Tonight Speak Out at City Council Against Excessive Police Force Toward Peaceful Vermont Protesters

[Jonathan Leavitt]

Concerned Burlington Citizens to Speak Out at City Council Against Excessive Police
Force Toward Peaceful Protesters

BURLINGTON - In response to the Burlington Police Department’s use of excessive
violence against demonstrators at the New England Governors Conference, Burlington 
citizens are pushing for an independent investigation and a return to Vermont’s long 

tradition of not using weapons against non-violent protesters. Burlington citizens will 

do a marathon reading of the entirety of Henry David Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" 

at 3pm at City Hall on Monday August 13th. This will be followed by a rally on at 5:30pm

at the site where police fired on community members, the College St. entrance to the 

Hilton, and march to the Burlington City Council meeting at City Hall. As the community 

demands accountability, many questions remain: why officers used rubber munitions 

and pepper spray on a peaceful Vermonter's engaged in civil disobedience; why the 

Mayor stood behind the violence towards his own citizens before an investigation had 

even been started, why expired munitions were fired and weapons were not discharged

according to manufacturer guidelines; why the police department which shot citizens 

is permitted to investigate itself; and why police officers have chosen to be in the media

making statements that have later turned out to be factually incorrect rather than 

diligently and quietly focusing on conducting a thorough investigation. 

Educator and community organizer Jonathan Leavitt, who was shot 19 times by police
with rubber munitions said, “In light of the tragic police violence toward peaceful
protesters Burlington residents are coming together Monday night to call for our unique
social fabric and trust to be repaired through an independent investigation and meaningful
accountability.”

Marni Salerno, said, “I hope BPD is held accountable for their actions. If they are not,
it sets a precedent that civilians can be assaulted by officers without consequence."

What: Marathon reading of Thoreau's Civil Disobedience, March to Burlington City Hall, 

Speak out at City Council meeting

When: Monday August 13 Marathon Thoreau reading at 3pm, the march begins at 5:30 

and the City Council speakout at 7:00 PM

Where: The marathon Thoreau reading is at City Hall. The march starts at the Hilton Hotel 

and the culminates with at City Hall with the speak out during City Council.