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Many of the hundreds of demonstrators held signs in support of
Ukraine, while other anti-war protesters waved Palestinian flags
or signs in support of immigrant rights. Protesters showed up at
several locations in the area, including both sides of Route 100
in Waitsfield.
Though demonstrations were planned days in advance, they were
energized Saturday morning by a heated Oval Office exchange a
day earlier between Vance, President Donald Trump and Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Vance berated Zelenskyy for
challenging Trump’s assertions that Russian President Vladimir
Putin could be trusted.
“Ski Russia because JD Vance has no friends in Vermont, but he’s
got lots of friends in Russia, so he should go there for
vacation,” Tekla Van Hoven of Waterbury told WCAX-TV.
Vance and his family arrived in Vermont ahead of the weekend,
with plans to ski at Sugarbush Resort in Warren.
A few protested at the resort on Saturday.
“There were a handful of protestors at the resort throughout the
day, but all were peaceful and none were disruptive,” resort
spokesman John Bleh said in an email Sunday. He declined further
comment, referring reporters to the White House.
Messages left Sunday for White House officials weren't
immediately returned.
Republican Gov. Phil Scott issued a statement on Thursday
welcoming Vance and his family to the state, and asked Vermont
residents to do the same even if they have political differences
with the vice president.
“I hope Vermonters remember the vice president is here on a
family trip with his young children and, while we may not always
agree, we should be respectful,” the statement said.
A smaller number of protesters in support Vance and President
Donald Trump also showed up with a “welcome rally.”
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