Chittenden County doesn’t need prison abolitionist Sarah George, firefighters say
Last night, voters fire another Soros-backed prosecutor
By Guy Page
Four Chittenden County professional firefighters’ unions have endorsed Ted Kenney as the next Chittenden County State’s Attorney.
Firefighters don’t often get involved in a race for state’s attorney. But growing numbers of assaults on firefighters responding to calls, and theft of property (including fire trucks) pushed the unions for Burlington, South Burlington, Colchester and Williston fire departments to take action July 18.
Kenney is running in the August 9 Democratic primary against incumbent Sarah George, the George Soros-backed social activist whose non-bail policies have contributed to the increase in drug, retail theft, and violent crime, critics say.
Burlington firefighters are now wearing SWAT-type gear to render first aid in some situations. The Burlington Fire Fighters Association tweeted last night: “Two dead and another seriously injured after another shooting in #BTV. Our members dawned their ballistic helmets and vests to enter the residence while LE was still clearing the 2nd story to triage and render aid to the victims.”
“We endorsed Ted Kenney because we are tired of the excuses and would be thrilled if our ballistic gear started to collect dust and we never put it on again,” the BFFA said. “Our members are out in the streets every day: 24/7/365. We see what is happening and the results of having an abolitionist as the top prosecutor in the county.”
Several Twitter readers questioned the use of the term ‘abolitionist’ – an appropriation of a anti-slavery term applied by George and others to shutting down (“abolishing”) prisons. George is one of two directors in the Women’s Justice & Freedom Initiative. WJFI’s website says “We are an abolitionist organization, as explained in Critical Resistance’s ‘Abolition Toolkit’: “Imaging a future based on abolition means totally shifting how we think about living with one another. We must create stable communities for people to come home to even as we work to shut down all of the prisons.”
George herself denied being an abolitionist during a candidate forum in early July, but admitted she is a WJFI director and praised the organization for its good ideas.
Kenney also has been endorsed by two sitting Vermont state’s attorneys: Jim Hughes in Franklin County and Doug DiSabito of Grand Isle County. Hughes is the senior state’s attorney among the 14 in Vermont.
They were joined by former Chittenden County State’s Attorneys Lauren Bowerman and Bob Simpson in a joint statement supporting Kenney. All of the endorsers are Democrats. It is unusual for sitting State’s Attorneys – such as Hughes and DiSabito – to endorse a candidate in another county in a contested primary.
“The State’s Attorney is a county’s top law enforcement officer. As such, you are accountable to the community, victims of crime and defendants,” the statement said. “This requires working with all stakeholders to bring about lasting reform and work for justice for everyone.”
Kenney declines participation in forum sponsored by George’s organization – The ACLU-VT and the Women’s Justice & Freedom Initiative will hold a state’s attorney candidate forum Thursday, July 28. Kenney’s no-show was criticized today by liberal/progressive columnist John Walters: ” It’s disappointing. I mean, if Kenney is tough enough to clean up Chittenden County, surely he’s got the cojones (or ovaries, if you prefer) to handle a skeptical encounter with a legitimate advocacy group.”
Walters dressing-down fails to mention that WJFI is co-sponsoring the forum.
Another Soros-backed prosecutor rejected by voters – Marilyn Mosby, district attorney for Baltimore, became the latest progressive prosecutor rejected by voters at the polls. She was defeated yesterday in a Democratic primary. Chesa Boudin, San Francisco district attorney, was recalled by voters earlier this summer; George Gascon, Los Angeles district attorney, now faces a recall. All are portrayed on the ‘Meet The Movement’ page of the website of Fair and Just Prosecution, a national organization of progressive prosecutors backed by billionaire financier George Soros.