Crowds gathered in the picturesque town of Waitsfield, Vermont on Saturday to voice their dissent against Vice President JD Vance's visit to a local ski resort. This demonstration took place just a day after Vance's heated confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. The protesters lined a main thoroughfare in Waitsfield, which is situated near the popular Sugarbush Resort, where Vance and his family were vacationing.
Holding a variety of signs, the protesters expressed their feelings with messages like "Vance is a traitor, go ski in Russia," "Trump serves Putin," and "Vance disgraces our country." These fiery slogans underscored the discontent with the Vice President's actions and the broader implications of the Trump administration's foreign policy. A smaller group of protesters also made their presence felt at the Sugarbush Resort itself.
Despite the demonstration, a spokesperson for Sugarbush Resort indicated that the day was largely uneventful on the slopes. John Bleh, the public relations and communications manager for the resort, stated, "There were a handful of protesters at the resort throughout the day, but all were peaceful and none were disruptive."
The protest was strategically organized ahead of the Trump-Zelenskyy Oval Office meeting, aiming to highlight what the Mad River Valley chapter of Indivisible described as the "destructive and illegal actions" of the Trump/Vance administration. Many signs during the protest voiced support for Ukraine, criticizing both Trump and Vance for their treatment of President Zelenskyy.
The backdrop for these protests was a tumultuous meeting that transpired on Friday at the White House. During this encounter, Zelenskyy was in Washington, D.C. to finalize an agreement that would allow the U.S. access to vital rare earth minerals located in Ukraine. This deal is part of a broader strategy to resolve the ongoing three-year conflict that began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
However, the meeting quickly deteriorated into a tense shouting match. Trump and Vance accused Zelenskyy of failing to show adequate gratitude for the support the U.S. has extended to Ukraine. In a dramatic moment, Trump warned Zelenskyy that he was "gambling with World War III" if he did not secure a peace deal.
On the eve of Vance's visit, Vermont Governor Phil Scott issued a statement welcoming the Vice President and his family to the state. "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 Republican governor stated. He encouraged residents to join him in welcoming the Vance family and hoped they would have the opportunity to experience the unique charm of Vermont.
As of now, Vance's team has not provided any immediate comment regarding the protests, further adding to the atmosphere of tension surrounding his visit and the ongoing political discourse related to U.S. foreign policy and support for Ukraine.
This incident highlights the growing divide in American politics, especially regarding the administration's foreign relations strategy and its implications for global peace.
