At some 50 different events around Vermont, thousands of people turned out on Saturday to decry the actions of President Donald Trump as part of the national “No Kings” protests.
One of the biggest gatherings was at the Statehouse in Montpelier, where U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D–Vt.) fired up the massive crowd with a speech that excoriated Trump on several fronts, particularly his authoritarian actions and the war with Iran, which he said is now costing $2 billion per day.
“Billions for health care, maybe. Billions for another oil war in the Middle East, NO!” Welch said.
Welch left the crowd with message of hope, noting that choosing love over hate and pushing back against injustice was having a positive effect.
“I say to you today, carry on! We have been making progress! Kristi Noem is GONE!” Welch said in one of the loudest applause lines of the event, referring to the former Homeland Security secretary.
State Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D-Chittenden-Southeast) also praised the crowd for standing up for what’s right, citing the protesters who showed courage during a recent raid involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in South Burlington.
“They were not safe, but they were not alone,” she said.
Park in Burlington’s Old North End Credit: Matthew Roy
About 300 people gathered around the Winooski Rotary with creative signs and flags. Many cars honked as they circled the group. A person in an inflated unicorn suit held a sign that said, “I am more believable than anything this administration says” on one side and “Even glitter can’t fix this mess” on the other.
A mom carried a child in a backpack decorated with signs that said, “Elmo Loves Every1” and a quote from James Baldwin.
Marykate Rowan from Winooski said she was there because “it’s one of the very few things I can do, rather than just rant and rave while reading the newspaper or watching the news. It’s just a visible way to join with neighbors and friends and try to unite in the craziness that’s going on.”
In Burlington, huge crowds gathered in different parts of the city before marching downtown. Hundreds departed Roosevelt Park in Burlington’s Old North End as someone blared “Know Your Rights” by the Clash. Among them was Meg Wallace, who has been chalking protest messages on Burlington sidewalks. The artist sported a sign with messages on two sides: “Regime Change Begins at Home” and “Flush the Turd Reich.”
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