Chittenden County Prosecutor Declines to Charge ICE Protesters

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Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George announced that her office will not prosecute 13 people charged with trespassing during a protest against ICE activities at a Department of Homeland Security building in Williston, Vermont. George cited the non-violent nature of the protest and the lack of criminal history among the accused in her decision not to pursue the case, stating it would not serve the interests of justice or the community.

Why it matters

The decision not to prosecute the protesters highlights the growing tensions between law enforcement and activist groups over immigration enforcement, as well as the discretion prosecutors have in deciding which cases to pursue. It also reflects a shift in some jurisdictions away from aggressively prosecuting non-violent civil disobedience cases.

The details

A group of 13 protesters staged a sit-in earlier this month at the White Cap Industrial Park in Williston, Vermont, where the Department of Homeland Security has offices. The protesters were hoping to peacefully pressure the property managers to end their leases with ICE and to denounce ICE activity across the country. Police arrested the protesters for trespassing, but Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George has now declined to prosecute the case.

• The protest occurred earlier this month at the White Cap Industrial Park in Williston, Vermont.
• On Wednesday, February 26, 2026, Sarah George announced her decision not to prosecute the 13 protesters.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The 13 protesters will not need to appear in court as previously scheduled, as the charges against them have been dropped.