older liberal women holding signs that labeled Vance a “traitor” and urged him to “go ski in Russia.” One sign read, \u201cHave you no shame? Support Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Counter-protesters also showed up, with pickup trucks displaying “Make America Great Again” flags on the opposite side of the road. According to a report from the New York Post, some counter-protesters engaged in a shouting match with the anti-Vance crowd outside the resort.<\/p>\n
The protests intensified, with some demonstrators camping near a ski lift, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Vance family. Although the protests had been planned earlier in the week, they escalated following the heated Oval Office confrontation, where Zelensky publicly argued with both Vance and Trump during a visit intended to finalize a mineral rights deal. The deal was ultimately canceled, and Zelensky was reportedly escorted out of the White House.<\/p>\n
Vermont Republican Governor Phil Scott urged protesters to consider Vance\u2019s family trip. \u201cI 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,\u201d Scott stated. \u201cPlease join me in welcoming them to Vermont and hoping they have an opportunity to experience what makes our state and Vermonters so special.\u201d<\/p>\n
Initially, Vermonters had planned to protest the federal government cuts implemented by the Trump administration. Protest organizer Ginny Sassaman of the Indivisible Calais group expressed concerns about potential losses to Social Security, Medicaid, and environmental protections.<\/p>\n
Trump and Republicans have repeatedly stated that they do not plan to cut entitlement benefits but will instead focus on eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.<\/p>\n
The diverse coalition of activists included members from the LGBTQ+ community. Organizer Katayoun Lam shared her concerns about new policies affecting trans individuals and the fear surrounding ICE raids.<\/p>\n
During the heated Oval Office meeting with Zelensky, Vance took a firm stance in front of international media, even calling out the wartime leader for not expressing gratitude for U.S. aid. \u201cMr. President, with respect, I think it\u2019s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media,\u201d Vance told Zelensky. \u201cRight now, you guys are forcing conscripts to the front lines because you have manpower problems. You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
older liberal women holding signs that labeled Vance a “traitor” and urged him to “go ski in Russia.” One sign read, \u201cHave you no shame? Support Ukraine.\u201d Counter-protesters also showed up, with pickup trucks displaying “Make America Great Again” flags on the opposite side of the road. According to a report from the New York…<\/p>\n