Report from Vermont State Impeachment Effort

By Liza Earle

Today was a great success in our efforts to bring the VT
state legislature's attention to the town meeting resolution that
passed in 38 VT towns this year. We got a huge crowd--and exceeded
our highest expectations. This was an incredible grassroots effort,
transforming from a brainstorm last Wednesdays at midnight. People
scattered the call far an wide.

We had 130 people show up at the Statehouse today, from all corners of
our state--56 towns were represented. Many people sacrificed a
vacation day, or a day's pay. We were a group of nurses, truck
loaders, teachers, veterans, engineers, painters, students, builders,
lawyers, single moms, etc. etc. A handful of people took their kids
out of school for the day, so they could witness democracy in action.

Altogether, travel time alone was a collective 400 hours--and we're
just asking them to give an extra few hours to allow a debate on this
resolution. We spoke with the leaders of the legislature for 40
minutes in a packed conference room. Our sheer numbers, mid-week,
with slightly flooded roads, made it very difficult for them to say,
"This issue is not important to Vermonters." At one point we all
bellowed spontaneously, "WE ARE VERMONTERS!" Another great moment was
when the President Pro Tem of the Senate said, "The only way we could
do this would be to extend the session..." We interupted his
statement with a long and enthusiastic applause and said, "Yes, extend
the session!"

VT Guardian: Impeachment meeting turns stormy, Shumlin walks out
http://www.vermontguardian.com/local/042007/ImpeachmentMeeting.shtml

AP article: Democratic leaders face criticism over impeachment resolution
http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2007/04/17/democratic_...

Peter Freyne Blog: Vermont impeachment Has Legs
http://7d.blogs.com/freyneland/2007/04/vermont_impeach.html

A fantastic letter written by the Editorial Staff of the Brattleboro
Reformer/Bennington Banner (VT's third largest newspaper is living up
to it's name!)
http://www.benningtonbanner.com/editorials/ci_5684120

Wow!

Also, here is a link to the latest Doonesbury comic strip. I think it
should be posted on your site. We are trying, here in Vermont, to
help build energy on the national level as well as here in the Green
Mtns.

http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/index.html?uc_full_date=20070409

Thanks so much for all you do to help build the movement. There will
be other stories tomorrow in the Brattleboro Reformer and the Times
Argus/Rutland Herald.