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Five now face federal charges stemming from February protest at Williston ICE facility
WCAX • • nation
Key Points:
- Five individuals involved in a February protest at a Department of Homeland Security facility in Vermont now face federal charges for knowingly obstructing access to the building.
- The protesters blocked building entrances with their bodies and ignored police orders to disperse, posing safety risks; some returned multiple times to repeat the actions.
- Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark has also pressed state charges after local prosecutors declined to prosecute, with all 12 protesters pleading not guilty to misdemeanor unlawful trespass.
- One protester, Roan Wade, stated the demonstrations target ICE enforcement and aim to pressure property managers to end their lease with ICE, describing the protests as a form of harm reduction.
- If convicted federally, the five protesters could face up to 30 days in jail and fines of $5,000; court dates have yet to be scheduled.
