Presentation on Proposition 2 – Zoom

•

Date/Time
Date(s) - 02/22/22
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm


Sponsored by FUUSB’s Racial Justice Team

Come Learn About Proposition 2 – A Proposed Change to the VT State Constitution

Did you know, while Vermont was the first state to include a prohibition on slavery in its Constitution in 1777, it was only a partial prohibition? Freedom was applicable to adults reaching a certain age, “unless bound by the person’s own consent, after arriving to such age, or bound by law for the payment of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like.”

To be sure that slavery and indentured servitude will never be allowed within Vermont, the Vermont Racial Justice Alliance has worked with legislators to clarify the wording and are putting forward an amendment to our state’s constitution. Both the VT House and Senate passed Prop 2 – a declaration of rights and clarifying the prohibition on slavery and indentured servitude.

The next steps will require Vermonters to vote on this change to our state Constitution. That vote will happen in November 2022. To learn more, Debbie Ingram from Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA) is going to present information about this Constitutional Amendment to our congregation. Please join us for this discussion on Tuesday, February 22 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on Zoom.

Click here for the Zoom link.

For audio only, call (646) 558-8656 (New York time zone). Find your local number at us02web.zoom.us/u/kdjm3lFYO9

Here is the approved wording for the Constitutional Amendment:

Sec. 1. PURPOSE

This proposal would amend the Constitution of the State of Vermont to clarify that slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited.

Sec. 2. Article 1 of Chapter I of the Vermont Constitution is amended to read:

Article 1. [All persons born free; their natural rights; slavery and indentured servitude prohibited]

That all persons are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent, and unalienable rights, amongst which are the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety; therefore slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited.