Senate leaders call for governor to stop allowing feds to house detainees in VT prisons
by Guy Page
In response to the Monday morning arrest in Colchester of part-time West Fairlee resident and Columbia University Palestinian activist-organizer Mohsen Mahdawi, Senate leaders Tuesday afternoon called for Phil Scott to not allow the federal government to hold detainees in Vermont prisons.
Mahdawi is reportedly being held in a Vermont prison while in federal custody. Federal detainees are typically held in Vermont prisons, per an agreement between the federal government and the State of Vermont.
About an hour later, Scott released this statement:
“Yesterday Vermonters witnessed the arrest of Mohsen Mahdawi, a foreign national with legal status to be in the United States of America. That legal status, the Bill of Rights, and Constitution of the United States all grant him, and all people, fundamental rights – including due process.
“Facts matter. If there is evidence that Mahdawi is a threat to the security of our nation, or Vermont, the federal government should make this information known, immediately. Probable cause based on real evidence is the only justification to deny someone their liberty, so if the federal government cannot produce that evidence, Mr. Mahdawi should be released.
“What cannot be justified, is how this action was undertaken. Law enforcement officers in this country should not operate in the shadows or hide behind masks.
“The power of the executive branch of the federal government is immense, but it is not infinite, and it is not absolute. We will remain in contact with the congressional delegation as we all seek further clarification of the facts in this case.”
In one video segment: Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D-Chittenden) describes what Vermont elected officials have already done to protest the arrest of Mohsen Mahdawi, a Columbia University Palestinian activist and organizer, in Colchester on Monday. Sen. Becca White (D-Windsor) said she was there when authorities took Mahdawi away and that they refused her request to say who they are.
Senate Pro Tem Phil Baruth (D-Chittenden) characterizes the arrest, as well as actions taken against law firms and others, as ‘authoritarian’ and ‘fascist.’ Baruth is asked (by VDC) if such characterizations and complaining about the arrest is likely to draw unwanted attention to Vermont. He said he refuses to ‘keep his head down.’
In another video segment from the press conference, Sen. Becca White (D-Windsor) rebukes your VDC editor for reporting on Mahdawi’s background, including his pledge to revenge himself on Israel and his support and ’empathy’ for Hamas after the October 7, 2023 surprise attack that killed more than 1,000 Israelis, including 45 Americans. Mahdawi made these statements on camera on the CBS news program 60 Minutes.
White: “I don’t know where you’re getting your information…”
VDC: “60 Minutes.”
White (excerpt): “Okay, that’s what we’re going to experience with any individual who is being targeted. They’re going to tell you that this person is a terrorist. They’re going to tell you that this person is dangerous. And they’re going to tell you that this person is connected to an organization. And that is not accurate information. Mohsen is an individual who lives in White River Junction. He is a peacemaker, he is a bridge builder, he is a community leader, and any attempt to decry him as a terrorist, that would be a thing you would do in due process…So I don’t think it’s appropriate for you as a member of the media to promote that without substantiating it.”
In a third video segment, Ram Hinsdale says the governor’s continued cooperation with federal authorities “is making our communities less safe.”
