Following the Windham Southeast School District (WSESD) decision on Jan. 23 to abruptly close its investigation into reported sexual abuse by staff members dating back decades without disclosing any information, a rally in support of survivors has been planned for Tuesday, Feb. 13. [Editor's note: Due to predicted inclement weather, the event has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Feb. 27.]
The We Stand with Survivors rally will be held on Atwood Street (in back of Brattleboro Union High School and in front of and next to Community Bible Chapel) from 5 to 7 p.m., while the WSESD board meeting takes place nearby.
Organizers Mindy Haskins Rogers, whose 2021 essay in The Commons exposed the first abuse allegations, and survivors' advocate Diana Whitney have organized the rally to show support for survivors of sexual misconduct and abuse in WSESD schools.
"On the evening of the next school board meeting, we will gather in solidarity, hear about resources for healing, speak our own truths, if we feel compelled, and show survivors in our community that they are not alone," they write in their invitation to survivors to attend.
Organizers urge able-bodied attendees to park and walk to the event to reserve closer parking spots for those who most need them.