►
From YouTube: Abolish Slavery VT Launch 2.0
Description
From VIA and VTRJA:
After the Primary elections are over VIA and our partner Vermont Racial Justice Alliance are gearing up our Prop 2 campaign to abolish slavery, no exceptions.
This virtual event features a research report reminding us of the history of the Vermont constitution and slavery, testimonies from those who have pledged to vote in favor of Prop 2, and inspiration to motivate you to see this through to the finish line in November!
8/11/2022
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This video belongs to http://www.cctv.org and published with permission under Creative Commons License CCTV Center for Media & Democracy Programming is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
A
Welcome
everyone
to
the
launch
of
the
2.0
of
about
a
slavery,
VT
campaign.
This
is
a
joint
effort
of
the
Vermont
racial
Justice
Alliance,
as
well
as
the
Interfaith
action.
My
name
is
Reverend
Mark
Hughes
I'm,
the
executive
director
of
Vermont
racial
Justice
Alliance,
so
I'm
going
to
be
your
MC
this
evening.
A
A
When
then,
the
the
organization
called
Justice
for
All,
which
I
was
the
executive,
which
I
am
the
executive
director
of,
is
the
C4
I
was
doing
work
in
our
legislature
here
in
Vermont,
one
of
the
things
that
came
to
my
attention
was
is
it
seemed
as
though
we
were
always
trying
to
win
we're,
always
trying
to
figure
out
how
to
change
policies
that
were
that
were
causing
us
challenges
or
trying
to
figure
out?
How
do
we
create
new
policies?
And
so
the
research
led
us
to
the
Constitution.
A
We
began
to
ask
one
another
where
in
the
Constitution
are
we
protected
and
not
too
long?
In
that,
in
that
research
began
to
see
in
the
Constitution
that
the
that
the
constitution
did,
in
fact
here
in
Vermont
have
three
exception:
clauses
three
exception,
Clauses
to
that
that
actually
permits
slavery,
so
that's
kind
of
where
some
of
this
work
started
just
want
to.
Let
you
know
that
you
know
along
the
way.
A
It's
just
been
amazing
how
you
know,
there's
just
been
a
Divine
appointment,
how
Reverend
Ingram
Debbie
Ingram
was
positioned
right
at
the
right
time
and
in
the
right
place
when,
when
we
were
preparing
to
get
this
work
happening
every
step
along
the
way
there's
been,
you
know
and
I'll
tell
you
more
about
you
know,
we'll
tell
you
more
about
the
history
and
the
background
in
the
story
later,
but
every
step
along
the
way.
It's
just
been
interesting,
it's
been
twisty
and
turning
it's
been
fun.
A
It's
been
challenging,
it's
been
frustrating,
but
now
here
we
are
and
we're
in
the
fourth
quarter.
I'm
excited
I'm.
Also
excited
you
know,
we're
my
faith
intersects
with
truth
and
Justice
and
to
be
in
a
place
like
this
and
at
a
time
like
this
I,
don't
think
that
at
any
other
time
in
history
that
anybody
has
been
in
a
place
in
a
time
that
we
are
in
today
together
right
now,
let
me
tell
you
what
I
mean
by
that.
A
A
What
we
also
know
is:
is
that
we're
at
a
place
in
history
at
an
unprecedented
time
when
we're
not
going
to
talk
about
all
of
the
other
things
that
are
going
on
around
us,
the
things
you
know,
please
turn
the
TV
off
right.
Now,
don't
pay
any
attention
to
that
because
we'll
get
to
that
later,
you
can
handle
that
later,
but
but
there
are
so
many
things
that
are
happening
right
now
and
I
think
I
heard
somebody
say
what
a
time
to
be
alive,
what
a
time
to
be
alive.
A
You
know
right
now,
they're
the
the
likelihood
Earl
of
somebody
being
alive
at
this
time.
You
know
if
you
think
about
all
of
our
children,
their
children,
their
children,
if
you
think
about
our
parents,
our
grandparents,
their
their
parents
and
all
that
other
stuff,
I'm
I'm,
trying
to
get
you
fired
up,
but
I
shouldn't
have
to
work
very
hard.
What
a
time
to
be
alive
right
now,
this
we
are
on
a
precipice
of
something
that
is
so
amazing
right
now
we
are
doing
things
right
now
that
are
so
unprecedented.
A
We
are
making
changes
right
now,
as
as
people
right
now,
as
what
we're
doing
is
we're
affecting
policy
we're
affecting
things
that
are
going
to
have
generational
change
that
happen
there.
There
is
going
to
be
something:
that's
cascading
from
the
work
that
we're
doing
not
just
this
work
alone,
but
but
this
right
here
I
mean:
what
more
can
you
do?
If
you
want
to
create
systemic
and
institutional
change,
then.
A
B
A
Don't
know
what
it
means.
Why
are
you
so
excited
about
that,
sir?
Why
does
that
bother
you
so
much
that
we're
having
a
constitution
that
we're
having
a
constitutional
amendment
rhetorically
a
constitutional
amendment,
to
abolish
slavery?
Could
it
be
that
the
last
time
this
country
sought
to
obali
slavery
that
620
000
people
died
over
it?
A
This
is
a
big
deal.
You
know,
so
we
can't
take
the
institution
lightly.
We
can't
take
the
institution
of
slavery
lightly,
so
I
just
want
to
congratulate
you
guys.
Every
single
person
and
the
folks
that
are
not
are
are
on
here,
I'm,
so
proud
of
all
of
you
guys
who
are
on
here
tonight
the
work
that
you've
done.
The
work
that
you've
committed
to
the
work
that
we're
gonna
all
have
the
opportunity
to
do
together
as
we
hold
hands
and
as
we
move
forward
together,
black
white,
yellow,
green
Presbyterian,
Catholic,
Muslim,
Jew
I.
A
A
This
Quagmire
of
systemic
racism,
this
this
the
challenges
that
we're
facing
with
the
the
consistent
and
persistent
and
Insidious
outcomes
that
we
see
of
all
social
determinants
that
consistently
produce
racially
disparate
outcomes
to
our
brothers
and
sisters,
I
heard
I,
think
I
heard
it
I
think
it
was
the
Reverend
William
Barber.
He
said
he
said:
Somebody's
hurting
my
brother
and
it's
gone
on
far
too
long.
Is
that
what
they
said
Earl
he
said
it's
going
on
far
too
long
and
and
he
said,
and
we
won't
Earl.
Can
you
help
me
how's?
A
That
can
just
take
yourself
off
mute
for
a
minute
and
we
won't
be
silent
anymore
and
we
won't
be
silent
anymore.
How
many
people
believe
that
tonight
how
many
people
are
ready
to
go?
