Pastor Arrested with Faith Leaders at ICE Facility Protest in Williston

Rev. Becca Girrell, pastor of the United Community Church of Morrisville, was arrested on September 4, along with six other Vermont faith leaders, during a protest at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Williston. The demonstration included singing, kneeling, praying, and reading the names of individuals who have died while interacting with the federal agency.

The group was arrested for trespassing by Vermont State Police at the National Criminal Analysis and Targeting Center, located in the White Cap Business Park on Industrial Avenue. Rev. Girrell and her colleagues were preventing access to the facility, which is privately owned and leased by the federal government. They were escorted out of the building by police around 10:30 a.m. and processed at the State Police Williston Barracks before being released.

The faith leaders had arrived at the site at 7:15 a.m., before the facility’s workers began arriving at 8:30 a.m. Rev. Girrell explained that when approached by a worker who needed to enter for work, she and a colleague explained their intention to prevent activities they believe perpetuate harm. The demonstration was part of a series of sit-ins at the facility, which serves as a surveillance hub assisting ICE officers in the eastern U.S. with data collected from publicly available sources, including social media.

This protest highlights ongoing concerns about the actions of ICE, with Rev. Girrell acknowledging her preparedness for arrest, reflecting a commitment to addressing what they perceive as injustices. As the community continues to grapple with these issues, the actions of these faith leaders underscore a call for justice and accountability, resonating with the biblical principle of seeking justice and loving mercy (Micah 6:8).

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