a follow-up statement later Monday.