Proposal 2 - Declaration of rights; clarifying the prohibition on slavery and indentured servitude

Summary

This proposal would amend the Constitution of the State of Vermont to clarify that slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited.

A "yes" vote supports removing language in the Vermont Constitution stating that persons may be held as servants, slaves, or apprentices with the person's consent or "for the payments of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like" and adding language specifying that "slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited."

A "no" vote opposes removing language in the Vermont Constitution stating that persons may be held as servants, slaves, or apprentices with the person's consent or "for the payments of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like" and adding language specifying that "slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited."

Arguments

"Well, first of all, symbols matter to human beings. We can also say that it does have even more substantive impact because, I think, it's really time, especially for white people, to recognize that the legacy of slavery in our country has led to so many other problems. And the fact that we've never properly dealt with it, has directly led to the hate crimes, the hatred, the violence, the systemic racism, the overt racism, the implicit bias that we experience in our country every day." - Debbie Ingram, Executive Director of Vermont Interfaith Action and former state senator, in support of Proposal 2 (Learn more)

"Three exceptions that permit slavery in the state of Vermont that has existed for over 244 years. 'Therefore no person born in this country, or brought from over sea, ought to be holden by law, to serve any person as a servant, slave or apprentice.' And then it goes on to say 'after arriving to the age of twenty-one years, unless bound by the person's own consent, after arriving to such age, or bound by law for the payment of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like.' It's there. The language is there. It's always been there. And now we're just at a simple juncture where with the Legislature having made its decision of, do we support that or not?" - Reverend Mark Hughes, Vermont Racial Justice Alliance, in support of Proposal 2 (Learn more)

"In terms of substantive rights, it makes absolutely no change. To claim that slaves could be legally bought and sold in the state – minor slaves, adult slaves – just not true." - Peter Teachout, Professor of Constitutional Law at the Vermont Law and Graduate School, in opposition to Proposal 2 (Learn more)

"We have heard from spokespersons for Black people that they want reparations. They want greater access to capital. They want greater access to land. They want serious, meaningful police reform. They want a more honest, accurate teaching of U.S. history. And what white America has said in response to that basically is, 'We'll talk about it. But what we are going to do is we're going to put a smiley face on the constitution.'" - State Sen. Dick McCormack, in opposition to Proposal 2 (Learn more)

Measure Details