How
many
people
are
ready
to
move
forward
if
you're
ready
to
move
forward
just
wave
your
hand
tonight,
if
you're
ready
to
move
forward
just
give
a
shout
tonight,
I,
don't
even
care.
If
I
hear
you
or
not
just
give
a
shout
say:
let's
go
another
thing.
He
says
forward
together
and
what
does
this?
A
What
do
they
say
after
that
Earth
when
they
say
not?
One
step
back
is
what
he
says.
So,
let's
go
folks,
let's
go
tonight.
Let's
get
this
done.
It's
credential
in
time
we're
a
couple
minutes
ahead
of
schedule,
but
that's
how
we
roll
so
it's
credential
in
time.
It's
customary
at
Vermont,
Interfaith
action
events
to
provide
credentials
that
just
simply
explain
what
organization,
what
what
an
organization
is
and
and
what
his
purpose
is:
I'd
like
to
invite
Reverend,
Josh,
Simon
I'll.
D
Of
course,
nice
to
see
all
you
kings
and
queens
all
right:
Adam
Isaac,
Owusu,
the
director
of
community
engagement
and
support
for
the
Vermont
racial
Justice
Alliance.
Our
mission
is
to
secure
sustainable
power,
ensure
agency
and
provide
security
for
African
descendants
of
slavery
while
embracing
their
history
and
preserving
their
culture
and
carry
out
this
working
four
pillars.
D
First,
one
being
platforms
and
initiatives
which
include
the
reason
why
you
guys
are
all
here
today
about
the
slavery
racism
is
a
public
health,
emergency
and
various
other
works
such
as
Champlain
Parkway
and
Etc,
our
the
second
being
Outreach
and
education.
Our
Thursday
night
about
the
slavery
Zoom
calls
with
the
about
your
slavery,
Network
Max,
Youssef
I'll,
see
you
in
the
building
definition
of
systemic
racism,
economics
or
systemic
racism.
D
D
Lastly,
cultural,
empowerment,
Richard
Kemps
I,
know
that
we
just
stood
up
this
year.
We
hope
all
you
guys
can
join
us
at
some
point,
our
Wellness
working
group
and,
last
but
not
least,
August
27th,
first
African
Landing
day.
We
hope
to
see
some
of
you
guys
faces.
Our
mission
is
an
intentional
response
to
systemic
racism
in
the
United
States,
and
the
reason
why
you
are
all
here
today
is
because
you
are
aware
you
are
the
change,
whether
you
know
it
now
or
not.
This
is
a
Monumental
step
towards
changing
systemic
racism.
A
E
Hello,
my
name
is
Josh
I'm,
a
member
of
on
the
associate
pastor
at
First,
Congregational
Church
in
Essex
Junction
I'm,
also
on
the
Board
of
via,
is
a
service
board.
President
Vermont
Interfaith
action
is
a
coalition
of
more
than
70
congregations
and
individual
persons
of
Faith
who
work
together
to
affect
systemic
change,
around
social,
social
justice
issues
facing
our
communities
and
our
state.
All
together,
we
represent
about
16
000
people
in
the
way
that
we
affect
systemic
change
is
by
being
aware
of
our
power
each
one
of
us.
E
Several
hundred
thousand
people
in
the
States,
but
you
have
power
to
affect
change
among
the
ways
that
we
affect
change,
is
by
showing
up.
So
thank
you
for
showing
up.
Another
way
is
by
advocating
to
our
state
legislators
on
behalf
of
ourselves
and
behalf
on
behalf
of
people
who
are
who
do
not
benefit
from
our
system
and
and
in
fact,
probably
are
taking,
are
disadvantaged
by
our
system.
E
A
Josh,
thank
you
Isaac.
Thank
you
as
well.
We
are
going
to
keep
it
moving
right
now.
I'm
gonna,
we're
gonna,
take
a
little
time
and
looks
like
we
are
almost
right
on
schedule.
Just
tell
you
a
little
bit
about
proposal
too.
A
little
bit
about
proposal
too.
I
know
that
there
are
everybody
on
here
is
already
an
expert.
I
know
you
guys
are
already
done
your
homework
and
everybody
has
figured
out
what
this
thing
is
all
about.
A
So
what
I'm
going
to
do
is
I'm
going
to
keep
it
out
of
the
bushes
and
tell
you
just
a
little
bit
about
you
know
where
we're
coming
from
and
what's
Happening
Here.
What
we
know
is
is
that
you
know
here
within
the
the
state
of
Vermont
that
there
has
been
quite
the
quite
the
hoopla
about
you
know
who
we
are
in
in
our
our
I'm,
just
going
to
say.
A
Exceptionalism
we've
talked
a
lot
about
the
fact
that
we
have
been
the
first
state
to
abolish
slavery
and
I.
Think
now
it's
time
for
us
to
change
the
narrative,
because
what
we've
discovered
along
the
way-
and
we
didn't
realize
it
before
was-
is
that
that's
just
simply
not
the
case.
The
facts
just
don't
bear
it
out
in
the
analysis
that
we've
done
and
that's
what
we've
done
is
we've
done
our
job
and
we've
done
the
analysis.
We
know
about
the
Constitution
being
written
in
1777.
A
We
know
that
reminders
have
been
taught
what
they've
been
taught,
but
I
don't
know.
What's
on
the
next
slide,
but
I
think
we
don't
really
need
this
slide,
though
we
can
keep
it
going.
But
here
is
the
Constitution
itself
and
I
think
just
to
make
it
very
clear
is
is
when
we
I
told
you
it
took
about
I,
think
I
I've
always
said
it
takes
about
23
seconds
to
discover
that
slavery
was
never
abolished
in
the
state.
A
As
we
talk
about
the
introduction
to
proposal
to
I.
Just
think
it's
important
for
us
to
stand
on
the
fact
that
the
language
does
not
support
The
Narrative,
that
we
were
the
first
state
to
abolish
slavery.
So
all
we
all
we
got
to
do
is
just
take
a
look
here
and
we
see
that
person's
born
equally
free
and
independent
and
have
certain
natural
inherent
and
unalienable
rights
amongst
which
are
enjoying
and
defending
of
life
and
Liberty
acquiring
and
possessing,
and
protecting
property
and
pursuing
and
obtaining
happiness
and
safety.
A
Therefore,
no
person
born
in
this
country
or
brought
from
overseas
ought
to
be
holding
by
law
to
serve
any
person
as
servant
slave
or
Apprentice
after
arriving
to
the
age
of
21
years,
unless
Bound
by
the
person's
own
consent,
after
arriving
to
such
age
or
Bound
by
the
law
for
payments
of
debts
and
damages
fines
and
costs
and
the
like,
and
the
reason
why
we
have
those
different
colors.
