LEOMINSTER — City resident Nastasia Lawton-Sticklor made another appearance in Woburn District Court this week.
The 42-year-old filed a rule 17 motion along with fellow defendant Nathan Philips of Auburndale, which asks for the court to order U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to turn over evidence related to their Sept. 12 arrest by Burlington police after they and Eleanor Reid of New Hampshire allegedly refused to leave the front steps of the ICE field office in Burlington. They were trying to deliver food to detainees being held at the 1000 District. Ave facility after hearing reports of the detainees not receiving adequate nutrition and sleeping in poor conditions.
“In this case we asked for their security camera footage from the time that we were there,” Lawton-Sticklor said following their March 24 court date. “We also served ICE with that request. If they object, which I imagine they will, we have a hearing scheduled for May 8 where we’ll present arguments and then the judge will decide whether to issue the order or not.”
She reported that Reid had six months of pre arraignment and then the state recently declined to arraign her. In addition, others involved in a case stemming from their own arrest in December following similar actions at the Burlington ICE field office had hearings the same day as Lawton-Sticklor and Philips this week, with one resolving their case and another headed towards trial.
She and Philips had been scheduled for a pre-trial appearance in February that was cancelled due to a major snowstorm. Lawton-Sticklor disclosed that while they don’t have a trial date yet, she reported that are “making progress” regarding gathering evidence and material for their defense.
She spoke at a bearing witness event at the ICE facility in Burlington on March 25, the day after their court date.
“That rally started last spring,” Lawton-Sticklor said of peaceful protest gathering held there every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. that has gotten bigger over time, with approximately 560 people in attendance this week.
“It has grown to people offering food to folks going in and out of their appointments and they turn the speakers towards the building at the end and read excerpts from the Constitution,” she said. “It’s a really powerful weekly event that goes on.”
She went on to say that while occasionally there are some counter protesters at the facility with “the goal to antagonize,” the people who are there remain focused on their purpose – “solidarity and supporting the people who are bearing the brunt of the cruelty this is bringing.”
Lawton-Sticklor, who said she will be attending a local No Kings 3 rally on Saturday, spoke about the Burlington ICE facility not zoned for what it currently is being used for – to house ICE detainees.
“They are still holding people in violation of the zoning of the building, which means they are not equipped to provide people’s basic constitutional and human rights.”
Despite the heaviness surrounding everything she and others are doing to give a voice to and support those who are in the crosshairs of ICE, Lawton-Sticklor said the energy in Burlington remains as positive as possible.
“Anytime we are able to be together in a space where we all have a commitment to make change and to resist the illegal practices going on at that field office it is always inspiring,” she said on Thursday afternoon. “It is inspiring that so many people are willing to show up week after week and build power together.”
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