WILLISTON, VT — Vermont State Police arrested 11 people and cited two others on charges of criminal trespass Monday afternoon after they declined to leave a private office building and asked to be taken into custody instead.
The individuals were in the building to protest federal agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, that are among government and private tenants, including private businesses and a medical office.
The building owner informed police that the individuals were trespassing and would not leave, and asked for them to be removed.
State police, working in conjunction with the Williston Police Department, responded and spoke with protest leaders.
VSP let the protesters know there was space available outside the building where they were welcome to continue their demonstration.
The protesters declined to relocate.
Protest leaders told VSP their goal was to be arrested.
The state police continued to encourage the group to leave of their own accord, informed them that they were trespassing, and eventually gave a dispersal order.
The demonstrators repeatedly declined to leave the atrium, and at that point VSP began to make arrests.
Troopers worked with the protesters to ensure all arrests occurred peacefully and without incident.
The following individuals were arrested: Revell Allen, 75, of Middlebury; Karen Bixler, 83, of Bethel; Lexington Kennedy, 21, of New York, New York; Donald Kollisch, 74, of Hanover, New Hampshire; Dorothy Mammen, 70, of Middlebury; Henry Prensky, 79, of Burlington; Timothy Price, 71, of Ripton; Douglas Smith, 85, of Sharon; Roan Wade, 22, of Red Hook, New York; Jennifer Wasiura, 46, of Weybridge; and Sherri Wormser, 57, of Colchester.
In addition, Peter Booth, 57, of Jericho, and Laura Simon, 72, of White River Junction, were issued citations at the scene and released.
The 13 individuals are due to appear for arraignment at 8:30 a.m. March 2 in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Burlington.