There
is
just
to
communicate
the
various
ways
in
which
slavery
is
actually
permitted.
A
I
think
it
it
should
also
be
stated
at
this
point
is:
is
that
in
1777,
no
other
our
state
in
the
United
States
had
a
constitution
that
had
any
language
that
permitted
or
denied
language
or
denied
rather
slavery.
So
Vermont
was
the
first
state
in
the
United
States
to
have
any
language
concerning
slavery
whatsoever
and
and
what
they
did
with
that
language
was
created.
A
These
three
exception
Clauses
to
permit
slavery,
so
just
to
be
very,
very
clear:
there
were
three
states
and
one
territory
that
would
go
on
to
create
what
we
refer
to
as
exception:
Clause
Clauses
or
loopholes
within
their
constitutions
as
well.
They
were
Oregon,
Ohio
and
I,
believe
Alabama
and
then
I
think
the
Northwest
Territory
will
come
later.
So
these
are
the
three
exception
Clauses
that
were
permitted
and
the
reason
why
we
have
this
conversation
is,
you
know,
unlike
perhaps
almost
half
of
America.
A
We
have
to
deal
with
facts
in
order
to
really
create
a
premise
upon
what
it
is,
we're
doing
the
work
the
work
is
I'm
in
the
Constitution.
The
work
is
amend
the
Constitution.
If
there's
nothing,
there's
if
there's
no
reason
to
amend
it,
then
it
certainly
would
not
have
made
it
through
the
legislature
two
times
and
it
definitely
would
not
be
up
for
on
the
ballot
today.
So,
just
as
we
as
I
enter
as
we
introduce
you
to
this
today,
just
embrace
the
fact
that
yes,
it's
necessary.
No,
it
is.
A
It
is
not
just
about
one
of
those
feel-good
things
that
we're
doing,
because
the
language
reflects
the
institution
of
slavery
and
what
we
know
about
the
institution
of
slavery
is
it
has
done
a
tremendous
amount
of
harm
to
us
as
a
nation,
so
it
is.
It
is
imperative
that
we
amend
this
constitution
to
remove
this,
to
prohibit
slavery
and
indenture
servitude.
So
just
so
we
know
it's
not!
It's
not
symbolic.
It's
very,
very
important
that
we
address
this
language,
because
it's
not
just
uncomfortable
in
inappropriate
language.
A
What
happened
was
it
still
was
not
abolished,
not
even
in
on
a
federal
level.
Now
don't
feel
embarrassed
and
don't
feel
uncomfortable
with
this,
because
our
numbers
tell
us
that
78
of
people
in
the
United
States
do
not
know
what
I'm
about
to
tell
you,
and
that
is,
is
that
slavery
or
involuntary
servitude,
except
for
the
punishment
for
Crime,
where
of
a
party
shall
been
duly
convicted,
shall
exist
within
the
United
States
or
any
place
subject
to
their
jurisdiction.
A
Neither
slavery
nor
involuntary
servitude,
and
what
that
means
is,
is
that
for
the
last
157
years,
much
of
many
of
us
as
a
nation
we've
believed
that
slavery
was
prohibited
even
on
a
national
level,
and
it
was
not
Shadow.
Slavery
was
but
State
and
prison
slavery
was
instituted
in
Vermont
has
been
silent
for
the
last
157
years
on
this
matter
as
well.
A
A
So
my
colleague
Max
tells
me
that
this
is
referred
to
in
in
his
world
as
a
butterfly
effect.
In
fact,
what
we
are
renowned
for
as
hard
as
it
is
for
us
to
embrace
is,
is
that
we
were
the.
We
were
the
first
state
in
the
United
States
to
create
a
domino
effect
that
would
Institute
exception
Clauses
across
multiple
States
up
to
25
states
where
in
which
this
undergirded
the
institution
of
convict
leasing.
It
started
here
in
our
state
in
Vermont.
A
A
Don't
I,
don't
want
to
take
this
thing
too
far
and
I
certainly
don't
want
to
push
the
time
on
this,
but
I
I
think
it's
very,
very
important
to
understand
that
the
proposal
all
it
does
is
it
just
proposes
that
slavery
and
indentured
servitude
in
any
form
are
prohibited.
That
is
all
so
all
of
the
bad
language
that
we
were
talking
about
that
language.
That's
that
did
so
much
across
such
a
long
period
of
time.
245
years
we
will
strike,
and
we
will
replace
that
with
this
this
language.
A
A
So,
as
we
have
already
began
to
disentangle
many
policies,
you've
seen
the
Health
Equity
bill
this
last
year,
you've
seen
the
economic
equity
bill
which
stayed
on
the
wall.
You
saw
the
the
joint
resolution
which
we
call
out
r113
the
joint
legislative
resolution
declaring
racism
as
a
Public,
Health
Emergency
you've
seen
the
racial
disparities
in
the
criminal
Juvenile
Justice
System
advisory
panel
you've
seen
the
appointment
of
the
racial
Equity
executive
director
and
other
work
in
the
City
of
Burlington.
A
The
work
must
go
on,
but
now
we've
found
the
foundation
of
it,
and
this
is
where
the
action
starts
so
I.
Thank
you.
Thank
you
for
your
time.
What
we're
going
to
do
is
we're
going
to
move
on
I'd
like
to
invite
right
now
and
recognize
some
folks
tonight
for
for
a
road
for
a
roll
call.
I
want
to
recognize
who's
here
tonight
in
conducting
the
road
the
roll
call.
We've
got
a
number
of
folks
that
are
on
the
call
Debbie.
G
Got
it?
Thank
you
very
much
I'm
happy
to
help
with
this,
and
the
reason
this
is
really
important
tonight
is
that
this
really
important
message
that
Mark
is
really
capsulated
for
us.
We
are
representing
communities
to
bring
that
message
to
with
Clarity.
So
this
is
the
way
for
us
to
celebrate
that
and
make
record
of
it
so
I'm
going.
My
name
is
Lucy
Samara
I'm,
a
member
of
the
local
organizing
Ministry
for
Public
Safety,
with
via
and
a
member
of
First
Congregational
Church
of
Burlington
United
Church
of
Christ.
G
When
you
hear
your
community's
name
called
I,
want
you
to
unmute
yourself
and
make
some
glorious
noise,
some
noise
of
commitment,
some
noise
of
joy,
that
you
represent
a
community
that
you're
going
to
really
make
a
very
aware
of
this
issue.
So
this
passes
in
November,
Christchurch,
Presbyterian,
yay,
Good,
Shepherd,
Episcopal
and
Berry
abolish
slavery.
