Hundreds of people lined the streets as JD Vance and his family took a vacation in Vermont. “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,” said Tekla Van Hoven of Waterbury.
“I really believe that the way to fight fascism, which is what this is, is to stand together. To not let them divide us,” said Sarah from Huntington.
Vance had planned a ski trip at Sugarbush Resort over the weekend with his wife and two children. Meanwhile, several grassroots organizations gathered along the streets of Waitsfield, about a mile away.
Organizers estimated that over a thousand people attended the demonstration, vastly outnumbering the dozens of Trump administration supporters present.
“I’m a federal employee. I watched eleven of our federal public servants get illegally fired. It’s all due to the complacency of this jerk,” said Matt, a current federal employee.
Protesting Outside Ski Resort in Vermont
As traffic moved past, the crowd continued to grow. In Warren, protesters and supporters engaged in heated exchanges, each side making their stance clear.
“We wanted to give him a positive welcome rally—showing support for Vermonters, the process, and the things that he and President Trump are doing for our great country,” said Gregory Thayer of Rutland.
At the mountain, Secret Service vehicles and personnel were visibly stationed throughout the resort. Skiers expressed excitement about sharing the slopes with the Vice President.
“It is awesome. I hope I get to see him. I hear his kids are in ski school,” said Susan Green of Warren.
“I think it is totally fine. If JD Vance wants to go skiing anywhere he wants, that’s great. Come to Vermont. But people have a right—a First Amendment right—to free assembly and free speech,” said Paula Emery of Plainfield.
