New data on Vermont State Police traffic stops
From WCAX.com: “Vermont State Police traffic stop data shows continued racial disparities”
The raw data cited in the WCAX article can be found here: https://vsp.vermont.gov/communityaffairs/trafficstops (2019 numbers updated as of August 18, 2020)
Third of three public hearings on Vermont police reform
Links to the other two hearings were posted earlier – click here.
Support Black-Owned Businesses and Organizations
Would you like to make a difference in supporting racial equity in Vermont? One easy way to do this is by shopping at Black-owned businesses and financially supporting Black-owned organizations. Richmond Racial Equity will periodically be posting Black-owned Vermont businesses to shop at, as well as Black-owned organizations and fundraisers, in Front Porch Forum.
This month, consider:
The Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust, which is “working towards a collective vision of advancing land and food sovereignty in the northeast region through permanent and secure land tenure for POC farmers and land stewards”. Donate here: https://nefoclandtrust.org/reciprocity
A fundraiser to create the BIPOC Urban Farm and Wholeness Center in Winooski. The plans for this center include: a botánica, a workshop space for BIPOC-centered classes and appointments, an urban farm, and more. https://www.gofundme.com/f/conscious-homestead-bipoc-farm-amp-center
Clemmons Family Farm, one of only 17 Black-owned farms in Vermont, that is also a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting African-American and African diaspora arts and culture. http://www.clemmonsfamilyfarm.org/
The SUSU Healing Collective’s BIPOC Land and Food Sovereignty Fund. This fundraiser has surpassed its initial goal to provide CSAs for BIPOC Vermonters, and funds are now being allocated towards the purchase of land for BIPOC farmers in our state. To read more about the SUSU Healing Collective click here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/bipoc-healing-foods-fund
Public Hearings on Vermont Police Reform
The Vermont House Government Operations and House Judiciary Committees will be co-hosting virtual meetings on August 16 to obtain input from community members on proposed changes to law enforcement in Vermont.
They allot 2 minutes for each person to speak.
Here are the first 2 of 3 public hearings:
Events coming up from local Black Orgs!
Upcoming policy-related events!
2/11-VOTE- In case you still haven’t voted, the Black Perspective of VT has officially endorsed a few candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor:
For Governor: Rebecca Holcombe, and David Zuckerman
For Lt. Governor: Tim Ashe, Brenda Siegel
This group will be moving toward aggregating and sharing more candidate information (around their stance on racial justice) for the Nov. election. For information about their endorsements: https://www.facebook.com/theblackperspectivevt/
2/12 + 2/16 at 6 pm- The Racial Justice Alliance of Vermont is asking the public to speak out in virtual meetings on police reform on the state level.
Event Description:
“SPEAK OUT on RJA State Priorities at the upcoming state-sponsored public forums on police reform on August 12th at 6pm and August 16th at 4pm. Demand that our elected officials tackle systemic racism holistically, and do more than focus on incremental police reform.
Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) Supporters:
Sign up to testify at the public forum on 8.12 (6pm) or 8.16 (4pm) through the state’s link here (https://rb.gy/ermq3e) and also through the VT Racial Justice Alliance link here (https://rb.gy/usvvf7). We are aiming to get 50+ BIPOC folks signed up to comment on August 12th, and another 50+ folks on August 16th. Please fill out both forms so that the state gives you a speaking slot, and the VTRJA outreach team can send you talking points in advance of the meeting.
Non-BIPOC Supporters:
Given the limited amount of time being allotted at the public forum, we are prioritizing BIPOC comments to ensure BIPOC voices are heard. Please tune in to the public forum to hear from BIPOC Vermonters via this link here (https://rb.gy/nfrrmc), and submit your comment via the State’s Survey for public comment here (https://rb.gy/c9jtjr).”
More info: https://www.facebook.com/events/232223757955226
Reshared from VPR’s “Brave Little State” — How To Support Vermonters Of Color: ‘Listen To Us’
VPR’s “Brave Little State” podcast asked the question “How can a state that is 94% white do better in supporting its citizens of color?” Vermonter persons of color weighed in with their answers.
https://www.vpr.org/post/how-support-vermonters-color-listen-us#stream/0
Reading Workshop: The 1619 Project
Richmond Racial Equity team member Rebecca Starks will be leading a four-week online discussion on the subject of The 1619 Project, an ongoing effort by the New York Times to reframe American political, social, and economic history and place the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans at the center of our national narrative-and discuss the public and critical responses to it. The discussion sessions will take place on Wednesdays in September — September 9, 16, 23, and 30 — from 4 pm to 5:30 pm.
Registration is required; you can read more about the sessions and register here.
Listen, Read, Engage (Borrowed from the Richmond Library)
Borrowed with thanks from the Richmond Free Library, the document linked below — a 47-page handout on adult fiction, non-fiction, audio books, and DVDs suitable for Black History month, those curious about Black Lives Matter, and those who wish to broaden their horizons.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DYlGff63bSTx2EMJ87F50-k6rgxozLI_/view?usp=sharing