Robyn J Leader 🇺🇦🌻

WILLISTON, Vt. — An elderly woman who appears visually impaired was physically lifted and carried away by Department of Homeland Security officers Friday while peacefully sitting outside an ICE facility in Vermont. The woman—who had a white mobility cane—was participating in an anti-ICE sit-in. Two officers grabbed her by her clothing and legs, lifted her off the ground, and carried her through the building's entrance. One officer can be heard instructing another: "Take a leg, Jeff." The woman did not physically resist the officers as they carried her inside. "I'm defending the Constitution," she reportedly told officers, according to Nathaniel Maddison (Instagram itisi_siru), who filmed the incident. The confrontation occurred November 6 outside ICE's Law Enforcement Support Center at 188 Harvest Lane in Williston, Vermont. Other demonstrators remained seated outside the building while the officers removed her. The woman's identity, exact age, and medical condition have not been publicly confirmed. And although she was physically detained, it remains unclear whether she was formally arrested, cited, or released without charges. The sit-in followed a mock funeral procession organized by ICE Out Vermont Alliance—which drew approximately 200 to 300 protesters. Participants carried cardboard coffins, symbolic tombstones, and memorial signs honoring people organizers say died in ICE custody—or directly because of ICE enforcement actions—since January 2025. Organizers say they identified 102 deaths—including children as young as 3 and adults as old as 85. The march began at the National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center at 426 Industrial Avenue, then traveled approximately 1¼ miles to the Law Enforcement Support Center. Both facilities provide support for immigration enforcement operations nationwide, including intelligence gathering and information sharing with law enforcement agencies. Drew Hudson, an organizer with ICE Out Vermont Alliance, explained the purpose of the demonstration to local NBC5 (@MyNBC5) reporter Alexis Crandall: "We want ICE out of Vermont, but that begins with more people knowing that ICE is here and knowing what they do here." At the second facility, protesters held a moment of silence and prayer before some participants sat down near the entrance. According to NBC5, the sit-in remained peaceful, but several protesters received notices indicating they could face a Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) investigation for obstructing access to federal property. One participant, Steve Crofter, explained why he was willing to risk legal consequences: "It feels like what I have to face is so much less than what my immigrant friends and neighbors have to face." Attorney David Kelley also attended, prepared to assist demonstrators if arrests occurred. "I feel like the rule of law and our Constitution have been badly injured and need to heal," Kelley told NBC5. Just one day before the demonstration—three other Vermont anti-ICE protesters pleaded not guilty in federal court to misdemeanor charges stemming from earlier protests at a separate Williston ICE facility. Those charges involve allegedly blocking access to federal property, with potential penalties of up to 30 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. Their attorney, Robert Appel, has challenged the prosecutions on First Amendment grounds. The cases are separate from Friday's incident involving the elderly woman. Nathan Cole of The Union Star (@UnionStarNews) also reported on the video November 7—describing the woman's removal and the questions it raised about her treatment. As of November 8, DHS has not publicly explained why officers chose to physically carry the woman inside, whether she was arrested, or what happened to her afterward. Her white cane also raises additional questions about whether officers considered any mobility or visual impairment before removing her. Written by @LongTimeHistory

DHS arrest elderly woman at anti-ICE sit in protest—drag away by her pants. She's visually impaired & needs cane to walk. One officer can be heard saying: "Take a leg, Jeff." Then 2 officers lift her up & drag disabled woman inside. "I’m defending the Constitution," she said. The sit in occurred after a mock funeral procession & march of remembrance with roughly 200–300 people. Participants carried cardboard coffins and tombstones. They were marking more than 100 people they cited who died in ICE custody—or as a direct result of ICE enforcement actions since January 2025. Incident occurred outside the ICE Law Enforcement Support Center in Williston, Vermont. Nathaniel Maddison doesn't have an active account on this platform—so posting first full length and credited video here to help raise awareness.