>From: Vermont Freedom to Marry Action Committee > <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: vandalism of a TIP supporter > >Dear friends, >I just came across the following article, which appeared in today's >Caledonia Record. The article talks about the vandalism of a van owned >by the man who organized the Danville public forum for TIP earlier this >week. The Vermont Freedom to Marry Action Committee deplores violence >of all kinds, whether it is directed at supporters or opponents of civil >unions. > >I'm sure all of you agree that we need to keep this debate civil and >respectful. Our voices are being heard, both in Montpelier and >throughout the state, and violence of any kind against those who >disagree with us not only undermines our credibility, it is also wrong. >Please pass the word, and let's give each other lots of support through >these stressful times. Finally, thanks to all of you for your hard work >and for keeping to the high road. > >Susan M. Murray > >------------------------------------------------------------------ >Business Owned By Traditional Marriage Organizer Damaged > >By KAREN M. JOYCE >Staff Writer > >"The damage done to a mobile breast care center Monday night was >troublesome," said Rick Cochran, the president of Mobile Medical >International Corp. > >Cochran speculated that perhaps the vandalism was connected to his >association with the Traditional Marriage Forum. > >Sometime during the evening of April 10, the mobile unit was vandalized. > >The hydraulic supports of the unit were lowered on one side, tipping >the trailer onto its undercarriage. The trailer was parked at Fairbanks >Scales on Route 2 east in St. Johnsbury. > >"Someone had to have spent some time there," said Cochran. "It isn't >easy to manipulate the hydraulics." > >It is the first time the breast cancer center has been vandalized, >although it has been in many areas of the country. > >Cochran said he received three phone calls on Sunday afternoon warning >him there could be "some trouble coming" from his association with the >Traditional Marriage Forum and Take it to the People, a group pushing >to take the civil union issue to Vermonters via a constitutional >amendment. > >Cochran organized and moderated a forum to discuss the civil unions >issue, held in Danville Monday evening. > >The individuals who called, Cochran said, did not have any information >that specific retributive activities were planned. > >Cochran speculated that the phone calls and the vandalism were connected. > >Trooper Gordon Lambert, who is investigating the incident, said there >is nothing to indicate it is connected with Cochran's political views. >He added the damage could not be due to mechanical failure, because the >hydraulic system includes a safety feature which requires the trailer to >be raised before it is lowered. It is operated with a pendant switch. > >The damage is estimated at $6,000 to $8,000. > >There was no damage reported to other equipment or buildings, said Lambert. > > >************************************************************************* >* Dorothy Mammen * >* Coordinator, Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force * >* [log in to unmask] * >* * >* VT Freedom to Marry Task Force VT Freedom to Marry Action Committee * >* PO Box 1312 PO Box 1038 * >* Middlebury, VT 05753 Middlebury, VT 05753 * >* [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] * >* http://www.vtfreetomarry.org http://www.vtmarriageaction.com * >* (802) 388-2633 (802) 388-2633 * >* * >* Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can * >* change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does. * >* -- Margaret Mead * >************************************************************************* > > > > >