By Katy Savage
The Rutland NAACP is asking for change after what appeared to be antique slavery shackles offered by a vendor at a gun show on the Vermont State Fairgrounds Aug. 13-14.
The Rutland NAACP sent a letter to the Vermont State Fairgrounds board on Aug. 16, condemning the incident and asking the board to ban the sale of racist items in the future.
Antique slavery shackles were sold by a vendor at a gun show on the Vermont State Fairgrounds Aug. 13-14.
“Careful consideration must be taken when displaying tools and weapons used in the oppression, torture and captivity of Black peoples,” the letter read. “We understand the importance of their historical preservation, but we admonish such artifacts being treated as novelty items publicly displayed in harmful ways. Loosely displaying the items in question undermines their historical significance and perpetuates racial harm to Black community members and attendees.”
One of the shackles read, “Negro Woman or Child Only,” another said, “Property of George Town County Plantation Police.”
It’s unclear whether the shackles sold in Vermont were real antiques or replicas.
“They might be replicas, which almost makes it even worse,” Rutland NAACP President Mia Schultz said.
Vermont State Fair President Robert Congdon said there will be an internal investigation into the sale.
The New Eastcoast Arms Collectors Associates (NEACA) gun show was organized by David Patronis of Mechanicsville, New York. Patronis hosts gun shows throughout New York and Vermont, according to his website. Congdon said Patronis has rented a building on the fair property about 10 years and though there had never been problems with Patronis’ vendors before, Congdon said the board would review its policies.
“Our board is going to be looking at our facility rental policies,” Congdon said. “The claim that seems to be out there right now is that this is part of the fair and that is completely inaccurate.”
Attempts to reach Patronis weren’t successful.
This isn’t the first time Patronis has ran into controversy. In June, a Saugerties, New York board was concerned with Patronis’ gun show taking place in town, in part because it promoted the sale of Nazi weaponry, uniforms and flags, according to the Daily Freeman.
Schultz became aware of the items at the Vermont gun show after someone texted her a photo.
“They have no business whatsoever being sold in the United States,” Schultz said. “This type of thing happens in communities that are homogeneous — they are breeding grounds for hate. I know that’s not the image Vermont wants to have.”
Schultz said Vermont is “a place to fear” because “this type of behavior goes unchecked.” She was hopeful local leaders would take action.
“The city of Rutland has to bind together and press Vermont State Fairgrounds, which prides itself on being a family friendly environment, to comply with this request,” Schultz said.
Some city leaders have taken a stand opposing the items. Rutland Mayor David Allaire condemned the sale.
“At first, I was shocked,” Allaire said. “It has no place in the city of Rutland and I think appropriate action has been taken and I hope nothing like that will happen again.”
Board of Aldermen President Mike Doenges issued a statement on his Facebook page, also condemning the items. “I’m both shocked and outraged that in the year 2022, this type of item would be for sale, or even on display, regardless of the vendor or the type of show,” Doenges posted on Aug. 20. “I join those who are angry, saddened and disappointed that something like this happened in our city.”
Doenges said he was looking at the “silver lining.”
“I am proud of our community for the way we have reacted thus far,” he said on Facebook. “The public responses, commentary and conversations I have had with people and seen firsthand, all demonstrate not only an understanding of the inappropriate nature of the situation, but also a strong resolve that it doesn’t belong here in Rutland.”
