In a remarkable turn of events, the scenic Mad River Valley became a focal point for protests this weekend, coinciding with Vice President JD Vance’s ski trip to the popular Sugarbush Resort. On Saturday morning, a significant demonstration took place in Waitsfield, Vermont, where locals and visitors alike gathered along a stretch of Main Street near the Mad River Green. Participants waved protest signs and flags, voicing concerns that ranged from threats to democracy to issues surrounding climate change and LGBTQ+ rights.
Protest organizers estimated that between 1,000 and 3,000 individuals participated in the rally in Waitsfield. Ginny Sassaman, an organizer with the Indivisible Calais group, expressed that many Vermonters feel a sense of fear under the policies of the Trump and Vance administration. “Democracy is in peril,” Sassaman stated, emphasizing that protesting is a vital form of resistance, alongside voting and legal actions. “Some of us are scared about losing Social Security or Medicaid, or facing health crises like measles epidemics and climate change,” she elaborated.
Many attendees echoed Sassaman’s sentiments. Tisa Rennau, another protest organizer from North Fayston with the Indivisible Mad River Valley group, articulated the outrage felt by many Vermonters upon learning about Vance’s visit, especially against the backdrop of recent federal funding cuts and layoffs initiated by the Trump administration. Rennau highlighted a recent clash between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a significant factor that fueled public anger, stating, “We are no longer the leader of the free world. What has happened? This is not the America we expect to be.”
The protest was adorned with the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag, signifying solidarity amid the ongoing global tensions. Alongside local groups, Geri Peterson from 50501, a national decentralized protest movement, collaborated with other organizers to ensure the safety of attendees during the large gathering. Katayoun Lam, another 50501 organizer, shared her motivations for protesting, citing the Trump administration’s policies on LGBTQ+ rights and immigration. “As a trans person and as a person of color, I’m extremely concerned about the new policies affecting trans individuals,” Lam expressed.
Among the notable figures at the protest was former Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman, who held a handmade sign stating, “efficiency, sure, but not carnage, hate and lies.” Zuckerman voiced his concern that the administration’s focus on efficiency has adversely impacted farmers’ loan programs and access to healthcare. “Many folks in Vermont feel despair right now, including myself,” he stated. “They’re not following the rules, and nobody’s supposed to be above the law.”
In the nearby town of Warren, a smaller protest occurred at the Pitcher Inn, where Vance had originally intended to stay before canceling. Protesters at this rally displayed pro-Palestinian flags and held signs featuring watermelon imagery, a symbol of solidarity with Palestine. Michelle Eddleman McCormick, an activist with the Vermont Coalition for Palestinian Liberation, articulated the protest’s objective: to demand that the Trump administration cease funding the Israeli government and redirect those resources to support schools, healthcare, and infrastructure in the U.S.
“We came out here today to ensure that a message is sent loud and clear from Vermont to Vance and the entire administration, that anything short of a fully free and liberated Palestine is a nonstarter,” McCormick stated. This protest was met with a counter-protest across the street, where supporters of Trump and Vance rallied with American flags and “Make America Great Again” banners. Gregory Thayer, a recent Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, described the counter-protest as a “positive support rally,” emphasizing that they were there to support the administration’s mission.
Meanwhile, as the protests unfolded, two demonstrators stood outside the main entrance of Sugarbush Resort, where a pro-Trump and Vance motorcade circled the parking lot. Tensions escalated as heated exchanges erupted between the opposing factions. Montpelier resident Dan Vidali articulated the rationale behind his protest, stating, “Every day, the Trump-Vance administration is putting Vermonters at risk and hurting people across the country.” He underscored the importance of protesting where those in power congregate, declaring, “We’re here to say that we reject that in Vermont.”
Despite the protests, Sugarbush Resort continued its operations normally, with central lifts and lodges remaining open during Vance’s visit. The resort did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the situation.
