Rutland City officials warily watch South Burlington ICE raid

Mayor-elect Thomas Donahue said Friday that he watched events this week in South Burlington with concern.

“I’m trying to stay in my lane for just a couple more days,” said Donahue, who will be sworn in on Sunday and starts on the job Monday. “I don’t have my full authority yet, but it’s something I want to discuss as soon as I’m sitting in the chair Monday morning.”

A pursuit that ended at a South Burlington house turned into a daylong standoff Wednesday when protestors gathered at the house as ICE sought a warrant to enter it in a search of a suspect who turned out not to be there, according to published reports which include accounts of tear gas and rubber bullets being used on the crowd.

Gov. Phil Scott released a statement Thursday saying the situation had been escalated by both the federal officials and “those there to agitate,” and levelling specific complaints at ICE.

“The actions of federal law enforcement, from outside the state yesterday, further demonstrates a lack of training, coordination, leadership, and outdated tactics which put both peaceful protesters and Vermont law enforcement in a difficult situation,” Scott wrote.

Donahue said he agreed with the governor’s assessment.

“I think his comments were fair and rational,” Donahue said. “The way that went all around, the whole situation was just not necessary. We don’t want that to happen here in Rutland, especially when I’m the mayor.”

Police Chief Matthew Prouty did not immediately respond to an inquiry Friday.

Earlier this month, the Board of Aldermen adopted a resolution calling on ICE to get judicial warrants for searches and otherwise respect due process and the rule of law while operating in the city.

“What’s happening in South Burlington is incredibly distressing,” said Alderwoman Anna Tadio, who brought the resolution to the board. “What was happening was incredible violence by law enforcement to protestors — Vermonters being thrown to the ground, Vermonters being zip-tied and the sort of behavior I don’t want to see in Rutland.”

Tadio said she is hoping to see the resolution adopted by the Police Commission as well.

“Having the Police Commission state they would expect law enforcement personnel to follow the law — it does matter,” she said.

The city has placed a link on the front page of the city website (www.rutlandcity.org) to “Information and Resources Related to ICE.” Information there includes the Migrant Justice emergency hotline — 802-881-7229 — and links to immigration legal services.