BURLINGTON — A South Burlington woman entered a not-guilty plea Thursday in Burlington Superior Court to charges arising from the March 11 Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation that drew protesters, local officers and federal agents to Dorset Street.
Connie Anania, 53, is charged with simple assault of a protected person and careless and negligent operation, according to court filings and reporting by WCAX. She denied the charges and was released following the hearing.
What prosecutors allege
Court documents and the Vermont State Police body-camera footage reviewed by authorities describe chaotic scenes during the operation. Prosecutors say Anania was among demonstrators who clashed with officers and later got into her vehicle, driving on a closed section of Dorset Street.
"She accelerated toward troopers and bystanders standing in the median,"
the documents say. Prosecutors also allege she impeded a law enforcement vehicle trying to leave the scene.
Case status and other defendants
Anania is one of two people still facing charges tied to the protest. The other defendant, Colin Palmer, 24, of Burlington, faces an accusation of damaging a police cruiser. Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George declined to prosecute dozens of other protesters who were initially charged with disorderly conduct, the office said.
- Defendant: Connie Anania, 53, South Burlington — charged with simple assault of a protected person and careless and negligent operation.
- Remaining co-defendant: Colin Palmer, 24, Burlington — accused of damaging a police cruiser.
- Disposition so far: Anania pleaded not guilty and was released; prosecution decisions narrowed to two remaining cases.
| Charge | Accused | Allegation source |
|---|---|---|
| Simple assault of a protected person | Connie Anania | Court documents |
| Careless and negligent operation | Connie Anania | Court documents, body-camera footage |
| Criminal mischief (police cruiser damage) | Colin Palmer | Prosecutor filings |
Authorities say the March 11 ICE action ended with clashes between protesters and officers during an attempt to detain a man believed to be in the area. The Vermont State Police body-camera footage, cited in court papers, shows Anania among people in the melee.
Prosecutors have not released additional comment beyond the filings cited in reporting. Sarah George’s office is handling the remaining prosecutions related to the incident. No trial dates were announced at Thursday’s hearing.
The case remains a focused legal matter stemming from a broader protest that drew community attention and prompted questions about crowd safety and law enforcement tactics downtown. Residents can expect further court proceedings as the two remaining cases move through Chittenden County's criminal docket.
