Slavery is a crime against humanity. It must be Abolished - No Exceptions!
Proposal 2; amendment to the Vermont Constitution
Slavery is a crime against humanity. It must be Abolished - No Exceptions!
Proposal 2; amendment to the Vermont Constitution
abolishing slavery in vermont addresses systemic Racism
Additional Information
Our work in eradicating systemic racism led us to the discovery that the Vermont was the first state to permit slavery in any form. For the past 245 years it has done so with the use of an exception clause that permits the enslavement of folks under age 21 and individuals bound by their own consent. The exception clause also permits the enslavement of those “bound for payment of debts, damages, fines, costs or the like.” Proposal 2 is a Vermont constitutional amendment to prohibit slavery and indentured servitude in all forms. It has passed the legislature twice and it has been proclaimed by the Governor that it will be on the ballot on November 8th
While Vermonters and the nation have been taught for generations that the state was the first to abolish slavery we now know that that no state constitutionally permitted slavery before Vermont. Exception clauses of 25 other state constitutions and Thirteenth Amendment have been informed by the exception clauses in the Vermont Constitution, leading to the introduction of convict leasing in the US.
The Abolish Slavery Vermont Campaign focuses on human rights and connects the institution of slavery to its legacy - systemic racism.
Vote “Yes” on Proposal 2
As passed by the 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 VT legislatures
Proposal 2
"...Slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited..."
Updates
Abolish Slavery Campaign Launch 2.0
Abolish Slavery Campaign Launch 2.0
Abolish Slavery Campaign Launch 2.0
Join us this week:
Thursday, August 11, 2022, from 6 to 7:30 pm
On Thursday evening, after the Primary elections are all said and done, VIA and our partner Vermont Racial Justice Alliance will gear up our Prop 2 campaign to abolish slavery, no exceptions. Join us as we kick off the second phase of the campaign with Abolish Slavery VT Launch
Join us this week:
Thursday, August 11, 2022, from 6 to 7:30 pm
On Thursday evening, after the Primary elections are all said and done, VIA and our partner Vermont Racial Justice Alliance will gear up our Prop 2 campaign to abolish slavery, no exceptions. Join us as we kick off the second phase of the campaign with Abolish Slavery VT Launch 2.0.
This virtual event will be modeled on our public Actions and will feature 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!
To register for this event held only on Zoom, click here. You will then be emailed a unique Zoom link to join the event itself. For security purposes, please do not share this second link with others!
For more info, contact Melissa or leave a message at (802) 651-8889.
Campaign Launch: Community Cookout
Abolish Slavery Campaign Launch 2.0
Abolish Slavery Campaign Launch 2.0
In the News
- NECN/NBC, Jack Thurston, "Voters to Decide on Amendment to Clarify Vt. Constitution's Language on Slavery"
- VT Digger, Jenna Peterson "Advocacy groups kick off campaign supporting constitutional amendment to formally abolish slavery"
- WCAX/CBS, Dom Amato "Advocates urge Vermont voters to support amendment banning slavery"
- My Champl
In the News
- NECN/NBC, Jack Thurston, "Voters to Decide on Amendment to Clarify Vt. Constitution's Language on Slavery"
- VT Digger, Jenna Peterson "Advocacy groups kick off campaign supporting constitutional amendment to formally abolish slavery"
- WCAX/CBS, Dom Amato "Advocates urge Vermont voters to support amendment banning slavery"
- My Champlain Valley/Local 22/44, Dana Casullo, "Prop 2 to be on ballots in November"
Strategy Meetings
Abolish Slavery Campaign Launch 2.0
Learning Opportunities
Join us for weekly strategy meetings and ongoing training as the campaign progresses.
You will be registering voters, distributing & collecting pledge cards, writing letters and/or opinion pieces to the editors, passing out literature at outdoor events, door to door canvassing, conducting one-to-one conversations with friends and famil
Join us for weekly strategy meetings and ongoing training as the campaign progresses.
You will be registering voters, distributing & collecting pledge cards, writing letters and/or opinion pieces to the editors, passing out literature at outdoor events, door to door canvassing, conducting one-to-one conversations with friends and family, phone banking, putting up lawn signs and much more. If this sounds like a campaign you're interested in joining, click on the pledge now and get started!
Weekly half-hour calls are on Monday nights. Questions? Contact Melissa at melissa@viavt.org or 802-595-9912.
Learning Opportunities
Abolish Slavery Campaign Launch 2.0
Learning Opportunities
Are you interested in learning more about the constitutional amendment to abolish slavery and indentured servitude in Vermont?
There are no circumstances under which slavery should be permitted. No Exceptions. None.
This live session we will explain the background of the campaign to help you understand how we arrived at the conclusion that
Are you interested in learning more about the constitutional amendment to abolish slavery and indentured servitude in Vermont?
There are no circumstances under which slavery should be permitted. No Exceptions. None.
This live session we will explain the background of the campaign to help you understand how we arrived at the conclusion that amending the Vermont Constitution is necessary. We’ll provide details on the Constitutional legislative, public and executive processes that have taken place to this point. We’ll update you on some of organizational support that has been provided and show you some of the key testimony.
There will be a breakout session to enable discussion on slavery in Vermont.
Finally, folks who attend will be offered a number of options to get involved in the campaign.
Contribute
Your donation is an opportunity to be part of something Huge! Stand with us as Vermont stands for the first time in 245 years to say that slavery and indentured servitude in all forms are prohibited. Give today!
