Hundreds of protesters lined roadways near a Vermont ski resort on Saturday, demonstrating against Vice President JD Vance’s visit just a day after a contentious Oval Office exchange over Ukraine.
Many demonstrators carried signs supporting Ukraine, while others waved Palestinian flags or banners advocating for immigrant rights. Protesters gathered at multiple locations, including both sides of Route 100 in Waitsfield.
The demonstrations, planned days in advance, gained further momentum after Vance’s heated discussion with President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Vance criticized Zelenskyy for challenging Trump’s stance on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s credibility.
“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, speaking to WCAX-TV.
Vance and his family arrived in Vermont ahead of the weekend with plans to ski at Sugarbush Resort in Warren.
A small number of protesters gathered at the resort on Saturday.
“There were a handful of protestors at the resort throughout the day, but all were peaceful and none were disruptive,” resort spokesman John Bleh said in an email on Sunday. He declined to comment further, referring inquiries to the White House.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Republican Gov. Phil Scott issued a statement on Thursday welcoming Vance and his family to Vermont, urging residents to show respect despite political differences.
“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,” Scott’s statement read.
A smaller group of pro-Vance and pro-Trump demonstrators also staged a “welcome rally” at the resort.
