NVN Tuesday: WHY I SHOW UP ON WEDNESDAY AT 4:30 PM ON THE CURB ACROSS FROM 188 HARVEST LANE IN MY HOMETOWN

by Tricia Knoll

Google Maps photo of 188 Harvest Lane, Williston. It houses the "Law Enforcement Support Center," ie the ICE national data collection facility.

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Because I can carry a chair to sit in for one hour
Because I remember what sit in means
Because they will not let us be on their side of the street
Because workers inside need a gated parking lot 
Because the building has only mirror windows
Because we can’t see inside but know enough
Because workers inside can see out
Because they shuffle national data about who will be deported from where and when
Because they maneuver to disappear people 
Because they refuse to share information
Because on this side of the street, we are 13, a jury plus one
Because we vow silence, meditate, stare back at their mirror glass
Because fear brings me back 
Because where else will my tears go

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Tricia Knoll lives not far from this ICE national data collection facility in Williston, Vermont. She has joined a group of people to sit across the street from this facility on Wednesday afternoons to remind ourselves and others driving by that the machinations of ICE are continuous, ongoing.