Now
yay
Congregation
of
Temple
Sinai
College,
Street,
Congregational
Church
in
Burlington,
Christ's
Episcopal,
Church
of
Montpelier
Unitarian
Church
of
Montpelier.
Yes,.
G
I
G
G
J
B
A
F
Yes,
so
I've
done
this
presentation
in
a
good
many
of
our
congregations
across
the
state
and
what
what
it
attempts
to
do
is
kind
of
explain
a
little
bit
about
the
the
history
of
slavery
in
our
country
and
and
then
talk
about
how
that
Legacy
has
been
carried
with
us
really
up
until
the
present
day
and
and
the
ramifications
of
that
and
then
talk
about
the
Vermont
situation
specifically
and
what
we
can,
what
we
can
do
about
it
going
forward.
So
this
is
some.
F
F
Several
million
additional
persons
didn't
survive.
The
journey
we've
all
seen
the
the
the
horror
of
the
the
ships
people
dying
from
the
brutality
inflicted
on
them
from
malnourishments
from
disease.
Some
years
there
was
an
estimated
23
percent
of
those
transported
who
did
not
survive,
and
so
from
the
time
of
the
Vermont
Constitution
being
written
throughout
the
Civil
War
there
were.
There
was
an
attempt
to
to
abolish
slavery,
but,
as
we've
already
seen
as
Mark
has
already
pointed
out,
these
attempts
were
had
exceptions
every
every
one
of
them.
F
F
But
nonetheless,
regardless
of
the
fact
that
there
was
some
of
that
formalized
in
reconstruction,
there
were
still
this
Insidious
evil
of
racism
and
creating
some
way
to
basically
enslave
people.
Even
if
chattel
slavery
no
longer
existed
so
Black
Codes
were
established
that
imprisoned
black
people
for
vagrancy,
loitering
and
petty
theft.
F
Black
people
were
not
able
to
rent
housing
or
buy
land,
and
they
were
paid
a
pittance
for
their
labor.
Adults
were
forced
into
annual
labor
contracts
and
children
into
what
were
called
apprenticeships.
So
essentially,
folks,
who
had
quote
unquote,
been
freed
from
the
plantation
life
that
they
had
undergone,
really
had
no
choice
but
to
go
back
to
to
that
same
kind
of
work.
F
They
they
worked
in
the
same
kind
of
conditions,
just
under
a
different
name,
but
it
was
exactly
they
were
treated
horribly,
so
the
14th
Amendment
also
was
part
of
reconstruction,
which
we
would
have
thought
would
would
have
been
a
good
thing.
It
granted
citizenship
and
equal
protection
under
the
law
to
all
persons
born
or
naturalized
in
the
United
States,
including
former
enslaved
persons.
But
as
we've
seen
in
our
era,
the
Supreme
Court
basically
overturned
this.
The
this
good
Amendment.
F
The
rulings
in
1883
stated
that
this
amendment
and
the
13th
Amendment
were
not
infringed
by
uncodified
racial
discrimination,
so
essentially
discrimination
could
not
be
constitutionally
prohibited.
This
is
what
the
Supreme
Court
of
the
time
ruled
in
a
in
an
eight
to
one
in
181
rulings,
so
that
opened
the
way
for
the
Jim
Crow
laws
that
we're
all
familiar
with
segregation
in
every
realm.
Parks
restaurants,
theaters
buses,
public
pools,
hospitals,
schools,
everywhere,
marriage
and
cohabitation
among
blacks
and
whites
were
prohibited.
F
Black
people
could
not
register
to
vote,
and
this
was
prevalent.
This
started
in
the
South,
but
it
became
prevalent
in
every
region
of
the
country,
and
so
this
idea
about
convicts
leasing
gave
way
then
to
under
underpaid
or
unpaid
labor
by
prisoners,
and
incarceration
really
can
be
argued
to
be
a
form
of
of
slavery.
Black
people
are
disproportionately
affected
by
this
practice.
They
are
incarcerated
at
6.4
times
the
rate
of
whites.
F
Also,
the
private
prison
industry,
just
the
just
the
concept
of
some
people
making
money
off
of
the
imprisonment
of
other
people
can
certainly
be
argued
to
be
a
type
of
slavery
and
then
sending
prisoners
to
other
states
can
be
viewed.
Viewed
as
human
trafficking
and
Vermont
does
this,
we
send
some
of
our
prisoners
to
the
state
of
Mississippi
to
a
private
prison
every
year.
F
Another
way
that
we
have
substituted
another
horrible
Institution
for
the
institution
of
chattel
slavery.
Another
way
that
essentially
black
people
are
enslaved
in
modern
times
is,
is
through
poverty.
This
this
graph
shows
the
poverty
rate
by
race
from
1959
to
2019
and
you'll,
see
that
the
highest
poverty
rate
is
for
is
for
black
people
at
more
than
double
what
it
is
for
for
whites,
and
then
this
is
another
way
of
measuring
poverty.
F
So
there's
a
huge
disparity
there
and
this
racial
wealth
Gap
has
been
caused
by
by
very
deliberate
mechanisms
like
a
racially
restrictive
covenants
and
land
and
housing
Deeds
by
the
practice
of
redlining
that
prevented
mortgages
from
being
issued
to
Black
Americans
by
the
lack
of
access
to
the
GI
bill,
which
helps
people
buy
houses
and
helps
them
to
get
an
education.
Many
black
people
were
locked
out
of
that.
F
F
F
The
percentage
of
the
population
at
or
below
poverty
level
is
25.9
versus
10.4
for
whites
in
Vermont.
The
unemployment
rate
is,
is
higher
4.4
compared
to
3.5,
and
this
is
housing
data.
If
you
just
look
at
the
two
bars
on
the
far
left,
you'll
see
that
it's
just
about
reversed
in
terms
of
ability
to
own
homes.
In
Vermont,
white
people,
72
percent
of
white
people,
white
vermonters
are
able
to
own
their
own
home,
whereas
only
24
percent
of
black
vermonters
are
so.
F
You'll
see
it's
widespread,
you
know
all
over
the
country
and
they
abolished
slavery.
National
network
has
has
been
at
the
Forefront
of
this
movement
to
help
States
and
to
bring
States
together
to
address.
This
four
states
have
already
abolished
slavery
in
their
constitutions,
Rhode
Island,
Colorado,
Nebraska
and
Utah.
Other
states,
besides
Vermont,
are
in
process
of
this
Oregon
Tennessee
Louisiana
California,
and
there
are
others
also
that
are
trying
to
get
measures
like
this
on
their
ballots.
