Decriminalize Vermont Coalition
People should not be subjected to degrading and traumatizing arrests, stigmatized, potentially incarcerated, and marginalized because of their use of controlled substances. The criminalization of drug possession deters people from seeking voluntary health services, including substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and often creates barriers to getting a job, accessing housing, qualifying for credit, and obtaining a professional license. We must enhance systems of compassion and care instead of continuing to divert resources into wasteful systems of punishment and coercion.
The Peace & Justice Center is proud to support Decriminalize Vermont in their effort to change the way we handle substance use and criminal justice in this state.
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Past Projects & Campaigns
In the 1980s, we led campaigns for nuclear disarmament and clean energy.
In 1998, the PJC launched the Vermont Livable Wage Campaign composed of local livable wage coalitions from around the state, which worked to develop a viable worker movement statewide, capable of winning significant wage and benefit gains. As a result, Burlington and Montpelier passed ordinances setting a minimum wage for permanent city employees, and ultimately helped win a 50 cent increase in the minimum wage for 15,000 Vermonters.
More recently, PJC has partnered with other community organizations to advocate for Vermont’s Fair and Impartial Policing policy and co-led campaigns to Abolish ICE alongside Community Voices for Immigrant Rights and Migrant Justice.
In 2021, PJC partnered with Rights & Democracy to pass Burlington’s Just Cause Eviction charter change through the legislature.
PJC has endorsed numerous local and national campaigns including Planned Parenthood of New England’s campaign for the Reproductive Liberty Amendment.