Vermont Gas Systems issued a statement today saying the South Burlington Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying a protestor who it says assaulted an administrative support staff member at Vermont Gas last Tuesday when a group of protesters from Rising Tide Vermont and 350.org demonstrated at the utility’s office. Vermont Gas stated it has previously allowed protestors to express their views peacefully.
“We don’t have a problem with people expressing their opinions and concerns, but last week protestors went too far when they assaulted and injured an employee and endangered themselves and others by climbing on the roof,” said Stephen Wark, communications director for Vermont Gas.
Protester Sara Mehalick is chained to a door at Vermont Gas System headquarters in South Burlington. VBM Photos. RELATED STORY: Demonstrators bar door to Vermont Gas headquarters
“Out of an abundance of caution for both employee and customer safety – the protestors were asked to leave the property,” Wark said. “We can no longer trust that they can express their views responsibly, safely or peacefully.”
During the day, protestors pushed past the employee who was attempting to ensure the protest did not impede the normal flow of customers into, and out of, the Vermont Gas headquarters building.
When protestors forcefully pushed their way past the employee, they threw a chain around a door jam that they then used to chain a fellow protestor in place. In the process of pushing the administrative staff member out of the way and chaining their colleague to the door, protestors made physical contact with the Vermont Gas employee – with their hands and the chain – and physically, and visibly, injured the employee on the arm.
Police are also working to identify two protestors who entered the office without lawful permission and snuck up onto the roof.
Source: Vermont Gas Systems 6.3.2014