F
So
there
truly
is
a
movement
and
then,
in
terms
of
talking
about
the
other
ramifications
and
impact
of
of
our
Legacy
of
slavery,
the
U.N
has
has
made
statements
about
about
systemic
racism.
Systemic
racism
exists
in
the
United
States
and
that
we
remain
chronically
segregated
society
and
there's
there's
there's
proof
there
in
many
different
many
different
forms
and
their
concluding
statement
then,
is
that
these
shameful
statistics
can
only
be
explained
by
long-standing
structural
discrimination
on
the
basis
of
race,
reflecting
the
enduring
Legacy
of
slavery.
F
So
there
there
is
some
progress
on
that
front,
we're
glad
to
say
and
but
that
what
we
would
be
doing
with
amending
our
constitution
would
be
really
moving,
that
bar,
even
higher
and
and
and
and
continuing
to
to
Really
push
the
idea
that
we
need
to.
We
acknowledge
that
there
is
great
inequity
to
acknowledge
that
there
is
systemic
racism
by
by
implication
and
that
we
really
want
to
try
to
try
to
do
something
about
that,
and
so
this
outlines
the
process
it.
F
F
You
know
the
broader
picture
that
I've
just
laid
out
to
you
that
you
know
Channel
slavery
is
the
precursor
of
slavery
and
other
forms
that
systemic
racism
exists
today
and
we
have
to
acknowledge.
It
came
from
the
legacy
of
slavery
and
then
you
know
also
any
system
of
Oppression
harms
the
oppressed
and
the
oppressor.
Vermont
is
mostly
a
white
State.
A
lot
of
us
here
tonight
are
white
people,
but
even
as
the
as
the
oppressor.
F
A
Now
the
time
has
come
for
our
stories,
and
this
is
it's
a
great
opportunity
for
me
to
introduce
you
to
a
few
folks.
Who've
come
to
share
some
stories
every
day.
Folks
is
like
what
we
like
to
say:
not
to
diminish
or
demean
anyone,
but
we're
all
everyday
folks.
Aren't
we
to
support
the
abolished
slavery
campaign,
so
I
think
first
we'd
like
to
introduce
if
you're
here,
Carla
Kelly,
are
you
here.
E
J
About
that,
thank
you
thanks.
Thanks,
I
have
to
be
down
to
Amtrak
pretty
soon
I
at
one
of
our
meetings.
Melissa
mentioned
a
comment
by
someone
that
it's
time
to
move
from
Comfort
into
action
and
I.
Guess
that's
really
the
essence
of
my
story
as
a
white
person
I'm
very
happy
to
support
this
campaign,
partly
because
it's
a
sponsor
it's
across
racial
campaign.
J
It's
sponsored
by
two
organizations,
one
a
black
LED
organization,
the
Vermont
racial
Justice
Alliance
and
the
other
white
LED
organization
under
Debbie's
leadership,
Vermont,
Interfaith,
action
and
I
think
that
is
to
me.
That
was
really
important,
that
we
don't
have
that
many
opportunities
for
a
joint
action
and
I
think
in
the
future.
We're
going
to
increasingly
need
that
as
we
fight
against
some
of
these
forces
of
Oppression
in
our
society.
J
So
you
know
I
I'm,
not
going
to
repeat
all
the
things
that
Debbie
said:
they're
really
important
and
things
that
we've
all
been
learning
I'm,
just
very
happy
to
be
part
of
this
campaign
and
I
want
to
say.
Moving
from
Comfort
to
action
is
not
an
easy
thing.
It's
you
know,
it's
been
hard
and
it
was
really
scary
for
me,
but
by
gosh
I
did
it
and
I'm
gonna
do
it
again
and
the
tabling
is
is
really
an
interesting
opportunity
to
meet
so
many
people
and
to
hear
their
points
of
view.
A
Thank
you
so
much
Barbara.
It
is
good
to
see
you
and
thank
you
for
your
for
your
story
and
I
know.
You're
gonna
have
to
take
off
but
stay
as
long
as
you
can.
Please
I
think
we
want
to
go
now.
Am
I
right
to
go
to
Carla,
Kelly
I'm
I'm
almost
afraid
to
do
it
now,
because
I
feel,
like
I,
didn't
get
the
memo
last
time.
K
Hello
good
evening,
everybody
I
kind
of
an
honor
and
a
privilege
to
be
among
you
guys,
new
to
Vermont,
but
I'm,
not
a
stranger
when
it
comes
to
fighting
certain
things
for
social
justice.
In
regards
to
this
situation,
I
was
the
young
lady
that
helped
out
on
the
Juneteenth,
and
some
of
the
broadcasters
had
questioned
me
yeah
your
words,
Mark
I'm
good
trouble,
I'm
gonna
trouble
across
the
board
I'm
grateful
to
be
here
fighting
a
good
cause
in
the
northern
New
Jersey.
K
We
don't
hear
about
that
too
much,
because
we
intermingle
everybody
with
everybody,
you
know
and
also
in
Bridgeport.
We
don't
hear
about
this
because
everybody's
with
somebody
interracially
and
we
all
are
connected
by
one
thing
by
the
color
of
blood
which
is
red,
so
we're
all
not
colorblind
to
this
situation,
but
I
think
at
this
time
we
are
Making
Moves
In.
K
K
They
make
friends
with
pretty
much
anybody,
so
you
figure,
okay,
everybody
knows
and
I
believe
anywhere
Beyond
going
down
towards
Massachusetts
on
down,
except
for
maybe
Maryland,
there's
no
education,
boundaries,
that's
being
presented
to
our
children
at
my
kids
ages
or
even
in
the
public
school
system,
and
it's
it's
sad,
but
it's
good,
but
it's
good
and
it's
not
it's
kind
of
bad.
Because
in
these
situations
they
would
question
me
and
they
would
ask
how
do
I
do
it
or
why
is
there
racism?
Why
are
they
saying
black
lives
matter?
K
K
You
know
anything
about
that,
but
when
it
comes
to
slavery,
I
remember
my
mom
and
my
dad
telling
me
stories
how
our
great
greats
and
aunties
and
uncles
were
in
fact,
slaves
and
still
it
went
in
one
ear
out
the
other
and
we
never
picked
up
the
conversation
again.
But
my
father,
you
know
was
a
farmer.
You
know
born
and
raised
in
North,
Carolina
and
said:
hey
I
need
to
migrate
and
do
something
better.
So
those
conversations
never
made
it
to
the
dinner
table
across
the
board
growing
up,
so
it
to
us.
K
It
was
like
okay,
it's
normal,
but
now
to
be
in
the
state
that
we
are
in
Vermont.
We
are
aware:
they're
slavery.
