Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
UVM professor and residents urge council to condemn recent antisemitic attack
Summary
A UVM-affiliated professor and multiple councilors called for the city to condemn a July 9 antisemitic incident at the auditorium and to support affected community members; councilors reiterated community intolerance of hate.
At the start of public comment, Megan Emery, who identified herself as a University of Vermont professor and affiliate of Jewish and Holocaust studies, told the council she had heard “a high level of concern” from Jewish community members after an antisemitic attack that began July 9 in the same auditorium. Emery asked the council to make a clear city statement condemning hate and to be open to constituents expressing fear about safety and participation in civic life.
Several council members responded in support. Councilor Andrew (speaker 2) said the council must condemn antisemitism and any intolerance; Councilor Beth (speaker 5) echoed that sentiment and cited a recent assault on a Muslim woman that police had treated as a potential hate crime, praising officer Zaleski’s response. Councilors and staff encouraged anyone with concerns to reach out to councilors, the city manager, or staff for follow up.
No formal resolution was proposed or voted on at the meeting; councilors expressed consensus that hate and discrimination have no place in the community and that city leaders should set a tone of inclusion. Staff and councilors suggested follow-up conversations and outreach to affected community members.
