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.