There
should
be
some
slavery
still
in
the
United
States
that
we
may
or
may
not
be
aware
up,
but
to
be
a
part
of
a
campaign
and
to
watch
my
two
children
that
are
here
to
listen
and
to
be
a
part
of
like
okay.
K
This
doing
this,
why
doesn't
it
says
when
what
what
timeline
was
it
and
it's
important
to
me
as
a
mom
as
a
single
mom,
to
teach
it
to
them
and
to
bring
these
conversations
up
to
them
as
a
part
of
nature?
If
you're
homeschool
never
says
it,
you
heard
it
first
at
home,
I
I'm
not
building
for
Ministry,
starts
at
home,
so
you
have
to
be
able
to
tell
your
children
at
home.
So
in
case
you
have
a
kid
that
may
or
may
not
understand
hey.
K
Why
is
slavery?
Why
is
this?
Why
is
this
being
about
us?
What's
that
saying
to
me,
that's
a
big
word,
I,
don't
understand
and
to
I
I
said
it
during
June
the
weekend
and
Juneteenth
as
well:
educate
your
children,
educate
them
because
you'll
be
it
would
be
a
world
of
hate
all
over
again
going
back
to
1960s,
1950s
and
then
and
so
on
and
so
on.
K
So
my
motto
is
to
educate
as
much
as
I
can,
whether
it
be
men,
women,
children
alike,
and
when
my
children
are
mature
enough
to
hold
it
down
and
say,
Mom
I
got
this
because
you
showed
us
how
to
do.
You
showed
us
how
to
deal
with
it
and
to
even
go
to
prop
two.
It's
important
because
they're
great
greats,
don't
haven't
lived
to
see
it.
They
have
not
they're,
not
living
to
see
it.
Unfortunately,
so
now
to
be
a
part
of
history.
K
At
this
point
of
2022,
like
you,
said,
Mark,
it's
a
great
day
to
be
alive,
so
I'm
grateful
to
be
a
part
of
it.
As
I
always
says
the
Bible
say
anything
I
find
my
hands
to
do
it's
already
going
to
be
blessed
and
thank
you
Isaac.
Thank
you.
Mark
and
some
of
y'all
met,
Debbie,
I'm,
Matt
and
a
couple
others
I'm
appreciative
for
all
of
you,
hey
I'm
here,
and
thank
you
for
having
me.
A
L
Peace,
brother
Mark
greetings
to
everybody
that
is
here.
My
name
is
Max
parthus
I
am
the
national
campaign
coordinator
for
the
abolished
slavery,
national
network
I'm,
also
the
acting
director
for
the
Paul
cuffy
abolitionist
Center
in
Sumter,
South
Carolina
and
a
member
of
the
Paul
cuffy
worship
group
among
the
friends,
there's
so
much
to
say
in
so
little
time.
L
So
I
was
asked
to
give
someone
of
a
personal
testimony
and
I'd
like
to
do
that,
and
then
I
want
to
give
you
an
update
on
where
we
are
today
in
the
National
efforts.
First
of
all,
I
do
want
to
acknowledge
that
Vermont
in
1777
did
not
abolish
slavery.
What
they
did
was
Define
the
conditions
under
which
a
human
being
and
a
U.S
citizen
could
be
turned
into
profit
property
with
Vermont.
L
It's
what
we're
doing,
even
simply
by
having
it
in
your
Constitution,
the
Federal
Constitution
and
the
other
states
that
have
it
in
their
constitution
is
a
violation
of
the
Declaration
of
Human
Rights
in
article
4,
which
abolishes
slavery
in
all
its
forms.
It
has
no
exception
for
America
to
use
it
as
a
punishment
or
a
crime.
On
a
personal
note,
I
would
like
to
put
a
face
and
some
reality
onto
the
statistics
when
we
say
that
black
people
are
incarcerated,
a.
L
Of
the
police,
the
mass
incarceration
my
family
was
at
the
heart
of
that
always
has
been.
I
am
distended
African
slaves
here
in
the
United
States
I
was
raised
by
my
great
aunt,
who
in
turn
was
raised
by
former
slaves,
who
had
left
Georgia
to
come
to
New
Jersey,
where
I
grew
up
so
I'm
one
generation
away
from
a
couple
that
were
enslaved
in
the
United
States.
L
L
Again
we
suffered
through
all
of
that
and
then
in
the
1990s
94,
with
the
Clinton
and
Biden
crime
Bill
we
saw
the
prison
industry
and
the
prison
population
go
from
in
the
1970s,
less
than
200
000
people
Nationwide
to
2.4
million
people
today,
and
the
racial
and
control
aspects
of
it
are
very
blatant.
We
have
more
black
men
who
are
in
cages
right
now
in
the
United
States
than
the
top
five
populated
African
nations
do
combined
and
they
have
nearly
600
million
Africans.
L
We
only
have
47
million
people
who
Define
themselves
as
African-American
or
black,
and
we
still
have
more
black
men
in
prisons
and
cages
today
than
all
of
they
they
have
combined.
One
in
eight
black
prisoners
throughout
the
world
are
right
here.
In
the
United
States,
there
are
more
black
men
in
prison
than
there
are
women
of
any
race,
Creed
or
colored
globally
combined,
so
it
is
definitely
affecting
the
black
population.
L
At
a
rate
that
is
astounding
and
I,
as
I
said,
was
right
at
the
heart
of
that
I
remember
in
1995
only
a
year
after
the
Clinton
crime
Bill,
where
they
incentivized
incarceration
for
states
that
would
adopt
these
new
policies
of
zero
drug
tolerance.
Three
strike
laws
mandatory
minimums
during
that
period.
L
Okay,
thank
you
very
much.
Debbie
I
knew
that
family
and
that
began
my
process
of
asking
questions
and
I
found
some
answers,
and
the
answer
is:
this
is
all
rooted
in
Badges
of
incidents
of
slavery,
stemming
from
the
exception
Clauses
of
the
13th
Amendment,
as
well
as
the
25
states
that
have
been
mentioned.
Who
adopted
this
as
a
replacement
with
chattel
slavery,
but
I'd
like
to
give
you
some
good
news.
L
As
of
our
anniversary
on
August
28th
for
the
abolished
slavery
national
network,
we
have
abolished
slavery
in
three
states
and
adding
to
that
Rhode
Island,
which
was
already
done
for
a
total
of
four.
There
are
five
states
on
the
ballot
right
now,
where
the
citizens
can
vote
to
end
slavery,
that's
of
course
Vermont
Oregon,
Tennessee
and
Alabama
and
Louisiana.
All
five
of
them
this
year
can
have
slavery
removed
from
their
state
constitutions.
