HARDWICK, MONTPELIER – This past Saturday, Oct. 18, Vermont saw a record-breaking number of over 42,000 people, or 6.5% of the population, participating in No Kings events across the state, according to Indivisible Vermont. National media reported nearly seven million people participated in the second round of No Kings protests, organized in response to what some see as the current administration’s drift toward authoritarian rule.
No Kings Day events on June 15 saw an estimated turnout of five million people nationwide, with around 260 in Hardwick.
Katherine Sims and the Greensboro United Church of Christ, a local contingent traveled by bus to the Montpelier event.
photo by Raymonda Parchment
The bus departed from the Hardwick Fire Station, with carpool attendees following behind, after music and brief remarks by Sims and event organizer Carlotta Hayes of Indivisible Hardwick.
Sims said, “Friends, thank you for showing up. Today we travel together in love and courage, to stand for what’s right, to witness to the power of community, and to remind Vermont that our hope is stronger than fear. Let’s carry that spirit with us, on the bus, in the crowd, and when we come home.”
The Montpelier event saw a large turnout, with U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-Vt.) among the speakers of the day.
The rally centered in part on trans rights and healthcare with its lineup of speakers. Protest songs, performed by the Solidarity Singers of Central Vermont, served as a backtrack to the events.
Senator Welch’s remarks initially centered on the ongoing government shutdown, to resounding applause. “So the president, and his henchmen, they’re accusing us of being against America. But you know what? They got it wrong.
e love democracy, and we love America. And by God we are going to save America from Kings and authoritarians. That is what we are here to do,” said Welch.
Representative Balint began her remarks with an emphatic shout, “No kings! No dictators! No kings ever!”
“Senator Welch said, they’re trying to reframe this.
nd that’s ’cause they’re scared. They know that we understand that we have the power. That it’s in our hands. So, they say we’re not patriots. They say that we hate America.
“We don’t hate America, Donald Trump. We just can’t stand what you have done to our country. We are disgusted that you’re acting like a dictator. We’re heartsick that you have pitted Americans against each other. We’re angry that you are terrorizing our cities and our neighborhoods.
nd we reject your fear mongering, and your hatred, and your grift.
And we know we deserve so much better.
o much better. So no, Mr. President, we don’t hate our country. We love it with a deep, abiding passion. We believe in the ideals of equality before the law. We believe that in this nation, you can embody your full potential, because we embrace freedom.
nd we embrace freedom of speech. And we embrace freedom of assembly. That’s why we’re out here today, Mr. President. To support our core ideals, abide by the people, for the people, of the people.”
Balint used the mythic hero’s journey as a metaphor in the second half of her remarks, drawing parallels that successfully energized the crowd. The first step of the hero’s journey is answering the call, she said, “That is what you have done today, you are answering the call.”
photo by Raymonda Parchment
VT 50501’s Geri Peterson pointed out ongoing attacks to the transgender community, with 50501 associates handing out full size transgender flags at the conclusion of her remarks.
“Trans people in America are living under siege. Our names are debated on the house floor. Our medical care is bartered away in spending bills. Our flags are treated like contraband. Our existence, our basic biology, is turned into a political talking point. Behind every headline is another person, trying to survive another day” said Peterson.
In a recent VTDigger article, she estimated the crowd in Montpelier could have been in excess of 10,000 people.
Among the Montpelier crowd were several local faces, including Orleans District 4 Representative Leanne Harple, with her husband and two children.
Area attendees cited similar reasons for being there. “I was concerned that these are crimes against humanity, not just a few, but all. Against everything we stand for in our Constitution, our Declaration of Independence,” Shelley Jungwirth said. “You can’t even name them all in the time we have.”
Riding on the bus were Don and Mabel Houghton of Craftsbury. “This whole thing makes me angry every day,” began Don. “I’m absolutely angry every day. This is a way of dealing with it, and it really does feel good to be with other people, the fact that they said, you are not alone, alright? We’re not alone.” His wife, Mabel, agreed, “It does provide some relief, of all the things you’re thinking about every day.”
“And hope,” she added.
50501 Vermont, which serves as an umbrella organization for Vermont activism, listed information for 54 Vermont events across the state on its website.
Seven events were held in Burlington, with three being marches that converged at noon in City Hall Park and three more were held in South Burlington.
Raymonda Parchment is a Hardwick Gazette reporter. She recently graduated from Vermont State University - Castleton with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She is a strong supporter of freedom of speech, and the right to publish information, opinions, and ideas without censorship or restraint. She is a lifelong lover of the written word, and is excited to join the team as a staff member.
