BRATTLEBORO-As the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates on whether towns have the constitutional authority to ban homeless encampments on public property, a Town Hall gathering organized under the auspices of a new 'America 250' initiative invites the public to share points of view on this topic in a carefully constructed civil debate led by "Constitutional Wrangler" Meg Mott.
The Town Hall poses the question: 'Is it Unconstitutional to Ban Homeless Encampments?' It will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15, at Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St., and is free and open to everyone.
The case before the Supreme Court puts the rights of people to sleep in public spaces against the responsibilities of cities to maintain public safety. One of the legal questions is whether a city can punish someone for their status, not their behavior. The case has sweeping implications for Vermont, which has the second-highest rate of homelessness after California.
The event is the first in a series of Town Halls convened by the Windham World Affairs Council and Brooks Memorial Library to stimulate public dialogue leading up to the statewide and national America 250 semiquincentennial anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The series focuses on the founding ideals in the Declaration of Independence - equality, liberty, safety, and happiness - and how those ideals can guide us in strengthening our democracy at a time when the urge to demonize our opponents is on the rise.
"At the heart of the 1776 declaration is a bold assumption: The people have the capacity to form a government that, in the words of the declaration, 'seems most likely to affect [our] Safety and Happiness,'" Mott said in a news release. "'Most likely' is an important element; self-government is a dynamic process. We have to talk with each other as we determine how best to affect our need for safety, our desire for freedom and our responsibility to fellow citizens."
Mott holds a doctorate in philosophy focusing on political science and government.
"Dr. Mott skillfully employs creative ways to stoke civic dialog," said WWAC Board Member Lissa Weinmann. "Town Halls on a variety of topics held in different venues through 2026 will help develop citizens' capacity to suss-out solutions through robust deliberation among those with divergent points of view."
Background materials for the Town Hall discussions can be found at the WWAC website under "News and Events/ America 250." Anyone interested in participating in this America 250 effort or joining WWAC or serving on the WWAC board are welcome and encouraged to contact [email protected] or to call Administrative Director Susan Healy at 781-422-9485.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.