L
If
the
voters
decide
that's
what
they
want
to
do,
and
in
the
coming
year
we
have
as
many
as
24
other
states
that
are
following
suit.
To
do
the
same
thing
so
supporting
prop
2
here
and
now
in
Vermont
is
the
right
thing
to
do.
It's
the
moral
thing
to
do,
and
it's
the
ethical
thing
to
do,
and
it
reminds
me
of
scripture
I,
believe
it
was
John
9
41,
where
Jesus
was
speaking
to
the
Pharisees
and
they
asked
him
if
he
thought
they
were
blind
and
he
said
if
you
were
truly
blind.
L
I
would
hold
you
blameless,
but
because
you
claim
to
see
so
well,
I
hold
you
and
blame
for
every
fault
and
failure,
and
that
drives
me
every
day,
because
I
do
see
well
just
as
well
as
you
do,
and
you
may
decide
to
turn
the
other
cheek
or
look
the
other
way.
But
you
can
never
again
say
that
you
did
not
know.
Thank
you
very
much.
A
Thank
you
very
much
for
all
of
you
who
have
told
your
stories.
Thank
you
all,
after
all
of
that,
folks
ought
to
be
fired
up
right
now,
ready
to
play
an
active
role
in
this
work
that
we're
doing
just
so.
We
can
get
this
campaign
done,
so
we
can
win
so
to
tell
you
more
about
how
you
can
get
involved.
We've
got
Melissa
Bata
in
the
house.
Hey
Melissa,
hey.
I
There
mark
thanks
so
much
for
those
of
you
who
don't
know
me.
My
name
is
Melissa
Bata
I'm,
the
deputy
director
of
Vermont
Interfaith
action
and
I
live
in
central
Vermont
outside
of
the
Capitol
in
Berry
Town
yeah.
So
we
we're
I'm
excited
I'm
excited
because,
as
of
today,
we
have
191
volunteers
signed
up
to
do
this
work,
and
that
is
amazing.
I
That's
where
we're
at
right
now
right
we're
we're
in
August.
We
have.
We
have
12
weeks
so
three
months
from
from
now
we
will
have
an
election
again
and
this
will
be
on
the
ballot
and
so
right
now
what
we're
doing
is
I'm
being
a
little
low-key
right,
I
mean
folks
kind
of
we
just
had
the
primaries
they're,
not
really
wanting
to
see
political
signs
up
so
much
they're,
not
really
wanting
to
talk
with
folks.
I
A
lot
of
folks
were
like
I
did
not
know
that
we
have
exceptions
to
slavery
in
the
State
Constitution
and
that's
horrible
that
that
our
constitution
has
now
paved
the
way
for
other
states
and
our
federal
government
to
also
make
exceptions
and
they're
saying
yes.
Of
course,
we
want
to
pledge
to
vote
Yes
on
on
Prop
2.,
with
a
few
new
volunteers.
I
We'll
also
be
Ryan
here,
who
has
been
helping
us
with
all
of
our
Tech
this
evening
will
be
helping
us
get
some
social
media
posts
that
we
can
start
posting
out
and
kind
of
ramp
up
that
to
to
have
more
social
media
posts
going
out
and
we
could
share
those
with
friends.
We
can
share
those
with
our
our
faith,
communities,
our
neighbors
and
and
have
that
going
Orion.
Are
you
trying
to
pull
up
one
right
now
or
I?
I
It's
about
the
relationships
that
we
already
have
going
on
those
relationships
and
those
ties
and
telling
folks
about
prop
2,
letting
our
neighbors
know
letting
our
family
members
who
are
who
are
vermonters
and
can
vote
in
Vermont,
letting
them
know
letting
our
congregation
members
know
telling
other
people
about
prop
2
I
mean
you
all
know.
What
happens
you
go
to
the
ballot.
You
see
something
or
you
go
to
the
polls
about.
I
You
see
something
on
the
ballot
that
you
don't
really
understand,
and
you
just
skip
it
or
you
want
to
say
one
thing
and
you
end
up
voting
something
else.
That's
that's
what
happened
to
our
friends
out
in
Colorado
and
they
were
trying
to
to
abolish
slavery
from
their
state
constitution,
is
that
people
were
thought
they
were
voting
one
way,
but
they
were
actually
voting
against
them.
They
voted
it
down
without
even
knowing
it,
and
then
they
had
to
do
the
process
all
over
again.
I
I
This
cooler
Trend
and
not
like
what
you
had
last
weekend,
but
we'll
be
doing
some
of
that
as
well
on
September
26
ballots
will
be
mailed
and
we'll
start
launching
our
get
out.
The
vote
work,
that's
what
gotv
stands
for
and
that
kind
of
work
is
just
following
up
with
folks
and
making
sure
that
they
remember
that
they
pledge
to
vote
Yes
on
Prop
2.
we'll
do
that
through
phone
banking,
following
up
with
those
that
vote
have
filled
out
the
pledge
cards,
maybe
with
some
postcards,
maybe
with
some
text
messages,
maybe
with
some
emails.
I
Some
phone
calls,
however,
is
the
best
way
to
reach
folks
just
to
remind
them
that
it's
time
to
get
out
time
to
vote
and
and
make
sure
that
we
get
this
passed
and-
and
we
put
this
on
the
books
in
in
Vermont
and
then
on
November
8th,
you
know
we're
we're
thinking
of
having
an
election
night
watch
party.
We
want
to
celebrate
this
win
right.
We
want
to
get
around
with
others
and
say
this
is
amazing.
I
This
is
historic,
you
know,
and
and
where
do
we
go
from
here,
so
we're
looking
forward
to
that
as
well?
One
other
piece
that
I
want
to,
let
folks
know
is
we
need
all
hands
on
deck
and
we
understand
I
understand
everybody
has
a
lot
going
on.
Some
of
you
probably
have
some
vacation
that
you're
still
planning
on
taking,
while
the
weather's
still
nice,
maybe
some
camping,
some
traveling.
I
So
the
first
half
hour
is
going
to
be
the
same.
That
we've
been
doing,
which
is,
is
just
doing
kind
of
our
basic
checking
in
hearing
stories,
sharing
some
best
practices
with
one
another
and
then
and
hearing
what's
what's
up
for
the
week
like
what
kind
of
activities
are
we
doing
for
the
week
and
then
the
last
half
hour?
Sometimes
20
minutes,
maybe
45
minutes,
depending
on
how
long
that
first
part
takes
we'll,
be
doing
some
training
on
some
of
these
weeks.
I
If
you've
already
been
trained
on
what
we've,
what
we're
training
on
you,
don't
have
to
stick
around
you'll
just
be
there
for
the
first
part
of
it,
but
we
want
to
just
make
sure
that
we
can
bring
more
folks
in
and
that
as
people
come
in,
they
can
come
in
at
any
time
and
just
be
ready
to
go
with
us
on
this
campaign.
