Waitsfield, Vermont saw a surge in protestors gathering near a local ski resort scheduled to host Vice President JD Vance and his family for a weekend getaway, following a contentious meeting in the Oval Office regarding Ukraine.
Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets, brandishing signs in solidarity with Ukraine, while others displayed Palestinian flags or advocated for immigrant rights. The protests spilled over to various locations, with groups lining both sides of Route 100 in Waitsfield.
The planned demonstrations received an unexpected surge in participants following a heated exchange between Vance, President Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the previous day. Vance’s criticism of Zelenskyy for challenging Trump’s views on Russian President Vladimir Putin further fueled the protests.
Despite the uproar, Vance and his family arrived in Vermont as scheduled, intending to enjoy some skiing at Sugarbush Resort in Warren. A handful of peaceful protestors gathered at the resort on Saturday, according to a statement from resort spokesman John Bleh. He declined to comment further, directing inquiries to the White House.
Efforts to reach White House officials for comment were unsuccessful as of Sunday. Meanwhile, Republican Governor Phil Scott issued a statement urging Vermont residents to welcome Vance and his family with respect, emphasizing their presence for a family trip despite any political disagreements.
In a sign of divided sentiments, a smaller group of supporters for Vance and President Trump organized a “welcome rally” alongside the protesters. The conflicting displays of support and dissent highlighted the political tensions surrounding Vance’s visit to Vermont.