Crowds at Burlington City Council Meetings Are Becoming Increasingly Uncivil

Amanda Skehan felt nervous when she stepped to the microphone at the Burlington City Council meeting on October 18. The atmosphere that night was tense. Dozens of people had converged on city hall to debate two highly charged topics: the city's plan to close a homeless encampment and a proposal to hire more police officers.

Skehan had come to ask councilors to retain the police department's domestic violence prevention position. But as soon as she broached the topic, members of the audience booed and laughed. Skehan revealed that she was a survivor of domestic abuse and said police officers can help victims such as herself. Then she turned to the crowd.

"Please, everyone, you know how hard it is to get up here and talk about this," Skehan said evenly. "Please, stop booing people."

Skehan's experience was hardly a one-off. The crowds at Burlington council meetings have become increasingly uncivil in recent months as elected officials have confronted issues including poverty, racial justice and the coronavirus pandemic. Speakers routinely blow past their allotted time during the public forums that are a regular part of council meetings. Audience members hurl profanities at councilors despite warnings.

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