In a stunning display of civic engagement, the Mad River Valley in Vermont became the epicenter of a massive protest against Vice President JD Vance’s visit to the Sugarbush Ski Resort in Warren on March 1. What began as a ski trip for Vance quickly morphed into a battleground of ideologies, with Vermonters and visitors alike converging to voice their concerns on a myriad of pressing issues.
The protest, orchestrated by groups like Indivisible Calais and Indivisible Mad River Valley, saw a sea of people brandishing signs and flags along Main Street in Waitsfield. From democracy to climate change to LGBTQ+ rights, the messages were as diverse as the crowd itself. The atmosphere crackled with electricity as honking cars joined in, amplifying the collective voice of dissent.
Ginny Sassaman, an organizer from Indivisible Calais, encapsulated the sentiment of many present, expressing fears about the erosion of essential social safety nets under the current administration. “Democracy is in peril,” she remarked, emphasizing the urgency of civic action in these turbulent times. The palpable sense of unease pervading the crowd underscored the gravity of the moment.
Tisa Rennau, another passionate organizer, highlighted the community’s outrage over Vance’s recreational visit amidst a backdrop of widespread federal funding cuts and geopolitical turmoil. The recent clash in the Oval Office with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had further fueled the flames of dissent, drawing attention to America’s shifting role on the global stage.
As the throngs of protesters swelled, a diverse tapestry of voices emerged, each echoing a unique concern. Katayoun Lam, representing 50501, shared her apprehensions about the administration’s policies affecting LGBTQ+ rights and immigration. Her poignant words underscored the deeply personal stakes involved, painting a vivid picture of the human impact behind the policy decisions.
Former Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman lent his voice to the chorus of discontent, wielding a homemade sign that cut to the core of the matter. His message, “efficiency, sure, but not carnage, hate, and lies,” encapsulated the prevailing sentiment among the disillusioned crowd. Zuckerman’s presence added a touch of gravity to the proceedings, drawing attention to the real-world consequences of political decisions.
In a neighboring town of Warren, a parallel protest unfolded outside the Pitcher Inn, where Vance had initially planned to stay. The gathering, organized by the Vermont Coalition for Palestinian Liberation, Cooperation Vermont, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, took on a distinctly international flavor. Flags, signs, and chants underscored a deep-seated solidarity with the Palestinian cause, contrasting sharply with the pro-Trump and Vance sentiments across the street.
Michelle Eddleman McCormick, an activist with the coalition, articulated the group’s demands with clarity and conviction, calling for a reevaluation of U.S. priorities in the Middle East. The clash of ideologies outside the Pitcher Inn painted a vivid tableau of competing visions for America’s role in the world, mirroring the broader geopolitical tensions at play.
As the day unfolded, tensions peaked at the Sugarbush resort, where a face-off between protesters and a pro-Trump motorcade unfolded. Emotions ran high as heated exchanges reverberated through the air, underscoring the deep-seated divisions gripping the nation. Dan Vidali, a Montpelier resident, succinctly captured the essence of the protest, highlighting the imperative of holding power to account.
Throughout the day, the protesters’ voices rang out loud and clear, a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of democracy. While the mountain slopes remained a site of leisure, the streets below pulsated with the heartbeat of a nation in flux. As the sun set on the Mad River Valley, the echoes of dissent lingered in the crisp Vermont air, a reminder of the enduring power of collective action.
