By Guy Page
The state senator who in April advocated strongly for the release of detainee Mohsen Mahdawi in April was heard chanting “F— Ice” at a Labor Day rally September 1 in Chester.
According to several witnesses watching from a nearby hotel porch, including Chester GOP Chair Roy Spaulding, Sen. Becca White (D-Windsor) repeatedly spoke the phrase into a microphone during the rally, encouraging others to join in – which many did.
At the same event, promoted by the Chester Democratic Committee, White (and Sen. Joe Major and local Rep. Heather Chase) posed for a selfie with an unidentified man wearing an “Is He Dead Yet?” t-shirt. The shirt is identified with the sentiment of wishing the death of President Donald Trump. Major has since said he was unaware of the message on the shirt.
After VDC published the t-shirt photo and news story on September 18, several rally watchers, including Spaulding informed VDC of White’s profane statement.
White herself noted the observers in a Labor Day rally selfie: “the Trump dudes back there stalking the protest listened to my entire speech.” VDC today emailed White to confirm or deny whether she made the statement, and offered to publish any of her comments on the subject.
The F-bomb has been the source of some discussion on Facebook and in the comments section of the Chester Telegraph, the online news publication covering Chester and surrounding towns.
“Not sure why Senator Becka had to use the F-bomb which could be heard by the kids and people who live near the green,” Randy Miles said in a Chester Telegraph comment. Several supporters of White noted the same word has been used in public statements about former Pres. Joe Biden, and that Trump also uses profane language.
In April, White accompanied pro-Palestinian protester and immigrant Mohsen Mahdawi to a meeting with immigration authorities in Colchester, where he was detained. White argued vociferously with the officers who detained him and then helped facilitate a Vermont State House press conference where Mahdawi, after his release, spoke about being “kidnapped.”
Mahdawi has since returned to Columbia University in New York City to pursue graduate studies.
Other Windsor County legislators present with White (at left) at the press conference in support of Hartford resident Mahdawi were Sen. Major (second from right) and Rep. John Bartholomew (at right).
Mahdawi’s court case fighting deportation is before the Second Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals.
In May, Vermont was designated as a sanctuary jurisdiction by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Governor Scott has insisted Vermont is in compliance with federal immigration law regarding sanctuary cities and states.