So
if
you
have
questions
feel
free
to
reach
out
to
any
of
the
staff
that
are
on
the
call
tonight,
you
have
myself
Debbie,
Ryan
and
Mike
with
Vermont
Interfaith
actions.
I
You
have
Mark
Maya,
Isaac
and
Vincent
with
Vermont
racial
Justice,
Alliance
we're
more
than
happy
to
answer
questions
and
to
follow
up
with
you
all
and
just
you
know,
are
excited
to
be
working
with
you
all
together
on
this
historic
campaign.
So
thanks
so
much
oh
and
let
me
put
the
in
the
chat
box.
I
will
put
the
link
for
our
Monday
night
call.
So
if
you
want
to
register
tonight,
you
can
go
ahead
and
register
jump
on
when
you
can.
You
know
if
you
miss
that's
fine.
A
A
Heard
everything
you
need
to
know
you
you've
got
all
the
information
you
got
all
the
background.
The
only
thing
you
didn't
get
is
excuses
because
we're
getting
it
done,
I'm
telling
you
this
is.
This
thing
is
on
fire
right
now.
I
think
everybody
ought
to
be
pretty
stoked,
but
just
in
case
you
didn't
get
enough.
I
got
Earl
Cooper
Camp
up
right
now,
don't
forget
by
the
way
on
Thursdays
we're
also
gonna
Maya
will
drop
in
the
chat,
something
about
Thursday
or
maybe
somebody
can
drop
in
the
chat.
I.
A
M
Good
to
see
you
brother,
Mark
so
good
evening,
my
sisters,
brothers
and
siblings,
I'm
Earl,
Cooper
Camp,
as
Mark
said
from
the
Episcopal
Church
of
the
Good
Shepherd
and
Berry.
Now,
when
was
the
last
time
you
made
history
how
many
times
in
our
lives
do
we
get
to
do
something
that
is
truly
of
historic
importance?
M
Well
tonight
now
and
over
the
next
few
months
we
have
the
opportunity
to
do
something
historic
both
for
our
own
times
and
for
a
legacy
for
the
future
generations
of
vermonters
of
people
in
our
nation
and
people
around
the
globe.
Now
I
recall
that
about
five
years
ago,
I
was
in
an
airport
lounge,
with
my
brother
Mark
Hughes,
and
we're
traveling
to
Nashville
for
training
with
the
Poor
People's
campaign.
M
A
national
call
for
moral
Revival
and
Mark
now
mentioned
to
me
that
slavery,
yes,
slavery
is
still
permitted
in
the
Vermont
Constitution
and
I
I
was
just
floored
I'd
heard
years
ago
from
many
proud
vermonters
who'd
learned
it
as
an
article
of
faith
in
their
Elementary
School.
That
Vermont
was
the
first
state
to
abolish
slavery.
Well,
Mark
pulled
out
his
phone
brought
up
the
article
one
of
the
state
constitution,
vision
and
there
it
was
the
exception.
M
The
people
under
21
could
be
slaves
and
I
was
like
I
said,
I
was
just
floored
and
I
said
Mark.
We
got
to
get
those
damn
36
words
out
of
the
Constitution.
Well
tonight,
to
my
my
sisters
and
brothers
and
siblings,
we
can
do
that.
Just
like
those
early
vermonters
gathered
in
that
Tavern
in
Windsor
in
1777.
M
M
We
also
have
the
moral
duty
to
act
and
that's
the
historic
nature
of
our
call
this
evening
that
knowing
the
past
pain,
the
injustices
of
slavery,
it's
genocidal
effect
on
the
African-American
and
Indigenous
communities
in
our
nation,
knowing
of
slavery's
Foundations
in
the
Sin
of
white
supremacy.
This
is
our
moral
duty
now
to
strike
out
those
damn
36
words
abolish
slavery
in
Vermont
once
and
for
all.
Now,
some
might
say
even
members
of
my
own
family,
but
there's
no
there's
no
slavery
in
Vermont.
We
have
more
important
things
to
do.
M
Don't
you
believe
it
the
call
to
act.
This
call
to
act
is
an
accord
with
our
moral
duty
in
these
times
to
set
right
to
historical
Legacy
of
our
state,
to
acknowledge
the
past
Thrones
and
then
to
seek
now
to
live
in
a
deeper
Justice.
That's
the
most
important
thing
that
we
can
do
now.
This
is
an
historic
opportunity
for
our
time
and,
as
I
said
for
Generations,
yet
to
come.
Now
is
Dr
King
famously
said,
the
Ark
of
the
universe
is
long,
but
it
bends
towards
Justice.
M
It
is
our
moral
duty
together
to
make
that
bend
a
little
more
pronounced
now
moving
towards
Justice
in
this
campaign
to
abolish
slavery
in
Vermont.
We've
heard
this
evening.
What
we
need
to
know,
indeed,
I
think
Mark
and
Melissa
and
Debbie,
and
everybody
has
really
talked
about
what
it
is
that
we
need
to
do
to
accomplish
this
goal.
Each
one
of
us
needs
to
enlist
our
families
and,
as
Miss
Kelly
said,
as
Melissa
said,
we
need
to
educate
our
children,
whether
they're,
eight
years
old
or
88
years
old.
M
Each
one
of
us
needs
to
enlist
our
families,
our
friends,
our
co-workers,
and
especially
our
fellow
congregation
members
in
this
effort,
and
it's
not
going
to
be
easy,
but
together
finding
that
strength
and
inspiration
in
each
other.
Together,
we
can
accomplish
this
historic
task.
Together
we
can
open
the
door
a
little
bit
wider
to
that
promise
of
liberty
and
justice
for
all.
M
D
A
A
Thank
you
so
much,
and
you
know
there's
so
many
Reflections
that
I
have
to
you
know
to
be
able
to
just
to
express
about
the
times
that
I've
had
with
brother
Earl
Cooper
camp
in
the
love
that
I
have
for
him.
But
I'm
not
gonna.
Do
that
because
we
actually
have
my
brother
Winters
coming
with
a
reflection.
Come
on
brother
Winters,
where
you
at.
A
A
Let
Us
carry
forward
with
us
the
words
in
our
hearts,
our
moral
responsibilities,
our
moral
responsibilities
to
set
the
captives
free.
So
let's
go
forward
from
this
place.
Thank
you
all
who
have
attended
tonight
this
thanks
for
sponsoring
this
event:
Vermont
racial
Justice
Alliance
for
my
Interfaith
action.
All
of
you
have
a
wonderful
night.